So can’t believe that a year has already passed by. Time for some reflection but more importantly: planning!
We all make the mistake of taking this time of year to either reflect on what we’ve gone through and better yet, also take the time for “New Year resolutions” or as one of my friends calls it: “New Years breakalutions”.
He mentions how we take all these new resolutions for the new year and yet, most of the times, find ourselves breaking them at the first opportunity.
Accountability Helps
Apparently, gym memberships are the worst. Many people take on the resolution of taking care of themselves, purchase a monthly or even yearly membership to a gym and then find themselves not going to them by the 3rd week of January!
On that front, I have to say that for the past 6 years now, my wife and I have kept up the weekly habit of working out at least three times a week. Granted, some weeks we’ve missed because of out-of-town vacations and some days we’ve had to push each other to go.
And there is the biggest help you can ever ask: accountability and someone to push you on that accountability – mostly when the last thing you want to do is go work out…
That’s pretty much the same thing when it comes to my blog and weekly entries. As you can peek and look back, there’s been a couple of weeks that I’ve missed but, glad to say, I’ve pretty much been consistent. But….
Consistency Isn’t Enough
The problem with being consistent though, it’s that there’s a big difference between being consistent when going to them gym and being consistent for your business.
Being consistent while going to the gym will provide results physically; I have to say that I’ve never felt better – even as I age. But, being consistent in your business means a whole different scenario.
My biggest drawback for 2024 in relations to my business was one big question: I didn’t ask enough of them to my mentors and others who want to drive their business forward.
When I could have saved time and effort, I didn’t ask for help. period. Oh, as you can read and hear from my previous weekly blog entries, I’ve gained knowledge, I’ve gained assurance in the goals I had set but how much time did I waste or lose by not asking a question? A lot.
Ask Ask Ask Ask Ask
There’s one thing that I take from 2024 but want to change in 2025: Ask more questions.
I remember hearing Dean in one of his videos talking about how few people were asking questions and seeking help in resolving issues that they encountered. He even questioned if he was clear enough that they were there to answer them!
We are all on this journey together to build our business and grow revenue streams from them and we have the luxury of having mentors here at IP who’ve been there, done that and are willing to help us avoid having to go through so many awkward steps, it baffles them to find out that so few people ask questions! And I’m one of those who didn’t ask!
Change Is Good?
We’ve all heard that “change is something we all have to deal with”. Wether it’s a change in job, relationship, point-of-view, we’ve all gone through them and in my case, being an Army brat and retired Army Officer, it seemed that change was my middle name.
That being said, we all deal with change differently. Some of us are hesitant to accept change while some of us, like me, take change as an opportunity to grow.
But sometimes, change also means having the opportunity to not only learn new skills but also to interact with others that have the same goals; hence why I love the Affiliate System Community but yet don’t find myself interacting with others lately.
Time Management
One of my first mentors when I started working at the bank told me something that, while it took me some time to fully understand, now really is hitting home, he said: “Master your time management and you will master your world“.
When you realize that we all have the same amount of time in a day: 24 hours. Yet, some of us use that time so efficiently that it seems as if they’re 3 or 4 people! They schedule important things to do during the day and cut out anything that will not be productive or bring them forward.
If there’s one other thing that I will be working on in 2025, it’s my time management. I’ve read so many books about it and yet, still find ways to mismanage the small amount of time I have to work on my business after my day working at my day job.
The other aspect I’ll be working on in 2025 is making sure that the tools I need to bring my business forward, are the ones I’m using – and that I’ve taken the time to fully understand them. The tools in Affiliate System pretty much encompasses that thought.
And for other like me who are using or want to use Tik Tok for growing their business, not being afraid of what we’re reading in the news these days as a drawback. Don’t forget: what you learn relative to Tik Tok videos is easily usable on any other video platform; the only difference being the matrix of that platform and their algorithms.
One last thought (and this one comes from my grandfather): how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. I’m not trying to change your daily dietary requirements here, just letting you know that everything takes time and that taking too much on all at the same time creates issues.
Work on 3 things you want to accomplish every day and you’ll find that at the end of the week, you’ll have accomplished so much!
Wishing everyone a fantastic 2025 filled with love, success and accomplishments!
Don’t forget to write in your comments and subscribe! Let’s make 2025 the best year yet.
P.S. Apologies for the lack of audio; I’m out of town and couldn’t bring the home studio with me!
Managing my time is also my principal source of struggle. With that also comes questions like what I’m going to say in my blog or my next video, etc. I like what you said about working at three things we want to accomplish everyday. I can surely come down with those three things everyday. However when those three things involve creating content, well, being creative is often what I found difficult and what push me to procrastination in a quest to find new ideas. Between Christmas and the new year is a time where we should take advantage to plan for our success and give all those wishes we receive a boost to their realization.
All the best in 2025! Thank you Marc for being present in our community.
Martin
Hi Marc,
What a great post! Thank you for sharing your reflections and plans for the new year, it’s so relatable and motivating. I really appreciate the reminder about asking more questions and seeing change as an opportunity to grow. The advice about mastering time management is something I’ll be working on too; it’s such an important skill.
Your grandfather’s saying about eating an elephant is such a simple but powerful way to approach big goals. Focusing on just a few things each day really does make a difference.
Wishing you all the best in 2025! Thank you for the thoughtful reminders and encouragement to keep learning and improving. Looking forward to seeing what you accomplish in the new year!
Happy New Year! 🎉🥂
Meredith
Hey, Marc!
I can relate to the need to manage time better. Frankly, if it’s time, I must sit down and do the thing even when it doesn’t feel good. I remember being very little and my mom telling me to play. I didn’t know what to do; nothing felt right, and she said to choose something, and once I got started, I’d enjoy it. It doesn’t necessarily feel good to sit down and do a follow-up email when the time comes to do it, but if I get started, I often overcome that. Let’s just begin with the time we have, and as you say, at the end of the week, we’ll have made much progress!
Nakina
Hi Marc, I agree about asking questions and seeking help in the new year. I also believe that productivity needs to be balanced with pauses throughout the day of gratitude for each moment. I also believe in a morning routine to help establish a momentum throughout the day. Meditation is a big one for me. It helps me to detach from outcome and to work on the project at hand with focus and productivity. Everyone has their way that works for them. But most importantly it is imperative to find what does work and carry it forth.
Happy New Year Marc!
I’ve already got ahead of the New Years breakalutioners and got at least one workout in during this last week leading up to 2025. But I need to work on my consistency of going to the gym as my motivation in the winter is lacking. And as far as my business goes I want to thank you for driving it home that consitency is not enough.
I’ve never really had an issue with time management as long as I get an early start. But being a morning person, I find if I miss that window, it’s best to concentrate on something else and wait for the next day’s window of getting ‘er done.
For 2025, my wish for you is to go against the grain of the Stones and in so doing – getting satisfaction!
Hi Marc – I love your points on reflections. So important to look back and see where we’ve come and use those moments to propel us forward. It’s also great to look back and see where we were not as successful so we don’t repeat or we can make tweaks. Congratulations to your consistency and I will continue to follow you. By The Way…I did miss your audio as you have the best voice! 🙂 Happy New Year!