About a year ago I have posted my plans for 2015 on this blog so today I would like to share my 2015 summary but also plans for 2016. It is now my tradition to share those annual updates, but also use the end of each year as a small milestone. I do not make resolutions, I act on the things I see missing from my final ‘end-of-year’ summary.

2015 was a year of people. I say this because normally I would focus on my projects, actions, achievements and new insights. This year was very unique in that I have used the silence and solitude of 2014 to establish new friendships and learn to build relationships differently. Up until now, my friendships were based in the fast moving world. Many of my friends were quick, abrupt, very active and often forgetful. Very often busy. In 2015 I have focussed on making time for my friends and met a few very interesting people who live this life philosophy every day. It feels like all the improvements and background work in preparations for university back in 2014 freed up a lot of my time in 2015.

Spring 2015 was slow and focussed on my mental wellbeing. I did a Reiki course and learned to meditate more effectively. I cut out a lot of noise and distractions and I let it a lot of new sources of information, energy and sunshine. I focussed most of my work on the local community – probably as a result of my 2014 ‘Wantage Tales Documentary’ which opened a lot of doors to very interesting people too. I slowed down in my online work and spend all my free time outdoors, mainly in our new allotment. The allotment was a project which also helped me get back to writing and to photography. Going out and enjoying the microcosmos of nature was exactly what I needed after years of fast life, work, quick lessons and well, rather challenging events. Allotment became my personal retreat – one I could enjoy every single day. Together with my lovely English Springer Spaniel we would drop off my son at school and walk back home with a stop for dog’s morning run and my morning visit to the allotment no. 108. Spring was still wet and cold but already full of flowers (I planned those in November 2014). I think it was the first compliment from my allotment neighbour that actually reminded me that as a child I was really good in gardening. At work, I spent my spring working with my ongoing clients but a new theme emerged from my services – many of my new clients started asking about my take on social media and business running and so I have helped them more in form of personal coaching than actual social media work. I was still running the Minecraft Club but I have also volunteered to co-chair the Wantage Summer Festival as it was doomed to fade away after 20 years of grassroots work in showcasing the best of our community. It had to be done.

I have spent the entire summer 2015 going back to my very own roots – my childhood fun with nature and outdoors. I registered for our local running club, started and miserably failed to complete the 5K training course but I did start running. I just discovered that I like running on my own. I need a lot of time on my own, with nature. I cannot tell you how colourful and yummy my summer was! I spent all my precious moments away from the screen planting flowers and vegetables, experimenting and finally bringing baskets of fresh food and bouquets of colour home. I blogged about most of it. It became an integral part of my lifestyle, of who I am. I have also started developing my BlogALife training – back then still as a programme, not yet an online thing. I have worked with five clients coaching them based on my personal approach developed during the last 10 years of work but quickly realised that there is so much work to be done that I might need a new format.

I did not travel much in 2015 because we have decided to spend all our time preparing for a very important conference – Minecon 2015 in London. Minecraft Conventions usually happen in the US so having one down the road was a treat. Registering for tickets that sold out in 3 minutes was pure luck. I don’t regret betting on this one weekend in summer at all – it was by far the best industry event I have attended in my life. I have never been to a conference that would attract an equal amount of men and women, people of all ages represented equally, all solution and focus driven. I have never been to an event where attendees are driven to it mainly by the younger generation (on the first day we have met a lot of parents pointing out that they are here just for the kids) just to see all the grown-ups leaving the event converted into Minecraft fans, but also reminded about the inner child in them. I have never been to an event so well articulating underlying funding principles of a brand, product, an idea. I loved everything about Minecon 2015. I have learned loads about the practical applications of the game for a social change, for publishing, for development, for education and for fun. I have learned so much about people. I had tears in my eyes in the car leaving the venue when my son pointed out that the school should last two days so weekends for events like this one could last five days. As always, he was right.

