To bookend my most recent post reflecting on the Best of 2024, this post will focus on three other questions from last year’s Art of Improvement year-end reflection guide.
These three questions get right to the heart of dissecting the last year. They force documentation of the good, bad, and ugly.
- What lessons did I learn, and what might I do differently next year?
- What was I most thankful for?
- What goals did I have that didn’t happen? And do I want to carry them over to the next year?
It’s never pleasant to face our shortcomings. It’s uneasy to document where we’ve failed or not lived up to the promises we made to ourselves.
However, I love the way he’s posed these questions because along with the failures, there’s also celebration of achievement and reflections, all alongside a bit of gratitude.
This short but effective list of questions provides a post-mortem analysis of our failures, under the light of our achievements, and thereby generates tools and strategic insights that make us better-equipped for the future. In other words, looking at the good under the light of the bad equips us to avoid the ugly.
What lessons did I learn, and what might I do differently next year?
Lesson #1 - Healthy and meaningful family relationships are everything.
This thought has long been a guiding light of my life. However, these past five years and especially the last 18 months, have reinforced that truth to me.
Starting in 2019 when our dad had a life-altering stroke and again last year with our mom’s cancer diagnosis and eventual passing, the importance of family struck even deeper than it ever did before.
Ambiguous loss (our dad’s stroke) and actual loss (losing our mother) within a five-year period is not unique to our family. But those traumatic events have forged a much deeper, meaningful, and unbreakable bond within our family. I am so grateful for my father, my three siblings, and the lifelong memories of our mother that uplift my spirit multiple times a day.
Because of all that we have been through - even when things aren’t easy or we don’t all get along - I value my relationship with them more than anyone else’s on this earth. And I am so grateful for who they are and what they’ve taught me.
No meaningful family relationship is worth losing, and in turn, it requires all the pillars of a healthy relationship - honesty, communication, quality time, respect, and shared values - to keep that relationship thriving and maturing.
What should I do differently for next year?
- Treasure every moment with each family member.
- Work on myself continually so that I can be the best supporter possible for each one of them.
- And lastly, temper my expectations and quiet my internal assumptions because nothing good comes from the stories we tell ourselves.
Lesson #2 - Clean + organized spaces are critical to overall happiness.
It’s wild to state this as a lesson I’m learning in my early 40’s, but these last four weeks of decluttering within our home have been life-changing.
At the core, I consider myself to be a neat and tidy person. I love when there is a place for everything and the aesthetics of an organized space are singing in poetic, visual harmony.
For the last thirteen months, however, I’ve put off going through my mom’s things. Even though I am living in her room, I allowed piles of her personal belongings to sit, grow bigger, and stare at me -- begging for attention. There is no doubt I was avoiding the emotionally taxing experience of looking at, touching, and sorting through all of these precious things that were once hers.
But when faced with a deadline to clean these things up by Dec 31st - a goal I wrote down about a month ago when I started planning for the new year - I knew I needed to keep that promise to myself. I wanted to respect my mother, be tender with her belongings, and also find a way to live in a clean + organized space again.
After four consistent weekends of work, many dedicated hours, and a great deal of help from my siblings, I’m so proud to report that we decluttered three key areas of our home: our mom’s room + her things, the kitchen, and the den cabinets.
Operating and living in these spaces post-decluttering is absolutely unreal. There is no doubt that both mental AND spiritual benefits arise after creating organized, clean spaces. I feel like I’ve left a backpack full of bricks behind me, and I can now look forward to 2025 with open eyes and a fresh, productive space.
My plan is to write a post on the how and why of decluttering. It is a meaningful topic to me.
What should I do differently for next year?
- Remind myself that even when the process seems daunting, emotionally draining, and/or insurmountable, take the time and effort to declutter.
- Remember that clean and organized spaces are critical to overall happiness. The reward is always worth the pain.
- Make time to do the chores, tidy, and get rid of things regularly because clean spaces will bring you joy.
What was I most thankful for?
Blessing #1 - Captain’s health.
At almost 12 years old, Captain continues to thrive. His bloodwork is normal, his routine is solid, and he has a perfect balance of activity and rest. Even more exciting: his weight is trending down, which is a huge success for his overall longevity.
Since we met in June 2013, every moment with him feels like a gift. I’m so thankful for his continued health, pawsitive outlook on life, strength, bravery, and commitment to being his best little self. Even though he'd much rather be snoozin' and snackin' 24/7, his patience, obedience, and fervor are an inspiration to me.
Blessing #2 - My health.
2024 was a year of progress and learning when it came to my own health. Through tools like Function and Levels, I gained deeper insights into what works for my body and how I’m doing overall.
A particular highlight? Adding OrangeTheory to my fitness routine a couple of times a week and sticking with my nightly goal of 20 push-ups. These habits have not only boosted my upper body strength but also my overall well-being. I feel strong, energized, and ready to focus even more intently on several specific health goals in 2025.
What goals did I have that didn’t happen?
And do I want to carry them over to the next year? Answering these questions will be the most humbling of all, but they have the power to set us on the most productive and effective path forward in the new year.
Unmet goal #1 - Made in July growth.
I didn’t push Made in July to its fullest potential this year. While we accomplished so much (especially our beautiful new website that launched this month), I feel there’s more we can do, especially leading into early 2025.
My goal is to double down on business growth through February 1, ensuring that we’re set up for even greater success.
Unmet goal #2 - Be able to do 10 pull-ups in a row.
This was my most specific fitness goal of the year. I set this goal for myself back in March. I made significant progress in the summer but fell off the wagon in the fall when I stopped doing pull-ups daily. The setback was noticeable, and I’m sad I couldn’t get it done this calendar year.
However, I am confident I’ll be able to get to 10 pull-ups in a row in 2025. Clearly it will require dedication and consistency to make it happen.
Unmet goal #3 - Morning routine + nighttime schedule.
As a lifelong night owl, I’m always setting goals to wake up earlier and go to bed sooner. Over the past few months especially, I’ve noticed that my wake and sleep schedule have both gotten a bit lax. My nocturnal schedule is not always good for business or work routines. The upside is that I’ve been getting 8+ hours of sleep, but the overall quality and structure of my sleep schedule could improve.
For 2025, I want to wake up earlier and establish a consistent morning routine. Another one of my goals is to read the entire Bible next year, and having dedicated time in the morning will be key to achieving this.
Moving Forward
As the new year approaches, I’m carrying these lessons, gratitude, and unfinished goals with me. Each reflection from this year has been a stepping stone toward the person I want to be. By celebrating the wins, learning from the losses, and building upon the things I’m most grateful for, I feel more prepared to face whatever comes next.
What are your goals in 2025? Feel free to share them with me here. I'd love to see how we can help each other achieve another year of growth, joy, and improvement.
