In this blog post, I want to do something a little different and take you behind the scenes of my business. I’m reflecting on the first three months of the year – what’s gone well, what I’ve learned, and the moments that have stayed with me.
Because in business, it’s easy to stay focused on what’s next. The next goal, the next launch, the next milestone. But sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is pause and reflect.
Not to slow down for the sake of it – but to gain clarity, direction, and a stronger sense of purpose.
So let’s dive in.
Why reflection matters
It’s very easy in business to stay in constant motion – ticking boxes, chasing goals, and always thinking ahead.
But reflection creates space.
It helps you notice:
What’s actually working
What isn’t quite landing
What you might be overlooking
Those small pauses give you the chance to move forward with more intention, rather than just momentum.
And that’s exactly what this blog is about.
My Q1 wins (and what they taught me)
I want to share three key wins from my first quarter of the year – not just what happened, but what each experience taught me.
As you read, I’d also invite you to reflect on your own wins. Big or small, they all count.
Maybe even grab a notebook and jot a few down as you go.
Win 1: Highland Wintering Retreat
The first win was launching my Highland Wintering retreat – a week-long adventure and wellbeing experience in the Scottish Highlands.
I hadn’t run a retreat in over a year, so I felt nervous putting this out into the world again.
And I’ll be honest – the self-doubt showed up loudly:
“What if it fails?”
“What if no one signs up?”
“What if it’s not good enough?”
It’s a vulnerable place – having an idea, feeling excited by it, putting a price on it and then sharing it publicly.
But I trusted the process I’ve built, leaned into my instincts, and stayed committed to the vision.
And something amazing happened – we sold out in just five weeks. My fastest retreat sell-out yet.
The right people showed up.
Lesson: Be brave. Call in the right people. Trust yourself.
And maybe ask yourself – what idea are you sitting on that just needs you to take the first step?
Win 2: ILM Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching
My second win was completing my ILM Level 7 in Executive Coaching and Mentoring.
This is something I completed alongside my role as a performance coach in UK sport.
To be honest, it wasn’t easy. Most of my coaching style has been developed through experience — through a master’s degree, 15 years of running businesses, and a lot of self-directed learning.
But I knew I wanted to formalise that learning and challenge myself further.
And what I found was powerful: even when you feel experienced, there is always more to learn.
The qualification gave me new frameworks, new perspectives, and a renewed confidence in my coaching practice.
Lesson: Never stop learning, growing, and developing. And don’t be afraid to formalise what you already know.
Win 3: Ski Touring Adventures
My third win is more personal — starting ski touring.
I joined the Women’s Alpine Adventure Club in France and took part in a ski touring course. For anyone unfamiliar, ski touring is exactly that – hiking up mountains and skiing down, often off-piste and in remote environments.
It was challenging, inspiring, and completely outside my comfort zone at times.
But what really stood out wasn’t just the skiing — it was the people and the environment. Being surrounded by capable, inspiring women who made everything feel possible.
And even though this wasn’t strictly “business,” it absolutely belongs in the conversation.
Because how I feel in my life directly impacts how I show up in my work.
Adventure fuels creativity, energy, and perspective.
Lesson: Adventure matters. It fuels everything else.
Looking back on Q1
When I step back and look at the first quarter as a whole, a few themes stand out:
Be brave, even when things feel vulnerable
Trust the process and break things down
Make space for freedom, adventure, and energy
These aren’t just business lessons, they’re life lessons that shape how I work, coach, and lead.
So now I want to turn it back to you.
What are your wins from Q1?
They don’t need to be huge. They might be personal, professional, or somewhere in between.
But ask yourself:
What did they teach you?
How did they make you feel?
What do you want to carry forward into Q2?
What’s next
In the Big Sky Business Collective, we’ve recently reviewed Q1 and planned for Q2 — and I’m genuinely excited about what’s ahead for all of our fantastic members.
If you’re building a business and want to do it in a way that supports balance, freedom, and growth (without burnout), I’d love you to join us. Details here.
And I also have an upcoming event: Friday 1st May — Business Strategy Day (Sussex)
A full day focused on business strategy, wellbeing, and adventure — including value ladder design and product ecosystem planning.
If that sounds like something you’d benefit from, I’d love to see you there. All the info is here
Whether you’re building a business, leading a team, or just navigating life — taking time to pause and reflect is never wasted.
Sarah.