In autumn 2015 I was taken back to a very intense week in Poland, revisiting everything I have learned about political systems, fight for a better life and better family. All that on the top of Solidarity Academy – work with a brilliant group of aspiring bloggers and journalists from all around Europe. I do a lot of teaching but those trips to join a group which applies for work in practice, in the field at the end of the week is just very touching. One of my students was at the Hungarian border reporting on the refugee crisis the week after our session and following her on Facebook was simply humbling. (Note: we had many amazing teachers, I am only happy that I could contribute with my set of skills). Having my next portrait photo taken was exciting, and scary, and exciting…and a lot of fun. I always love meeting talented photographers so I hope that the author of my new portrait is going to stay in touch – I am learning a lot from her. I want to go back for more photographic adventures;) I loved my trip to Poland. I loved coming back and relaxing afterwards. Digesting all my learnings took time. But I was busy keeping the Wantage Pixel Club going, but also preparing the Summer Festival.

Winter 2015 started quietly but with a few successes. The annual Dickensian Evening event reached 10K views on Facebook (doubled from last year) so I know now that it is a local cause which can grow without me in this area. I like little small ideas and little victories like this one. My work for our local park trust is also starting to pay off so I hope that it will blend in the mix of all the little helpful things I do.

As I am moving into 2016 I do not see clear resolutions. I think 2016 is going to be a continuation of everything I did or did not do last year.

I was supposed to start university or at least apply for my place. I failed miserably but adventurously.I was supposed to learn to sew and make clothes. I failed on the first day. I was supposed to learn to manage money very well. I have achieved a great deal in the area of finance but I still have to learn a lot. I was supposed to learn to be more healthy. I have learned to manage my energy levels and avoid burnouts. But I still need to get to like the gym. I have found the activities that make me happy and I do not despise the runs, the swims, the yoga sessions. I like them now. In 2016 I want to build up that liking to the level of daily necessity. I was supposed to write a lot. I think I could have done more. In 2016 I want to read more books. Not just study but read just for the pleasure of it. Read everything, everywhere. Then I know I will write more too.

In everything I have achieved in 2015 people played a key role and I have thanked them all separately. In 2016 I will treasure and build those friendships even more. I will make even more time for them and I will adjust my life, even more, to gravitate towards them all. As my husband likes to say ‘one person at a time’. I am really looking forward to this year of learning, blogging and work: online, offline, with lovely people, locally and globally.

People are my only actual resolution for 2016.

Have a great one!

I would like to use this opportunity to say thank you for the support you have all given me in 2015. I would also like to say a special thank you to the few people who played a very important role in my life this year.

Dawid, my son – as every year I have learned so much from you. You know this world much better than I do but this year I have seen you overcome all those pre-teen insecurities with such grace and patience that I wish I was like you. I am not, but I am learning. Your almost stubborn need to ‘get it all right’ and be the best at everything really overwhelms me sometimes and I am not sure how to tell you to slow down. Actually, maybe you are right. Maybe we should not slow down? I cannot wait to see what 2016 is going to bring for you – you will be 10, you’ll start walking home from school and manage your own friendships, little secrets and school reality even better. I feel your life speeding up so much that I had to start writing up all our moments now. 2015 for me was a year of remembering your first ten years of life, a nice way of preparing for the next decade. Thank you for sharing it with me. Thank you for understanding when I am tired, upset and impatient. Thank you for the hugs, for love, for evening giggles every single night.

Dan, my husband – I know it was a very hard year for you, so much happening at work and at home. Still, at the end of the day, you’d come home and help me with that one line of code…or two…or two hours of coding in fact. ‘Always happy to help’ – I really don’t know how and why you have so much patience for me. You are my rock. Thank you.

