2023, baby!

2023 was a life-changing year.

A few of the highlights:

• Started writing every day

• Paid for business coaching.

• Welcomed baby #3 into the world.

• Started a director-level position at my 9-5.

• Added 100 lbs each to my deadlift and squat.

• Joined 4 different online communities for online writing and growth.

• Developed my first online offer, newsletter ghostwriting, and gained 5 clients.

• Paid for a family vacation with my family, my mom, and my 2 brother's families.

As I look at that list I get excited for 2024. It’s going to be even bigger and better.

Each year, I ask 7 questions:

• (1) What did I change my mind on this year?

• (2) What did I learn this year?

• (3) What were my greatest hits and misses?

• (4) What did I not do because of fear?

• (5) What created energy this year?

• (6) What drained energy this year?

It’s a really quick way (<1 hr) to summarize the year and gives me a chance synthesize my notes and journal entries. I got the main structure from Sahil Bloom and tweaked it a bit.

So, without further ado, here’s my annual year in review:

(1) What did I change my mind on this year?

Intermittent fasting isn't a magic bullet. Nutrition is the key.

Life isn't going to get better after the obstacles. The obstacles are life. They are the way.

Hard work isn't going to make me rich. Working on high-leverage, high energy-fit for me activities that a lot of people will buy at a luxury price will.

The two biggest beliefs that I had to overcome were “I’m not a writer” and “I can't sell." This mindset keeps you broke. Tim Denning helped me understand I'm a writer and Naval Ravikant helped me understand that I have to sell.

(2) What did I learn this year?

I realized that all of my heroes were writers.

I am bad at focusing. Probably my biggest area for improvement.

My cognitive biases are the only thing holding me back. I need to know myself and what I believe before I can truly recognize my potential.

(3) What were my greatest hits and misses?

• HIT:

  • Hit the 1,000 lb club for lifting.

  • Welcomed Cohen David Ray into the world!

  • Started posting online every day starting in June.

  • I created a director job, pitched it to a CEO, and got it with a job raise.

• MISS:

  • Didn't get my body fat low enough to see six-pack abs last year. But I did build substantial muscle. Will be a good base to build from this year.

  • I didn't do enough outreach for my personal business. That will change this year.

(4) What did I not do because of fear?

I didn't sell enough. This stems from a fear of failure and the possibility of rejection. The only way to defeat this fear is to face it head on and get in the reps.

Record videos. I hate seeing myself on camera. And there is a fear of what people will think. Again, the only way around this is to get the reps in. One reason I am focusing on YouTube this year.

(5) What drained energy this year?

People that complain. Negativity and pessimism in general are huge energy drains. Hard pass.

Sitting in front of a computer screen all day. Especially when it's low value work. Sitting in front of a computer writing in a coffee shop is different.

(6) What created energy this year?

Lifting weights.

Writing every day.

Cold plunges and sauna work.

Spending quality time with my family.

Playing music in high energy environments.

Interacting with high achievers and people that are excited by their work.

And that’s it!

I know that y’all are going to crush it this year and I’m glad we’re on this ride together.

Just like Jack Burton always says: “when the earth quakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big ol’ storm right square in the eye and he says, ‘Give me your best shot, pal. I can take it.’”

Let’s get it.

Swanagan