Progress over perfection.

Oh, a new year. A clean slate. A chance to get back in gear and do the things you wanted to do last year that didn’t make the cut on the priority list the year before (…or the year before).

As I sit here and reflect on what has hands down been the best year of my life, I realize that one of the reasons it can hold this title is because I incorporated change and goals (aka resolutions) into my life regularly.

I mean, why are resolutions only once a year? Don’t we all need to forgive ourselves (and others) regularly and give ourselves a clean slate with each new morning? If you slip or fail, take it as an opportunity to recalculate, reflect and grow through it. Progress over perfection.

This was the first year I didn’t make a list on January 1st of the things I wanted to change. Why? Because I am in the midst of working on my goals and toward the life I envision for myself already.

This year was packed full of some of my favorite milestones. Some were big, some were small and together they created a beautiful painting of one year in my life.

2017 was my first full year as a mom…a role I honestly never knew I would love this much. The person this child brings out in me is truly indescribable and giving that much of my heart to one tiny little human opened up so many other areas of my soul – – areas that were more necessary than I realized for my own growth into who I am supposed to be.

Will this role require constant room for improvement and growth? You better believe it. Will I ever be “perfect”? Well, that would be a joke. However, I will continue to strive to be better than I was yesterday and to forgive myself for the days when I am not “my best”. After all, tomorrow is another day.

It was my first year in real estate. A move that I was so afraid to make, but one that has been so rewarding. I feel like this career was made for me. I LOVE what I do and am so thankful God gave me the courage to make this move. My background in PR and Marketing and my obsession with all things HGTV definetly help and my love for helping others and the ability to be my own boss and incorporate philanthropy in along the way, is the icing on the cake. Not to mention, this was Trevor and I’s first step towards Wheelhouse!

Have I mastered everything there is to know about real estate? No chance. Do I vow to continually work my hardest for each of my clients and take every opportunity I can to learn and grow. You bet.

I consistently worked out – maybe not as frequently as I would have liked but I stayed the course and didn’t go months at a time without stepping foot into a gym (minus the 6 weeks postpartum where I simply snuggled my new baby boy and navigated this new world of parenthood with Trevor). I did yoga, I took spin classes, barre classes, HIIT classes, you name it. I explored what worked for me – which, as of now, is still all of the above.

Is there room to step up my game and hit the gym more often? Always. Should I also compliment this lifestyle with a healthier diet? Duh! I’m pretty sure this one rings true for every one of us…amiright?!

I read more + listened to more podcasts – devotionals, self-help, business and real estate related primarily. No, surprisingly I did not read any parenting books and we’re doing just fine. Crazy, I know (I could write a whole separate blog on that).

I took more pictures. Some of you are probably thinking – “Woman! You already took plenty of photos!” Well, you know what? I love pictures. They make my soul happy. I love the memories they hold and I love creating something beautiful. Between listing photos, closing photos and photos of Banks, I have put my Nikon (and iPhone) to good use and then some.

I created a blog! I love to write. I wouldn’t be surprised if I wrote a book one day. I am not your average “blogger”. I use it as an outlet, I use it as a platform to encourage and speak to others in the masses and I use it to save Facebook from my long-winded posts. I think the right people will read it and don’t think too much on how to build my audience or followers. I am authentically and unapologetically myself and wouldn’t have it any other way.

I expressed gratitude. If not daily, it was pretty darn close. Whenever I can, I like to be the one to lay Banks down so I can hold him while I meditate + pray over our family, our work, our home and all of our many blessings. I started to put my phone away when I did this so I could have a moment for just this and it is something I look forward to every day.

So, now is time to recalculate, reflect and continue to grow. Do I have things I want to do in 2018? Absolutely. Are there areas of my life that I can improve upon? You know it. All I’m saying is, progress over perfection. If we did have to pick just one resolution, maybe it could be as simple as continually making it a priority to ensure we’re living our best life and being our best selves.

What does that look like for you?

As I prepare for another wonderful year, I want to say thank you to all of you who stood by my side during this year of growth and joy. To everyone I had the honor of working with on the sale and/or purchase of a home, thank you for letting me be a part of your story. And to Trevor + Banks (+ Gamble) – here’s to another year of gratitude for all of life’s many blessings and to taking the next steps toward our big dreams.

Happy New Year from our family to yours! Let’s all make it one to remember!

Cheers,

LH

Esther 4:14 – Perhaps this is the moment for which you were created.