Best of 2009: Learning experience

[I'm participating in Gwen Bell's Best of 2009 Blog Challenge, in case you're all like, what's with the theme?]

Learning experience. What was a lesson you learned this year that changed you?

From a year defined by its learning experiences, it’s tough to pick one. So here are the top three lessons I learned in 2009.

• There are a whole bunch of people out there to whom I make sense, and vice versa. Please believe me when I say I had not thought this possible. You people make my world a better place.
• It’s possible to have a no-harm, no-foul parting of ways. I love this one. Just because things don’t work out does not mean we have to be embarrassed about it. I didn’t know this. It’s great!
• Asking for what I want and need is not only permissible, it’s adviseable. Not to mention much easier than hoping people will read my mind. And nicer than being crushed when it, uh, doesn’t happen.

Here’s to simple, basic concepts. Like fellowship, mutual respect and honesty.

Best of 2009: Web tool

[I'm participating in Gwen Bell's Best of 2009 Blog Challenge, in case you're all like, what's with the theme?]

Web tool. It came into your work flow this year and now you couldn’t live without it. It has simplified or improved your online experience.

Hands down, it’s Freshbooks. Their tagline is accurate. They make billing painless! It’s a very intuitive tool, super-easy to use, and very reasonably priced. Bonus: their staff is unbelievably pleasant. Almost too good to be true, yes. But true all the same. J’adore Freshbooks and their awesome team.

Best of 2009: Startup

[I'm participating in Gwen Bell's Best of 2009 Blog Challenge, in case you're all like, what's with the theme?]

Startup. What’s a business that you found this year that you love? Who thought it up? What makes it special?

This shop. Gorgeous. Whimsical. So exactly my speed. Vintage frou-frou with a dash of industrial no-nonsense. Tiny birdcages? Octopus necklaces? Yes, please.

Best of 2009: Project

[I'm participating in Gwen Bell's Best of 2009 Blog Challenge, in case you're all like, what's with the theme?]

Project. What did you start this year that you’re proud of?

I started viewing life differently. Which made me start approaching it differently. More honest. More open. Fewer layers. Less bureaucracy. Asking for what I want. Asking for what I need. Allowing silence. Settling into my own skin.

It’s changed things. When I remember my mental space from a year back, it feels like I”m wearing a cheap, ill-fitting suit. With a sweat moustache. This year? It’s about what I’m doing, who I’m loving, how I’m moving through the world. Totally different.

I’m proud, yeah, but more than that, I’m simply grateful.

[PS, I never get tired of that photo. Taken by yours truly at a brewery in Wellington, NZ.]

Best of 2009: New person

[I'm participating in Gwen Bell's Best of 2009 Blog Challenge, in case you're all like, what's with the theme?]

New person. She came into your life and turned it upside down. He went out of his way to provide incredible customer service.Who is your unsung hero of 2009?

Nothing major ever happens as the result of just one person. It’s a group effort. And this year has been nothing if not major. So, here (in alphabetical order) are the new-to-me-this-year people who contributed to making my world bigger and better.

• Colleen Wainwright (technically falls under 2008, but she greatly impacted my 2009): Colleen gave me the mother of all jumpstarts at the end of 2008 with her kindness, honesty and mad expertise. I adore her, and that’s that.
• Daniel Thurston: Daniel is the older twin I’ve never met (he prefers “Vetertwin”). It’s complicated: we’ve decided our parents dumped him on the North Island of New Zealand and then settled in Los Angeles, where I was born eight years later. (I am the “Twingenue.” Obviously.) We’ve got a couple of really cool projects going on, in addition to some rather obnoxious and constant banter on Twitter.
• Danielle LaPorte: Speaking of jumpstarts, Danielle’s client and gig referrals did more for my business than anything else could have. (I’m glad I’ve already got a firstborn, or my sense of justice would force me to promise one to her.) I’ve also picked up more than a few pointers on badassness from her.
• Dyana Valentine: Dyana does this thing wherein she brings your pencil-drawing dreams to life. I don’t really understand it. (It’s like that A-ha video, but better.) Bottom line: she’s helped me to be more, without feeling apologetic about it. Which is huge, and deserves its own post or book or feature-length film.
• Kelly Sims: Kelly and I worked as a team for a good chunk of this year, which in itself made my world bigger and better. He taught me a lot about myself, about work, and about how kind people can be. Because he is one of the kindest around.
• Sarah Bray: Have you ever just felt an instant kinship with someone? Sarah is one of those people for me. She also happens to be an incredible businesswoman, and I can’t wait to learn more from her than I already have.
• Tamara Komuniecki: We followed one another on Twitter. Then we met, and could not stop talking. [Longest. Breakfast. Ever.] Then she hired me to write for Long Beach Magazine. Now: good friends, with Top Secret Fun Project set to launch in 2010.

People. You are fantastic. Thank you for inspiring me, helping me, shaping me.

photo courtesy of left-hand.