Hi friends! Me again! Welcome back to my blog. As long-time readers know, for the last 15+ years, the majority of my posts are technical in nature. I like to learn and I like to share what I’ve learned. I spent much of my waking moments figuring out how to invest in those that are younger, smarter, better and faster than me. They are – *mostly* – the NextGen. Those that are taking more and more leadership and fossils like me dry up and fade away. I want them to do well and I love watching them flourish.
Another set of my posts are more “leadership” in nature. It’s also a method by which I share how I’m learning and growing. I write a post like this every new year and have for many years. I end each year and begin each new year by spending a little time reflecting and high-level mental planning on what the new year might look like for me. Many years ago, when I was in full-time vocational ministry, I was introduced to the “my three words” (MTW) concept from a friend who learned it from @chrisbrogan who publishes his list on January 1 each year. His 2024 list is Fusion, Apps, and Pulse – you can read more here.
Last year in 2023 – I focused on Linger, Declutter and Reboot. I confess 2023 was a pretty rough year for me. The details are long and arduous, but, I’m glad 2023 is over. I did have small spurts where I maintained focus and my 3 words did their job, and guided me. I would probably say that “Declutter” was the best focus for me and I decluttered some of my tasks, and baggage, and cleared my life for some new things. Linger – well – didn’t. And as far as reboot – as I was thinking – 2023 did bring about some radical new things but not in the way(s) I expected. I’ll still be working on that one in 2024 and beyond for sure.
But, for 2024, I have 3x new words that I’m going to be spending some time thinking about. They might be silly or simple, but, at this time in life, I’d be happy with silly and simple. So, here we go.
Games
I’ve written before that over my life, I’ve forgotten how to Play. As my kids were younger, play was hard for me. I am a grown up. They are not. We have different interests. Oh how I wish I could go back in time, but, I cannot. Instead, I am going to spend some time in 2024 playing more games. Card games. Board games. Word games. iPhone/Game Pigeon games. Billiards. Ping Pong. Whatever. I realize more than ever that time is short and I want to solidify some new core memories with my kids. My two younger kids at home are more likely to play cards or board games. My 17 year old is more of my Billiards kid. And thanks to the generosity of some friends, we have a new pool table coming next monday. Our multi-night-a-week games of “Bumper Pool” are going to turn into 9-ball soon! 🙂
Mentor
I’ve had the privilege of having men and women invest in me. They’ve helped me grow and become a better man, husband, father and friend. I also have had the honor to invest in others. At work each year, I usually get paired up to mentor a few people in short-term goals, or longer-term career growth. It’s super amazing to me to watch them grow and I hope I’m a good friend to them along the way. At Church, I’ve taken part in casual and formal mentoring journeys. In 2023 I wrapped up a year-long mentoring program at my local church. I’ve also been able to casually come alongside a couple men growing in their faith. As 2024 starts, I’m intentionally looking into a few areas where I can spend 1:1 time with a couple of them. I really love this time and I want to be super focused to partner well with them on their own journeys.
Sober
Sober can have many different definitions. It’s not just about not drinking alcohol – it can be, but it’s not just that. It can be about how you think. And how you focus. And how you maintain calm in chaos. I need all of those. As briefly mentioned, 2023 wasn’t a great year for me. I ended up the year in some chaos I never would have dreams even 24 hours before it began. But, here we are. 2023 is over and 2024 has begun. I am finding myself in a new need for sobriety – in all areas. I wouldn’t say I have a “problem” with alcohol. I have a unique ability to “know” myself when it comes to substances. I was an addict. I had many problems in my teens. I spent time in rehab and mental health care helping me with those things. Ask me about it sometime. I am not ashamed. I am certainly more *aware* and *educated* and *able* to express what that means. That said, I am finding myself with much less of the “brown drink” and spending more time with zero proof vs. high proof. My beer or whiskey intake is not zero, but, it’s substantially less than a year ago. Why? Not for what you might think. I am not in trouble. I simply need to clear my head and my heart and I *know me* well enough to know that I need a break. So, starting in August of last year, I’ve been on a break. It started with 60 days full detox and then – randomly – enjoying a drink if/when the timing and company is right. More importantly than alcohol though, the word “sober” in 2024 is more about my head and my heart. I want 2024 to be more impactful than 2023 and I want my family to be closer. I have a loss there – and while I can’t go back – I can be more intentional this year with those that are still here. And that’s worth the fight and the change.
So, there we go – 2024 – Games, Mentor, and Sober.
What does 2024 look like for you? How did 2023 go? Are you different today than 365 days ago? Are you the same? Do you want to be different in 2025? What steps are you taking to evaluate and focus? For me – “my 3 words” is a simple method I’ve used to help me find that clarity, focus, and re-focus as needed. Let’s do this!