Year-End Thoughts: What I Learned

Evaluating the lessons learned over the past year with year-end thoughts is a valuable exercise, especially when considering areas for growth in the year ahead. This reflection process lays the foundation for effective planning and goal-setting.

Beyond analyzing successes, it’s also helpful to identify the activities that brought the most enjoyment. As we reach mid-career or the halftime of life, prioritizing activities and business ventures that are both enjoyable and fulfilling becomes even more important. Since none of us knows how many years we have, taking the time to assess what’s working—and what isn’t—can help us make meaningful changes for an even better year ahead. Here are my reflections and some key insights from this past year.

Reflection One: Take the time to thoroughly evaluate new AI tools and keep a detailed record of all tools and subscriptions

One of my goals this past year was to reduce the number of annual subscriptions I maintain and, where possible, invest in tools that offer lifetime access. This process requires careful consideration since many of these tools are from startups, which carry risks such as product sales or changes that might alter the tool’s original purpose or usefulness.

With the rapid release of new AI tools each week, (see Software in Halftime Success) it’s tempting to experiment with new options that promise to save time and automate tasks. However, there’s a risk in adopting too many tools at once, as this can be distracting and drain valuable time, pulling attention away from core responsibilities.

Generally, I’ve tried to be selective and have learned from purchasing tools that I later found I didn’t have the time to fully utilize. Although some looked promising, I realized they wouldn’t fit into my schedule and focus, returning them. Still, I have gained some highly effective tools through this process, which now serve as valuable aids in my work. I have a carefully documented note of all the tools and even if I don’t often access some of them, when accessed they continue to prove their value.

Reflection Two: What to gather and take during an evacuation

When we were evacuated from our home over twenty years ago with fires in our area, I packed very different items compared to our recent evacuation warning. Back then, I loaded up the car with porcelain dolls, family mementoes, old scrapbooks, and special dishes in several large boxes. I also included hard drives, books, and writing materials.

This time, I focused on essentials like hard drives, passports, IDs, and necessities for our dog, Amelia, along with a few personal items for overnight stays. I realized that nearly everything else could be replaced, though it made me recognize how much I rely on my computer, cameras, and other tech equipment for my work. While replaceable, these items take time and effort to restore.

I also came to appreciate the importance of being prepared for any emergency. We’ve gathered water and some canned food, but this requires ongoing effort to rotate expiring food and improve our readiness for various scenarios, even nuclear ones. With recent hurricanes in Florida as a reminder, my husband and I are increasingly focused on having a clear plan, knowing that sometimes you only have the chance to take the essentials.

Reflection Three: How to further simplify my system for greater freedom and accuracy while traveling

The system I created and teach in my course A New Way of Business has been invaluable during my travels, and I continue to refine it for my own use. This approach has not only allowed me to work remotely but also expanded my ability to host more podcast guests and maintain promotional efforts, whether I'm at my home office or on the road.

I rely on Google Drive with accessible files from any device, including my phone. Additionally, I’ve found that emailing videos to myself, along with text I can easily copy and paste for social media posts, is a reliable way to keep up with certain platforms quickly and easily with very little effort. I can also pre-schedule individual emails as needed.

Other tasks I can schedule include LinkedIn articles, though I need to publish videos publicly for them to appear correctly in the articles. Scheduling newsletters has become more routine, even when I'm in town, as it automates my process and allows me more flexibility. Even though I implemented my system for travel, I have found it works for most any time to create additional freedom.

Reflection Four: Expand my focus to support others in marketing their courses and products, building a supportive community

A key challenge I face is effectively marketing the many products I've created. Over the years of producing podcasts, I've noticed that many other entrepreneurs and creatives share this challenge. I also recognize the isolation that can come from working solo, especially for solopreneurs and small business owners.

As an affiliate for several products I use and love, I decided to create an affiliate promotion system within my business called Halftime Success. I’m excited to develop this system further, as it gives the Women at Halftime podcast an added purpose: to serve as a platform that markets and supports other businesses.

My hope is that this initiative will grow in the coming years and become a trusted resource for those in mid-career or at the "halftime" of life. Ideally, it will become a hub for entrepreneurs and businesses seeking resources, community, and encouragement.

Reflection Five: The task of creating a simple system for outsourcing podcast video editing, then accepting additional interviews

To streamline video editing for podcast episodes, I shifted from editing clips featuring cut-ins of guests interspersed with a full view of both guest and myself as the interviewer, to using only the full view for simplicity. This adjustment allowed me to establish a repeatable system that could be managed by a trusted editing team.

This change has significantly reduced my weekly workload, freeing up time for additional podcast interviews and creative projects. A key goal of my podcasting is to inspire and support those at mid-career or halftime of life in building a meaningful next chapter, while also featuring fascinating businesses and entrepreneurs through engaging interviews. Expanding this goal has been extremely rewarding.?

I’m very pleased with the system now in place, which is working smoothly, though I consistently take the time to check every edited video for accuracy. It’s also led me to consider other tasks I could delegate to create even more time for high-impact projects—a thought I’ll keep in mind for the future.

Conclusion

As I reflect on the past year, I'm grateful for the lessons learned and the progress made, both personally and professionally. Each insight, whether about simplifying systems, prioritizing meaningful work, or building a supportive community, has reinforced the importance of intentional growth and adaptability. Moving into the new year, I’m excited to carry forward these lessons, to continue refining my approach, and to embrace new opportunities with an open mind.

My wish for you is that you take the time to evaluate what you have learned this past year and reflect on what the next year could bring. Dream a little, evaluating carefully on what worked best and what didn’t. Also really focus on what you loved to do best as that’s an important part of this process! Here’s to another year of learning, evolving, and making the most of every moment.

Taking the time to assess what’s working—and what isn’t—can help us make meaningful changes for an even better year ahead. Deborah Johnson

Additional Resources

Deborah’s Books on Amazon

A New Way of Doing Business If secretly wondering, "How Do I Start & Sustain a Business in today's tech-savvy world without getting overwhelmed or discouraged?" this course is for you!

Video Editing: I use the Plugmatter team for the Women at Halftime podcast video editing as well as for the back-end of my websites. They are wonderful!

Halftime Success Resources: Resources with tools and guidance for mid-career individuals, professionals & those at the halftime of life seeking growth and fulfillment. Specifically look at Coaching and Courses

The Host

DEBORAH JOHNSON, M.A. has 25+ years working as an entertainer, composer, producer, author and speaker. Her keynote, "The Hero Inside" stirs audiences to not settle for merely playing as an accompanist to their dreams. Rather, it is to call upon everything they have inside to be soloist & center stage in pursuing & accomplishing their dreams and potential. This can include pursuing a new avenue or expanding on a current area of business, especially at mid-career or the halftime of life. Get more free downloads & links at: DJWorks. Websites: DeborahJohnsonSpeaker.com; GoalsForYourLife.com; DJWorksMusic.com