Designing a life that lights me up

Exactly one year ago today, I sat down with a blank greeting card and a pen and wrote a note to myself, mind mapping my personal vision for the next 5 years. As I charted my course, I boldly set my intent on the dreams I had kept bottled up for decades. You know, the stuff I REALLY wanted. Not the check-the-box career/life goals. Not the 'Achieve this by 30' list. Instead, I boldly mapped out the stuff that made my heart light up. The goals that made my ego nervous and fearful of rejection and failure, but left me saying, "I can't die not having tried this!"

I sealed up the card and wrote on the back of the envelope, "Do Not Open Until 10/30/2017" Well, here I am exactly one year later, sitting in a cafe in Rome, with the card in my hands...

Advice from 2016 Katie: "Find creative liberation! Put my values at the center of all I do. Breakaway from things that keep me separate from knowing my truth. Commit with clarity and confidence to the work I am most inspired by and move forward with what/who I can and joyfully let go of what I cannot. I'm ready! So ready!" My mind map included: "Start my own company... women's empowerment... global impact... travel... freedom"

Within one year of setting my intentions, my life has completely shifted to align with my vision. Within two weeks, I created a women's survey that reached 150 women globally. Two months later, I facilitated my first women's leadership workshop. Within six months, I launched a website and started SIGNE, my company focused on women's leadership development. Within eight months, I landed my first women's leadership project. Today, it's a bit surreal to be sitting in Rome after hosting and facilitating a women's summit for Levi Strauss in Brussels last week...EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER.

At SIGNE, we ignite the curiosity, courage and confidence women need to amplify their impact in the world and live a life that lights them up completely. We provide the network, insights and resources needed to clarify and crystalize their true purpose, surface priorities and boldly take action.

How are you designing a life that lights you up?  And are you creating the conditions the women in your organization need to thrive?