Linda – you are such a wonderful friend, I have no words to describe the impact you had on me this year. My friend, my mentor, my honest adviser, my inspiration. I want to be like you when I grow up so I am so so so lucky to share the now with you. You are always one step ahead, so calm and so supportive. Always finding the right words and the right silence. You make me feel calmer and more confident in my goals – you make me regain the faith in the vision I have allowed myself to forget. Thank you.

Krysia – my angel. Your kid words. Your humility. Your patience. Your attitude towards life and the challenges it throws at you is just so inspiring. I always have to correct my views after I talk to you – you simply bring the best out of me. The quiet. The introvert. Also the happy. The adventurous. Thank you.

Kath, Enas and Dana – dear lovely mums who help me manage Dawid’s personal life but also support me on my journey of motherhood. You all understand the challenges of raising a child and running my own business, building a new life and so much more at the same time. Thank you for being so extraordinary – you are all my superheroes. Thank you.

Sarah – thank you for your gift of listening and for the gift of gifts – your book (you said it was a simple present) meant so much to me. You know sometimes little things matter the most. You have shown me another side of me and made me realise that there are women out there who share my passion for my own space. It had a great impact on my confidence in 2015. Thank you so so much!

Gabriela – you are my hero. I really look up to you. Your patience and your kindness inspire me so much. I am glad that we have worked together in 2015 and cannot wait to see what 2016 might bring. Thank you.

Graeme – thank you for believing in my vision for the Pixel Club and for owning it in your very own, personal way. Thank you for making time to discuss its future and for helping me see the kid inside of me too. Thank you.

Ildiko, Zoee and Jodie – thank you for giving me the family I thought I’d never have. You are my little miracles. Thank you.

Dale – it’s funny how social media algorithms helped me discover your work just when I really needed a new mentor in the area of startups. You are exactly the push I need at the moment and thanks to you I could accept the fact that my work at SylwiaPresley.com, at Minecraft Club and Wantage Summer Festival is not done yet. I had to review my plans for the next few years but in a good way – my vision solidified and I have found the language and the tools to explain it to my friends and engage them in my vision. Thank you.

I have come along way in changing my habits and adjusting my life to the new life – a life of peace, gratefulness and hope. I had to say goodbye to many friends who were courageous but also abrupt and very often lost in their ways – my new ways did not agree with theirs. I spent a lot of time in 2014 reviewing my ways and finding new paths so I am really really grateful that in 2015 I could start sharing them with people who are patient and kind. Some of my old friends stayed and adjusted with me. I thank you all – old and new friends. You are making my days sunny. Every day.

I would also like to thank my online friends, colleagues and all readers for respecting my openness and supporting my journey. With little likes, reads, shares, comments – every single response matters a lot.

I met Ireneusz Osiński in Gdańsk today, just to a quick chat over a coffee (during the Solidarity Academy I was speaking at) and I came out of the meeting intrigued and slightly unsettled.

Irek (I hope if he is reading this I am OK to use the shortened version of his first name;)) lectures on the path to effective career and runs a local foundation for young talents. We had a great chat about his and my observations on the topic and I feel I need to share something. I am told that many young people in my homeland aspire to hit the gold in few months after uni just by high ambitions, faith and really strong commitment to success but not work. I listened to few of Irek’s podcasts tonight and more and more influential voices tend to agree.

What is the problem? The American Dream of opportunities in new industries? The idea that if one or two youngsters come across a good idea, code and monetise, the entire generation would follow? Well maybe, but let’s just clarify what I think are the keys to success. I’ll list them below and you let me know what you think:

1. Ambitious, confident career vision – vision as a word pre-defines the dream-like notion but also implies a bit of realistic, insightful instinct for the next thing (I, on purpose, won’t use the term ‘big thing’ as it does not have to be so big to make us happy, right?). Vision is based on intuition but also good understanding of current trends, contingency and our very own given and acquired skills and abilities.

