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This is a my 600th blog post, dating back to the first post on November 13, 2011. Hard to believe that I have had that much to say over that long a period of time.
It also comes at an opportune time to think back to 2024 in order to think forward to what I might do to better in 2025. Some questions to ponder about 2024:
- - What word or phrase would you choose to define this past year?
- - What was the best new thing you tried this past year?
- - Who made a difference in your life this year?
- - What was the most difficult challenge you faced this year?
- - Knowing what you now, what would have done last January to make the year better?
I'll answer these for myself.
- Word/phrase: Storytelling. Rose and I dedicated 2024 year to getting The Ledge and The Abyss published and marketed into the world as best we can. It's been fun and rewarding.
- Best new thing: Instagram. I am enjoying learning how to make meaningful content that will lead to my next project, Make Moments Matter. You could really help me out by following me and recommending me to a friend. I am @DeanWaggs
- Who made a difference in your life this year: Reilly and Sully, my two new grandchildren. It is a wonder to have your heart and love expanded by the presence of new meaningful people in your life.
- Most difficult challenge: Tear in my hamstring kept me from running a lot of 2024. I was injured on-and-off most of the year. It reinforced my love of running. It also reminded me that I need to heed my body and take care of it holistically.
- What could I have done to make the year better: I would have worked harder on the strategy to promote my book, The Ledge and the Abyss. Writing a book takes at least a year. Planning the marketing of it is as long and as much work. I now understand that. I had a lot of people interested and who offered help. I did not follow up on some of those. I did not reach out to enough people to lock things in.
This helped me wrap up the year. Then I found something to help me work on for 2025. I love this idea from Tim Urban, a challenge to think about how I might do better in 2025.
Good litmus test for areas of personal growth to focus on:
Ask yourself, would you want your child to marry someone just like you?
If the answer is "yes, except ABC," then A, B, and C are what you should work on. (If the answer is "no" then there's even more work to do.)
I definitely have more than A, B, and C, but I'll go with those three. Here are my "excepts":
- A- I am not thoughtful enough on the words and reactions I make to others. Being sarcastic, or attempting to be funny/ironic/snarky doesn't work most of the time.
- B- Too introverted. I don't like crowds. I don't like to be at loud events. I avoid parties. Why not try a little harder to be more open? My wife would appreciate it.
- C- I am not very good at forgiving and forgetting. If I don't like someone for what they believe, say, or do, I ignore them or belittle them. I don't have to befriend them, but can I look for some good in them? Sometimes hidden gems are hidden below the surface.
None of those are insurmountable, but after living with them for so long, it will take some time to turn them around. I challenge you to try this same exercise. It beats a resolution.
