2024 YEAR IN REVIEW: STELLAR OR NOT?
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐ถ๐๐ป'๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ต๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฑ?
Iโll be honest, 2024 was not my best year. It was tough on many levels.
I saw a social media trend asking for a picture of total happiness, no cares in the world. I struggled to think of one because I was dealing with hard things in life at that moment. As I looked through my phone, though, I was reminded of happy times, proud moments, and instances of pure joy.
In my personal life:
โ๏ธMy sonโs Bar Mitzvah
โ๏ธSeeing most of my first cousins at a wedding
โ๏ธA trip to Paris with my son
โ๏ธApproving 3 Eagle Scouts as Rank Advancement Coordinator (a new volunteer role for me)
โ๏ธLosing weight through disciplined meal plans
โ๏ธReconnecting with high school, college, and grad school friends
โ๏ธSpending quality time with dear friends from different parts of my life
โ๏ธEnjoying time with my parents between their world travels
โ๏ธCelebrating my 50th birthday with newer friends
โ๏ธTelling more stories on stage (without forgetting my lines)
โ๏ธWalking on Soldier Field (Bears fan since 1985 thanks to Mr. May, my 6th grade teacher)
โ๏ธDancing at concerts
โ๏ธTaking boat rides on Lake Michigan with a dear friend
โ๏ธLiving the lake life for a weekend
โ๏ธDonating 14" of hair to Children With Hair Loss
๐๐ป ๐บ๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐น๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ:
โ๏ธCompleting the Category Design Academy
โ๏ธHosting a meetup for small business owners at HubSpotโs INBOUND conference
โ๏ธCreating a global community for small business owners, founders, and entrepreneurs (membership is open)
โ๏ธLaunching a Category Design week offering (and completing my first client project in December)
โ๏ธFinding out I was on a list with Larry Page and Bono as people to listen to about OKRs and goals
โ๏ธActually reading (and finishing) several books
Sometimes we have to remember that no matter how hard things may seem, there is much weโve accomplished. Itโs important to track our progress so we can be kind to ourselves when things arenโt going our way. We still have to face the hard stuff, but it helps to recall the moments of happiness and achievement.
If youโre struggling to see how incredible you are, remember that life happens for us, not to us. Be kind to yourself, set clear goals, be intentional, and share the energy you want to receive. Hereโs to a meaningful 2025. Feel free to share some of your wins below.