2. Hard work and loads of rest when needed – we cannot always work hard, but we cannot truly think that the image of our success shall result in months on a beach…who will do the exciting, visionary work then? More and more positive psychology studies show (I happened to come across many of those in ‘Reality is Broken’ here) that what really makes us happy is hard and challenging work which is based on continuous feeling of self-worth and growth. And we all know that sitting on a quiet tranquil beach for a long time would probably drive an intelligent person mad, right? It’s when we get our hands dirty and our brains boiling that we feel the success – in the process! But don’t forget to rest, re-change and allow your body, mind and soul (if you believe in it) to recover.

3. Friends, mentors and trusted connections. Test your connections to know you can trust them and build on their actual potential. Question but also learn from your mentors. If you don’t have any – find them! If you think you need celebrities just stop and ask everyone for a piece of advice, write it down and look back at the list – magic, right? The best tips in my academic life came from landlords, cloakroom ladies and often my bosses, colleges, family. Most from my son actually. Don’t test your friends, but let them guide you. Accept good advice. Forget the silly stuff.

4. Focus and learning to say no – don’t over-promise, just do what you can in the best possible way. I am not saying you should just focus on one thing. Many of us wear many hats. But choose hats carefully – always ask ‘what is the actual work and commitment needed for this task/project’. Practice saying no – it’s ok to say it sometimes.

5. Smart, informed choices – measure each and every step of your career carefully. When in doubt, ask mentors and friends. Ask, research, investigate all circumstances until you are 200% that the next step is right for now and for your entire life. Educate yourself on all areas needed to make a fast smart choice too – whether it is the skill to analyse, skill to market yourself, be or run a job interview etc or whether it is something more specific for your industry.

6. Accept that you might fail and learn from it – really, be humble. It’s ok to fail. But it’s not OK to blame others, sulk for ages or simply expect others to pick up the ball if you can do so. Move to the next thing but look back, analyse – just to ensure you won’t make the same mistake again.

This and much more. What is missing off this list? Let me know!

I find it difficult to blog nowadays as most of my time is spent on juggling. Juggling work, home, family, studies. I used to be really good at this but I think at the moment I have too much on and my life is not just yet organised enough. On the other hand, when I talk to some of my clients (I am doing a lot of mentoring and advising individuals nowadays) I often realise just how far I have come. I don’t mean to sound too proud, I simply see the stages of my life in their current choices and only this way I get to realise how much I have achieved in the last few years. But also how much I can share and teach. First of all the home – for those of us who work from home the quality of life is amazing comparing to office work, of course, but we also need to be very organised! I – for example – am not a clean person. So much so that as a child I had my own term for the mess in my room. ‘Creative chaos’ I used to call it knowing that lack of order is my underlying arty state of happiness – I need it! So now, as a person working from home, I have two jobs – the work itself and the office manager. The work is done by the social media adviser. The office manager, on the other hand, is planning, packing away, cleaning, ordering supplies, creating a work space out of a private home space. It’s easy to do but it costs time. Time that I have to add to my schedule but also suggest to my clients. My running partner used the word ‘contingency’ describing her freelance editing job and I think I would apply it to my home-office managerial position too. Maybe the additional time spent on ongoing supervision of our home-office spaces in not an unexpected expense in time (and sometimes money) but we often tend to think so. I can only compare it to those memes on Facebook where men joke about the time their wives spend without work on ‘doing nothing’ around the house and not realising that the house is clean, planned, equipped, supplied…And so I became my own office manager, ‘joking husband’, reviewer for one hour each day. I now bill it in my company time  (I used to ignore it for a long long time and try to do everything myself. It resulted in stress and a small impact on my health too and I will not let that happen again). So I urge you all, home-office workers, to consider your office managerial skills as a job role within the business. By doing so you will build it nicely into your daily routine and into your business planning too.

