2024 Goals – March Review

2024 Goals – March Review

If you are new around here, I have intentionally set goals at the beginning of the year (typically 5) and post-follow-ups at the end of each month, tracking progress. I do this for a few reasons, really, but the ones I want to highlight here are my own personal need to achieve them and setting a template for others to potentially follow.

To that end, let’s look at the 2024 goals I’ve established, and we are reviewing the progress for March – three months in already. They are:

1. Continue to post bi-monthly articles
2. Continue to release weekly Podcast episodes
3. Expand the brand
4. Write extensively on leadership
5. Expand my book review series

2024 Goals March Review – Continue To Post Bimonthly Articles

Building and maintaining consistency – two substantive articles a month

I have been doing this for over two years now, and I’m all about continuing the cadence. Achieving this goal has enabled me to start – and maintain – a weekly release of podcast episodes – more on that later. I wanted to be sure I could post articles and do podcast episodes, and I believe I have found the optimal schedule.

What’s more, the podcast is an extension of this website, so neglecting to consistently post looks unprofessional. And with a recent facelift on the site – dark mode that’s easier on the eyes – I want to continue tweaking things. Now that I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of video recording and editing, I’d also look for increased use of videos on the articles posted. Continued tweaking – that’s what I’d say it is.

This goal is a mainstay for the 3rd year in a row.

So, how am I doing now that we are at the end of March 2024?

Given that this year is a year to explore leadership – and I want to increase book reviews – the list of potential articles is rather deep. Already, I’ve been working on several articles at once, and this year should be a continuation of the last couple.

My latest articles, The Art of Intentionality in Your Life, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, and The 15 Invaluable Laws of Personal Growth, were published and are robust reviews of what I think is one of the best books you can read – AND it should be on everyone’s shelf, too. Start the new year with new goals, track them with me, and surprise everyone with the result.

I’m thinking of changing this up, though.

I’m currently reading Atomic Habits by James Clear (book review to come, but this one will be far off – I’m taking my time with this one), and I noticed that when he started his website, he committed to releasing new articles EVERY Monday and Thursday. Oof.

That’s eight for the average month – whereas I am releasing two.

Now, most of the articles here are lengthier than other websites I’ve read – but I have numerous articles in draft form, and many could be published quickly.

I am thinking of increasing the frequency of articles to three a month and see how it goes – starting in April.

AND I’d also like to point out THIS is one of the reasons we put goals up here in the first place: to provide a template for others along with reviewing each month to check progress. As you’re checking on them periodically, you sometimes have to change things up. The practice is invaluable and we hope to see more doing it.

A lot going on, here. Stay tuned.

2024 Goals March Review – Continue to Release Weekly Podcast Episodes

From my chair – the podcast studio here at The Wealthy Ironworker

I finally started the podcast in December of 2023 – a milestone for us here at The Wealthy Ironworker. While last year the goal was to start it, this year it’s to continue with a release date of at least one a week – maybe (probably)  more as time allows. I have so many topics, series, potential guests, and ideas to carry throughout the year FOR SURE.

You may notice an increase in the quality of the episodes – a natural outcome as we continue to gain experience. There is a tremendous learning curve, but there comes a point when we need to jump in and start swimming. It has been like drinking from a firehose with all the changes in 2023. Things will only get better, though, and you will see more polished content as the year goes on.

You can find the audio podcasts here; the video podcast page is here. Likewise, you can also listen/watch on Spotify, iTunes, IHeart Radio, YouTube or Rumble if that is your cup of tea, too. I have a Twitter handle, and eventually will drop podcast episodes there but I have yet to really build it up.

So, how are things with this goal – three months already into 2024?

Well, when this article was published, I have 15 – a mix of regular and BONUS EPISODES. The BONUS ones are shorter, and their intent differs slightly from those you’d normally consider in a series or season. What’s more, I have PLENTY to talk about – solo as well as with guests and spotlights (something I will be rolling out in the next two months)- so 2024 will be a promising one, for sure.

Stay tuned, subscribe wherever you consume content – and drop by the contact page if there is something you believe worthy to explore.

2024 Goals March Review – Expand the Brand

2024  – it’s time to be more intentional about this

February 2018 – that’s when I started this website. So, for 6 years, this brand has grown organically – with NO promotion or intentional promoting. During that time, this website has reached thousands, as I’ve spoken with Ph.D. candidates, authors (I have a small feature in a book rolling out in April 2024), journeymen in the field, business owners – all through a fairly organic process. I wanted to establish consistency. I needed to be relevant. I needed to be dependable. I had to expand into the podcast space.

With that as the foundation, 2024 is the year we are more intentional about expanding things. We are on Twitter, YouTube, Rumble, Facebook, Instagram (yes, I was convinced to start a page), LinkedIn, Spotify, Apple iTunes, and IHeart Radio, along with other podcast platforms – and I’m open to the possibility of even more if it makes sense. Whether it’s videos (shorts and full episodes), business cards with a QR code taking you right to the Podcast page on the website, or rocking my own merch – it’s time to get busy.

So, what does this goal look like now that a quarter of the year is in the rearview mirror?

I’m glad you asked.

Starting out, I want to drop more podcast episodes to create dependability in the space. Since I’m new to the game and will continually improve with recording, posting, editing, etc., I want a little more experience before I go full blast.

I have taken small steps, though, in pursuit of achieving this goal. Things like wearing my merchandise more, expanding the footprint on various social media platforms, telling others more frequently – and it all contributes to the build-up.

