54: Using Your Most Valuable Asset and Finding What Fills Your Soul with Kristy Dickerson

Can intentionally focusing for 90 days really change your life?  How can you determine what makes you come alive? And what if you feel like you’re in a season - not of hustle or growth - but just survival? 

Entrepreneur, single mom of three boys, author, and CEO Kristy Dickerson shares her business  journey with us as well as why she uses both digital and analog planners. If you’re struggling with where you are in life and need some reassurance, Kristy is the voice you need in your earbuds today. 

Kristy and I met when we were both writers for a business photography magazine. Kristy was a wedding photographer for seven years then began teaching finance, business, and productivity in the wedding photography industry. 

She met a graphic designer, Jenny,  and shared with her that she wanted to write a book. Jenny shared that she wanted to create a planner. They put the two ideas together and created the STARTplanner in May 2015. They were featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Inc. magazines.   

Kristy has been a speaker at Harvard University and The George Washington University. 

In 2018, she took time off for personal reasons, but her goal for 2019 is to put herself out there by being on more podcasts. 

Kristy is quick to remind us that her career has been built in layers. She also has found the value is saying “no” when necessary.

The energy you have - what it is that makes you tick - needs to be restored.  And you have to give yourself time to do that.

Kristy’s planner comes in Hustle, Fancy Pants, and Bling options. They also recently launched “90 Days of Start,” which is designed for someone who uses a digital calendar or has a long-running to-do list. 

Kristy uses both types of planner. Here are the benefits as she sees them for the analog planner:

1. You start learning how to plan with a tangible agenda a la elementary school.
2. You can physically check off that you’re done with an item.
3. You have accountability because that “not-done” item stares you in the face.
4. You can visualize the week. 

Give yourself space and grace. Give yourself time to figure out what’s going on in your life and make seasonal changes. You may just need to survive right now.

Don’t go it alone. Ask your business partner for help. Find a counselor.  Check in on your health. How are you doing physically and mentally?

Don’t add stressors where you don’t need to. Learn and carry those lessons forward. What helps you rest? Is it going to the gym, being outside, painting, journaling?

• “Our most valuable asset really is time.”  - Kristy Dickerson

• “With every decision that we make from a time perspective, there’s an opportunity cost on things we could be pouring our hearts and lives into.” - Kristy Dickerson

• “You may not be in a growth season.” - Kristy Dickerson

• “Empathy is a great, great teacher.” - Kristy Dickerson

• “Own that there are days you just need to be.” - Kristy Dickerson

• “Use resources for inspiration not imitation.” - Kristy Dickerson

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This episode was originally published on shamelesslyfeminine.com/episode54.