2015 is my year of learning to be healthy (and fit) and to manage money well. Both are super hard for me but I feel that if not now, I will never learn to take care of myself and thus for others. I have spent entire 2014 learning about habits, preparing. I studied books, took free online courses and confronting my current habits too. Slowly started working on overwriting my current emotional and physical habits with new ones. I sleep more. I eat a little bit better (though this might be an entirely new challenge for 2016;)). I meditated a lot and learned about mindfulness – peace became the centre of my life, it replaced the passion, mad restlessness… This spring was very difficult as I needed to work on my company’s financial future and overall goals but once I got that out of the way I could finally start making time for my health. I am not sure how you work but I work in phases and – I think like many women – many topics exist in my daily focus on a parallel basis. So I might be mainly working on finance of my company or on a Pixel Club or other local cause, but the ‘how’ is still focussed on my yearly resolutions. I also gained a lot of time. That time is now used to get back to shape. But I have struggled immensely with the notion of exercise, gym or running. So – as always – I reached out to people around me, shared my worries, ASKED for help. And guess what? Help was given:) One of our mums at school directed me to a local running club – which changed my take on running and health in general. During one of the local business meetings I have listened to a sports coach explaining the idea of the body as our vehicle, the difference between fitness and competitive exercise, the ideas behind how we care for yourself and about death (hey, why not, right?). I started servicing the local pilates studio with social media support and learned so so so much about muscles and heart. I have gone back to dance helping my neighbour to kick off her business (she is so talented and so professional I could not decline and now I am addicted!). I went back to yoga and daily meditation. I managed to fit it all in because I KNOW how it all works, why it is important and who can help me. I know I cannot do it on my own. Now that I do it with great mentors and friends I know I will never go back to quiet days without any movement.

My students often ask me how I stay up to date with social media news and what are the sources they can trust – just initially, before they find their favourites. We have a library of recommendations for our students but here let me just list a few (click on each title for its link).

1. Mashable

Always a good start! Mashable is a blog/online magazine dedicated to digital, social media but also other, related technologies. Their search and categories are so clear that it’s a good start for all social media enthusiasts. If you want to know what is trending, what is talked about it social and what are the current changes in major platforms – plus how those can impact us, users – do follow them.

2. Social Media Examiner

It’s a great blog for strategy and tactics, simple tips and ideas on making the most of social media tools. Their events bring together industry specialists. I think they are tailored more towards social media marketing for branding but you will find tips on much more. I also like the fact that they feature other industry blogs – here is their 2014 and 2015 list for your reference.

3. Social Media Explorer

Just like Social Media Examiner this blog focusses on industry tips, but it also provides context to changes happening online. Follow their central account but also the main author, Jason Falls.

4. TechCrunch

Some of the content on this technology blog might seem not relevant for those who want to learn about social media just for their personal use but it is a good piece of tech journalism, often featuring news and longer explanation to what really is happening in Silicon Valley and other locations where social media tools are launched and developed.

5. WIRED

It’s a blog for geeks, yes, but it also contains a lot of information relevant to social media so check it out now and again. If you want to learn more about people behind the online platforms you are using, this is the place. WIRED interviews are my favourite.

6. Brian Solis

This and the next few links are to encourage you to read personal blogs of individuals who shape the social media world. Brian Solis knows everything about social media marketing for brands and large organisations and his blog is a perfect source of handy visuals and data to back up your presentations and your points.

7. Chris Brogan

Chris Brogan changed the way we look at online relationships management with this ‘Trust Agent’ book, which I think is a perfect start for all aspiring community managers. Actually I think everyone should read it before posting online.

8. Seth Godin

Seth simply understands where we are today as a human kind in business and in life. He is my kind of philosopher. His short and snappy posts are a great feed for thought when you are busy and when you have more time too.

9. PROBLOGGER

It’s a place to start for a blogger, a place to check out now and again for best blogging practices.

10. Euan Semple

I had the privilege of working with Euan and I know that if there is a person in this world who knows where the (social) web is heading and has the most humble, respectful but firm belief that it is here to change our world for better, it is Euan. Do read his blog as it will inspire you to love social the way it should be loved.

