I hope you had a wonderful 2015, but it’s time to embrace the New Year – 2016!
And if you don’t want to carry last year into the New Year, you need to take some time to process how 2015 went for you.
I already talked about how this process works in Closing the Chapter on 2014, and the questions Michael Hyatt asks himself to ring in a new year.
But in case you don’t remember, let’s take another quick look at what they are:
- If the last year were a movie of your life, what would the genre be?
- What were the two or three major themes that kept recurring?
- What did you accomplish this past year that you are the most proud of?
- What do you feel you should have been acknowledged for but weren’t?
- What disappointments or regrets did you experience this past year?
- What was missing from last year as you look back?
- What were the major life-lessons you learned this past year?
Without deliberating any further, I’m going to share my answers with you.
My Answers to the 7 Questions
1. If the last year were a movie in your life, what would the genre be?
- Action. It was a fast-paced year packed with a lot of work activity, many meaningful moments and breakthroughs, and significant life events.
2. What were two or three major themes that kept recurring?
- Opportunity. I have never been more in-demand in my life. A variety of opportunities came my way in 2015, and I kept saying “yes” to them – partly out of necessity, partly because of my passion for them.
- Affirmation. I spent a lot of time talking about entrepreneurship with friends. Time and time again, I affirmed the direction I was heading in, and came to the same conclusion that this is what I need to do with my life.
- Meaning. Until I started making the money I needed to “really live”, I wasn’t even sure what I was working towards beyond debt freedom. Now my vision is beginning to become more clear.
3. What did you accomplish this past year that you are most proud of?
- I launched my first book, The New Music Industry: Adapting, Growing, and Thriving in The Information Age, and spoke at the book launch party.
- Long Jon Lev launched Telltale Heart. I played lead guitar on the album and at the release.
- I completed the What It Means To Be A Musicpreneur guide.
- I participated in Wommy Saves Christmas as a voice actor.
- Writing for Music Industry How To.
- I got into the habit of reading a book per week.
- Saving six month’s worth of expenses.
4. What do you feel you should have been acknowledged for but weren’t?
- Working out. I’ve been getting in shape. There’s been some acknowledgement, but not much.
- Adding value to some of the companies I work for. Some have more than acknowledged my value, while others always just ask for more of me.
5. What disappointments did you experience this past year?
- Not completely eliminating my debt. But I’m so close that it’s hardly a major disappointment.
- Not getting paid for one of the gigs I played. It’s one thing to stop a show prematurely and acknowledge that it wasn’t a good fit with the venue – quite another to criticize the band for it’s lack of ability and screw them over.
6. What was missing from last year as you look back?
- Rest. More than anything else, I probably should have taken one or two extended breaks. By the time the second or third week of December had rolled around, I was so overworked that I had multiple migraines (which were likely weather-related too). When you’re not financially stable, you sometimes forget to care for your personal well-being, but it’s still important.
7. What were the major life-lessons you learned this past year?
- Focus. I’m looking for different results in my entrepreneurial life, and I know that if I keep doing what I’ve always done, I’ll keep getting what I’ve always got. I’m finally ready to try a new approach.
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