My review of 2019: trial and error and what I learned from it

My review of 2019: trial and error and what I learned from it

What a year!

But that probably applies to every year that has passed, and that's why I want to try to write a review of the year today. Of course, I always use the time between the years to reflect on my year and think about what was good and what was not so good, I also look for the areas that I would do differently today and then write down my annual goals for the next year.

For me, 2019 was a year full of trials and errors and I definitely had some big learnings.

Topic Online Shop

That was my big project at the beginning of 2019. Up until then, I had a WordPress site with a WooCommerce shop and lots of problems with it. At the end of 2018, these constant problems almost drove me crazy.

The ordering process didn't work very often, and sometimes certain items couldn't be selected and therefore couldn't be ordered. It was very tedious and, what's more, December is usually a big exhibition and market time.

So the decision was clear for me - I want a new shop system, I don't have the time or the nerves to constantly deal with problems in the shop. I did hire someone to take care of the technical updates, but that definitely needed to be expanded and that was too much of a hassle for me.

Additionally, I also wanted to try a new system because my point of view is that if I always follow the same path and do the same things, nothing will change.

What then began is a never-ending story and (unfortunately) still has no "happy" ending. But what I can say with certainty is that I have learned A LOT!

I don't want to get lost in the details, but I initially wanted to switch to Shopify. The system really appealed to me from the start, I really liked how easy it was to use and the way it looked. But in the end I ended up with Shopware and I still haven't really warmed to it.

If you want to know what will happen here in 2020, then I can trigger my next article, in which I will explain it.

Topic Marketing

Here, too, I have tried a few things and received more or less helpful advice from different people. I have tried many things and learned a few things on this topic.

Topic: Self-management

In October I joined the HSO group of Claudia Kauscheder and it's all about self-organization in the home office. Since I set up my workshop or studio and my office in our house, it was an opportunity for me to network with others who work like me. At the same time, Claudia gives weekly input on how to organize yourself better and how to approach and work through your issues.

This is a big issue for me!

Since I am a very creative person, I always have tons of ideas buzzing around in my head. But sorting them out and getting them out there is something I sometimes struggle with.

That's why it's really good for me to bring a little more structure into my working day and make better progress. In addition, exchanging ideas with others is always exciting and helpful, and I can only recommend it to everyone.

Topic Trade Fairs & Markets

I learned a lot here, too. I had actually already gained some insights in 2018, but because I didn't reflect on them properly, I dragged them over into the next year.

Trade fairs and markets are a whole other topic for me. They are very time-consuming and very stressful for me. I always have a lot of lead time to prepare an exhibition because I always make my rings in many different sizes and never know exactly which products will be the most popular.

There will definitely be a lot of changes in 2020.

Topic: Sports and Energy

In 2018 I did a lot of yoga, even every day for the first six months, then it was minimized a bit because of our summer vacation and then less and less towards the end of the year. Well, who doesn't know that?

Unfortunately, I didn't start yoga again at full speed at the beginning of 2019. I do attend a weekly yoga class, which is very good for me. But the exercises at home complemented that very well in 2018. I missed that in 2019, and unfortunately I had to realize that in my physical review of the year.

This has caused my back pain to become more pronounced again. This will definitely change again in 2020.

Last but not least:

Theme Family, Leisure & Me Time

Although I have put this area at the end, it is actually the main theme around which all other topics in our lives revolve.

My two boys both changed schools in 2019 and what was uncertain at the beginning of the year was resolved very nicely over the course of the spring and in the fall they both settled in well at their new school.

After 4 years at high school, my eldest switched to the HTL civil and structural engineering. Very demanding and lots of hours, lots of new things. But it's fine for him!

My younger son moved from elementary school to high school and that has also worked out very well. Despite initial concerns about moving from a rural elementary school (very manageable in terms of traffic and size) to a city high school (a much longer journey to school using public transport and walking and a big new school), he feels at home and has made new friends!

This year we finally implemented our plan to renovate the bathroom and are very happy with it, even though it took half the summer.

My husband and I treated ourselves to two short breaks throughout the year. It was very good for us both times and we definitely want to do it again in 2020. Since our children are no longer so small, it's really easy to do.

At the end of 2016, I had made a firm resolution to take 4-5 creative breaks for myself every year. Individual days with different themes, whether pottery, cooking, new techniques, writing, etc. Unfortunately, I have to admit that this also fell by the wayside in 2019.

My conclusion for 2019

Tried a lot and learned a lot.

Looking back at my business, I can say that I tried and tested a lot in 2019 and learned a lot as a result. I would have liked to have avoided some things, but I see it as only through these experiences that I can now improve everything and plan my path more precisely.

A mega-important insight at the end:

Listen to your gut feeling and don't let yourself be manipulated by the opinions of others. Ask 10 people and you'll get 10 opinions. But it's not important what others think and do, what's important is how YOU feel about your decisions. Because only you live with them.

The second part will follow here in a few days -> Preview and plans for 2020

See you soon!