11. Brain Pickings

…is not about social media at all but you will need it and if you have more time to enjoy online reading, this blog with make you realise the value of blogging itself. Maria Popova is a great curator of brilliant, inspiring reads and you will need tht to create good content and share good ideas online.

12. TED Ideas

Speaking of ideas – if you are busy but have a moment – in the bath, on the train, on the go – to watch a few videos do check out TED talks. They provide a great insight into the current trends, discoveries and inspirations. Since social is all about us, people, we should keep an eye and learn more about ourselves too, right?

13.  Agency blogs – Social@Ogilvy and WeAreSocial

The great thing about following those leading social agencies on their blogs is the amount of data, case studies and insights they release. You have to remember that they run complex social campaigns for their clients so they always have to be the best in their game. Learn from them!

14. Social media marketing platform providers – HubSpot and Salesforce

Just like with social media agencies, those companies have a huge amount of data to work with and they happily share a lot of it with general public – so make the most of it.

15. Blogs of leading social media providers – Google, Facebook and Twitter

You need to know what is going on on major social media platforms so the best place to follow is their very own blogs. Every serious social media provider will have a blog – where you can learn about their team, functionalities, news and future plans.

Add all those to your RSS reader, follow them in social media and learn, learn, learn. Learning is fun, but it is also quite empowering. Enjoy! (And don’t foget to share your tips in comments!)

Do you know any local events that were always there but somehow did not occur to you? Wantage Summer Festival always seemed a little bit like that to me, especially when I was working full time and hardly had time to enjoy our local life. Over the course of last few years I have met so many fascinating people in Wantage that the Summer Festival gained on its true meaning to me and so this spring – when I learned that it is not going to happen anymore – I decided to help out a bit. Linda, my friend, and I took over the organising of this series of events and hopefully will continue its tradition. I hope that this way my free time and skills are going to be well used. (Initial Facebook fan page stats show indeed just how much people care for this festival!).

So if you are around this summer and would like to help out but also meet those people in town who really get involved and care do join our open brain storming meetings. Thank you!

We are all mad in our house and I love it. I am so happy that I managed to get hold of a Moleskine which reflects those values!

I write more on paper nowadays and I think its a result of a small conversation I had with two mums the other day. It reminded me of the value of writing. When a regular conversation navigated over to screens and writing I was asked if I write letters or a journal….

Well, of course I do. I would be nowhere without my journals! Maybe I am active online sometimes, maybe it sounds like I am busy but actually the pages of my daily journal are the most secret, most intimate, most trusted place to pour down my thoughts on. The way it used to be in the ‘olden’ times – when pages of our personal journals provided us  (those who liked to make a note of our lives and discuss our thoughts on paper) with comfort. Part of that comforting feeling was the knowledge that no one would read them, that they belong to us – pretty much like our personal mirrors, right?

I guess this conversation last week stayed with me so deeply…it opened up another box I think i live in – a writer’s box. I have realised that not everyone finds it easy or obvious to write! Why did I think that?

A writer is a person performing the act of writing. So I am a writer. I am not a good writer, but I do write a lot, I like writing and I need to write when I am really sad, on the edge and really do not know who would be the right person to listen. Pages have this amazing ability to record and listen. Sometimes the words, once placed on paper, realise our true feelings sometimes for us – help us see the truth about ourselves. We become our own audience. We don’t need, nor want anyone else.

The speed of writing, the freedom of drawing, the act of allowing the ink to flow, the quality of paper…all of these define how we capture all those truths. And so it is really important to choose the right notebook, allow yourself the time to write when you feel you are in pain or simply stuck.

Maybe this is why I am not stuck in so many situations when my friends are? Maybe not everyone knows the real value of journaling, of a Moleskine notebook in a bag? Maybe me and those who write should share the beauty of this act more clearly?

What do you think?