My Year End Review (Part 1)

Hello everyone, thank you so much for reading my ramblings in 2013, I’m truly honored that you would take the time to hang out with me for a little bit each week. 2013 was the first year that I was completely supported by my dream and it was an interesting year.

I want to take a look back at my goals at the beginning of this year and how I did. I also want to talk about lessons learned, the wins and the failures. I want to be brutally honest in hopes of helping those that are or will be in the same position. I had five main goals at the beginning of 2013, I’ll start by going through them:

Weight loss: I will lose 140 pounds

To be perfectly honest, I neglected this goal for the first part of the year. I would start my diet and stop, I would start working out and stop. I made so many excuses, telling myself I would start on this date or that.

I got a wake up call at my best friends wedding on June 15 of this year. I was his best man and when I saw myself in the photos I was horrified. I was the heaviest I had ever been, weighing in at 370 pounds.

The wedding was on a Saturday, that Monday June 17 was when I got serious about my weight loss. I started a portioned controlled diet, I cut out all soda, sweets and junk food. I rediscovered a long-lost love: running.

I started running five miles a day. That first run was rough, I couldn’t even run for one minute straight. Since then I’ve built up my endurance and have run 648.3 miles. As far as weight loss, I have lost 133 pounds and counting.

I posted a picture on Facebook but since I want to be brutally honest, I’m posting a picture a little bit outside of my comfort zone.

I continue to eat right and run, I’ve added some strength training now. My goal is to be at 190 pounds by the time we leave for Hawaii on April 8, 2014 (more on that later). At the time of this writing, I weigh 237, I’ve still got some work to do.

Speaking: I will speak at 4 events that pay more than what I made this year

This year was another great year of speaking literally all over the world. I won’t spend too much time here but I can honestly say that I hit this goal.

My speaking income increased 26% this year, out of my gross income, speaking brought in around $22,000. It’s so cool to see the world and get paid for it. I spoke in Israel, Atlanta, Kentucky, Washington D.C, Milwaukee, Arkansas, Kenya, London and Paris. A very solid year in speaking.

Travel: I will take my family to Kenya, and Hawaii. I will take my wife on a trip to London and Paris

Well, in September I did take my wife with me on a three-week speaking tour in Kenya, London and Paris. It was her first time to travel internationally and she said it was amazing.

We saw so many cool sites and enjoyed a little alone time (away from the kids). The speaking events went well and I was invited back! The kids did not go to any of these countries.

Hawaii Update: So my goal was to take the family to Hawaii, that didn’t happen. I can however report that the Hawaii is finally real!! I told you several weeks ago that I bought my ticket for February 18 to go and set up a place for the family.

I’m now happy to report that our family booked one-way tickets to Maui, Hawaii for April 8, 2014. We’re selling everything and in 107 days (from the time I’m writing this) our dream is becoming a reality.

Business: I will create at least two killer products that truly help people.

I created one killer product this year that I’m extremely proud of: The Little Guide to Figuring Out Your Dream. The guide has been purchased 122 times and I’ve gotten several email saying it had really helped.

The second thing is not really a product but was killer: The Dream Chasers Coaching Program. This year I coached more than ever before. I had worked with people in the past but this year I worked with 26 different people at different points in the year.

It’s such an amazing feeling to help someone see that their dream is possible, I’ve been blown away with the hustle my clients are doing. I’ve asked two of them if I can show case their work.

Income: I will make at least $2,800 a month

My goal was to make at least $2,800 a month because this will pay our bills and give us a little bit of savings. At the time of this writing my business has brought in $65,601.13 which gives me a monthly average of $5,466.76. Do keep in mind this is a gross number before expenses.

To make a along story short. I hit my income goal. To be paid to do what I love to do is incredible, I have to pinch myself everyday. This is my dream and I’m living it! It has been a struggle to get here and there are still things popping up everyday.

My number one goal is to help you get here. I know where you are, what you’ll experience and how to do this, so I’m here to be with you every step of this journey. In the next post I’ll talk about lessons, struggles victories and tips. Come back Friday!

Thank you to Thai Win, Jenny Hester and Sutton Parks for letting me feature our work together. I have loved working with them and so many others this year, it has brought tears to my eyes!

How did your dream chasing journey go in 2013?