As cliché as it is this time of year, I’ve been spending a fair amount of time reflecting on the past 365 days and setting goals for the upcoming year.
A lot of personal growth can happen when we contemplatively assess our past and recalibrate our actions to set a course towards a brighter future.
It is daunting to know that according to research:
“The failure rate for New Year's resolutions is said to be an estimated 80% with most people losing their resolve and motivation just weeks later in mid-February.”
Even with unlimited resources available to help steer humanity toward achieving goals, that number is sobering—and relatable. I can certainly attest to falling short of goals time and time again.
A Year-End Tradition
As 2024 comes to an end, I’m kicking off a series of posts reflecting on the past and planning for the future. But of course, let’s see how things look by mid-February.
To help guide this particular post, I am using last year's reflection + goal-planning guide from The Art of Improvement (a wonderful resource, btw!).
Today’s focus is on two questions he poses as part of evaluating the past year:
- What were my biggest achievements?
- What was the best thing that happened to me in the past year?
With a Little Bit of Reflection
These questions were not as easy to answer as it seems – especially the second one.
When I looked back, most of my high points from 2024 fell under the category of “achievement” -- meaning, it was an outcome of something I did or worked towards.
It was more challenging to find a positive from 2024 where I was simply the recipient -- meaning, something that happened “to me” rather than “because of me.” It was a critical distinction, and I wanted to do justice to the exercise by musing over the year to uncover the best answers.
So, with a bit of reflection, I answered both questions below and now feel a sense of appreciation as I look back on the year.
My Biggest Achievements of 2024
In chronological order, here are my biggest and proudest achievements of 2024:
Joining the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo - Communications & Special Services Committee (CSS).
Earlier in the year, my siblings encouraged me to find a way to get involved in the HLS&R, one of the premier volunteer organizations in Texas. After completing an online application and undergoing three rounds of interviews, I was granted membership in August, joining a team of more than 35,000 volunteers who run & manage the three-week-long event in 2025. There’s so much more to come on this front as we prep for the 2025 Rodeo, so I plan to chronicle these adventures.
Becoming Debt-Free.
This was a deeply personal, long overdue, and lifelong goal I achieved in September. Out of everything on this list, I am most proud of this achievement. I'll share the details of how and why I did it in a separate post.
Uncovering Data About My Health.
Based on recommendations from friends, family members, and a few podcast influencers who often keep me company on my nightly walks, I decided to splurge on two separate programs that utilize cutting-edge technology to provide in-depth data on our health. Both platforms provided wonderful experiences, and I plan to write posts detailing my experiences.
- Function Health - Personalized test results on over 100+ biomarkers
- Levels - Continuous glucose monitoring to gain insight on diet + blood sugar activity
Launching My Personal Brand.
Although this process was months in the works - starting back in February when I decided to hire a designer to update my personal branding - a good friend and former student, Tiana Torkan, brought it all to life and launched this website as my digital home. I couldn’t be happier. It was a huge undertaking, and Tiana's talent speaks for itself. I'm looking forward to posting about the entire process very soon.
Organizing the Kitchen.
This may seem flippant, but there’s a lot that went into this. Having lost our sweet mother only 13 months ago and who baked nearly her entire life, the kitchen was her refuge, her home base, and her identity. Every corner reminded us of her. My siblings and I were able to spend a weekend going through everything in the kitchen, keeping things of hers we wanted that were special to us, and sharing extra things of hers we didn’t need with friends and neighbors who also wanted to remember her. It was emotional, cleansing, and not easy. I miss her so much.
Launching My Agency’s New Website.
Using the same talented developer for my personal site, my creative agency, Made in July, also hired her to refresh our agency’s website. We loved our previous site, but the new madeinjuly.co is elegant, high-end, exciting, and vibrant. Months of meetings, calls, Google docs, Figma files, and elite creativity culminate in an end product that perfectly captures who we are.
The Best Thing That Happened in 2024
Making a New Friend.
It is not easy to forge connections as an adult. And moving back home to Houston, especially after living in Miami for 17 years, has brought its own fair share of challenges to my social life. But two huge positive outcomes have occurred in the past thirteen months I've lived in Houston.
First of all, I get to see my dad and siblings every single day. Nothing in the world carries so much weight, and I'm so grateful for all of the quality time with them. It's changed my life in the most positive way.
Secondly, I am now focused on NEW relationships and building NEW connections here in Houston. In a lot of ways, I'm simply starting from scratch socially. My first new friendship in Houston was forged this summer, when my hairdresser and I struck it off right away.
During my first appointment with Ava, I knew that we were kindred spirits. Not only is Ava also a middle child, family-obsessed, bow-wearing girls' girl, but she's also incredibly easy to talk to and get to know. We share many similar values, and because she's a transplant to Houston, too, we have a lot in common as we search for meaningful and genuine relationships here.
Becoming her friend took no action on my part. It was easy, breezy, beautiful. Our blossoming bestiedom is by far the best thing that's happened to me in 2024. We've spent a few dinners together, she's met almost all of my family, and I've met her sweet husband. I see many more outings in our future in 2025.
Looking Ahead
It’s a blessing to reflect on these achievements and moments of connection. I give glory to God for the opportunities and experiences this year has brought.
As you look back on your own 2024, what were your biggest achievements and best moments? Take time to reflect, and drop me a note if you want to share any of your own.
Psalm 100
1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
