Goodbye, 2024.

Reflections, goals, and big dreams.

On January 1, 2024 I hit publish on the post titled, “No Longer A Slave To Fear”

No Longer A Slave To Fear

This was the launch of a weekly blog.

After years of inconsistent writing I knew God wanted me to lean in and make a discipline out of posting. So I did.

And now we’re here—at the end of the year. In this post I want to offer up some reflections, new goals I have, and a dream that seems unattainable.

But before we go forward, I want to make sure you’re aware of this offer. Free subscribers can upgrade for a discount right now. If you want to join in with a paid membership you’re able to do so right now for 30% off ($7/month).

Now, on to the reflections

Reflections

Reflection #1: I enjoy the person I am when I’m writing regularly.

I’m not particularly great at articulating my thoughts or speaking with confidence. However, when I’m writing those two things change. I’m more confident and articulation is easier for me. Both help me lean into God’s calling on my life as a leader and communicator.

Reflection #2: Writing weekly has killed two things in me. 1) Perfectionism and 2) Insecurity.

Don’t get me wrong, those two things are still there. But publishing weekly has forced me to put those two things to death. There’s always a timeline so “done” is better than “perfect” and I can’t be paralyzed by what others think. The article has to go out and if no one likes it, there’s not much I can do about it. The article I have is the article I’m going with.

Reflection #3: Self-chosen discipline is much harder than coach led discipline.

I spent 20+ years with coaches telling me what to do and when to do it. After I retired I found out that I was discipline only because they were forcing me to be. This year was me working toward discipline on my own, which was much tougher (but so very valuable.)

Reflection #4: Words need to be taken seriously.

For years I spoke carelessly and would send thoughtless texts to people I cared about. I didn’t weigh my words and consider the possible consequences. After a year of writing I see how important every word is and the possible impact (both positive and negative) it could have.

Reflection #5: I never want to go back to the old me.

I would say the old me was more categorized by paralysis by analysis than he was action. Moving into publishing weekly was me moving into being a person of action—a man of consequence. I don’t want to go back and I want to continue moving forward with action, not passivity.

New Goals

On December 31, 2023 I had 46 subscribers. At the time I’m writing this I have 637. I could not have imagined this level of growth when I started. I just knew I was supposed to write.

That being said, I do not have a numeric goal for the year. I have a faithfulness goal.

I want to do the exact same thing I did last year—which is to publish weekly.

I’m going to be publishing twice per week. One will be free, the other will be a paid article.

I want to consider this an experiment in what consistency will do for subscriber growth.

I do have one other goal, though. In 2025 I want to publish another book. I wrote about the Travel Sports & Church problem and published that on Amazon but I want to write another, less niche book, in 2025.

One Seemingly Unattainable Dream

I would love to make a full-time income writing online.

I would say a full-time income is at least $50,000/year. That seems so far fetched. In 2024 I made ~$500 from writing (which is kind of mind-blowing).

$50,000/year seems unimaginable. However, that’s what I’m praying for. I’m praying for that not necessarily because I want writing online to replace my in person job. I love my job.

I’m praying for that because I want to give my wife the gift of staying home with our children. A sizable income from writing would help that cause.

So will this be the year that happens? Probably not. But I can work towards it and I will.

If you’re a paid subscriber, thank you for contributing to that dream. Your support is invaluable and I’m excited to see where this thing goes in 2025.

If you’re a free subscriber, you’re welcome to sign on to become a paid member for the 30% lifetime discount.

Thank you for reading along and I look forward to seeing you all in 2025!

—Brandon