What’s more, this step has already proven to be an invaluable one.

Last month, I met a vendor who provides union-made merchandise (something I’ve looked for here, given we are promoting high-quality goods), and they want to support the brand with some merch.

Winning!

I’ve also been invited to a conference next month that I am VERY EXCITED ABOUT. I should meet some very interesting people and a lot should come from that. 😁😁

Ultimately, though, I could meet everyone I’d need to, wear anything I want, and go wherever – but it is the content that will carry this through, and I’m looking forward to seeing 2024 and all that is in store. This is THE year to grow things substantially. I’m really looking forward to it.

2024 Goals March Review – Write Extensively On Leadership

2024 – the year we thoroughly explore Leadership

While 2023 became the year of the budget, this year (and probably the next, too) is reserved for Leadership.

Why?

For a few reasons, really. First, when planning out the year, I wanted something that was not only substantive but also comprehensive; that is to say, I wanted an area of focus. Leadership has been on my mind for a while now (more on that in the articles to come), and I want to expand on both Leadership, Management, and the Skilled Trades, along with The 4 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader. I believe what I wrote – I want to flesh out the remaining leadership traits as they relate to or stem from those 4 qualities.

Secondly, I plan on writing this in my own style and experience – backed up with data wherever possible. Moreover, I don’t want to lean too heavily on other authorities, either. Instead, I want to take a unique look at leadership from two distinct perspectives; from the skilled trades point of view and whether my model is best for a more practical and task-oriented approach.

Third, I have a robust list of people I’d like to have on the podcast, and I want to capitalize on my time with them. If I am working on leadership, then the topic is front and center. I’m looking forward to some really good discussions. And based on how those discussions go, I expect I’ll tweak some articles due to substantive dialog.

Something else worth noting is while I hope to post extensively about leadership, I would expect a mixture of both podcast episodes and articles.

So – what does 2024 look like overall with March in the wings?

I’ve purchased or will buy several leadership books to broaden my perspective and understanding. A multitude of perspectives helps inform your opinion – and leadership is no different. Two impromptu visits to used bookstores have been well worth the trip; I was able to pick up some real gems during both. Adding them to what I already possess increases the quality of the library at home.

For example, I have two books by John Maxwell to review – “The 5 Levels of Leadership” and “The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader.” The latter is a compliment to his 21 laws (and the review is done already – article to come).

I’ve also been thinking about “Start With Why,” by Simon Sinek, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” by Stephen Covey,  “Extreme Ownership,” by Jocko Willink and Lief Babin, and more.

And – one of my recent used bookstore trips yielded some golden finds: The Leadership Challenge by James Kouzer and Barry Posner, Dare to Lead by Brene Brown, and Primal Leadership by Daniel Goldman. Sometime later in the year, I’ll dive into them.

I want to expand what I read, who wrote it, and deepen my understanding to broaden the application to the skilled trades. For many reasons, 2024 will yield some very interesting results.

Originally, I was planning on writing an article called “The Art of Intentionality,” but I quickly realized I needed to differentiate between leadership and life in general. Therefore, there will be two different articles about intentionality: The Art of Intentionality in Your Life and Leadership and The Art of Intentionality. One is almost done, and I haven’t started the other. Intentionality is the first of the four indispensable qualities, so it will be the first – coming soon to an electronic device near you.

2024 Goals March Review – Expand my Book Review Series

Reading is one of the greatest joys we have

I enjoy writing – I wouldn’t have stuck it out this long on the website if I didn’t. Additionally, I enjoy reading too. It would seem, though, that there are a lot of people who don’t. Or, perhaps, they just can’t. Consider this from Literacy Inc:

“50% of U.S. adults are unable to read an eighth grade level book. 33% of U.S. high school graduates never read a book after high school. 80% of U.S. families have not purchased a book this year. 50% of books started are never read to completion.”

Then there is this nugget:

“Statistically two thirds of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of fourth grade will end up in jail or on welfare. Students who don’t read proficiently by the third grade are four times likelier to drop out of school.”

As far as I’m concerned, those stats are a travesty. And while I cannot change anyone’s operating status, maybe I can inspire some through pursuing and achieving results in what I do – including reading good books.

Now, compare the above to this tidbit found on Medium:

“In the book “Me We Do Be: The Four Cornerstones of Success,” socio-economist Randall Bell says, “Those who read seven or more books per year are more than 122 percent more likely to be millionaires as opposed to those who never read or only read one to three books.”

Well, I was able to pick up Start Something That Matters recently, and I was pleasantly surprised at how good the book was. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership review published on the website and January’s The 15 Invaluable Laws of Personal Growth dropped already – and several more are in the wings (in no particular order), like:

• The Leadership Challenge by James Kouzes and Barry Posner
• Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
• How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age by Dale Carnegie and Associates
• The Legacy Journey by Dave Ramsey
• 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism by Ha-Joon Chang
• The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader by John C. Maxwell
• No Limits by John C. Maxwell
• The Five Minute Foreman by Mark Breslin
• Pensionless: The 10-Step Solution for a Stress-Free Retirement by Emily Brandon
• Managing in the Next Society by Peter F. Drucker
• Mad Genius by Randy Gage
• Bullsh** Jobs by David Graeber
• Atomic Habits by James Clear

IF I read and review the books I want, 2024 (and perhaps every year going forward) will be interesting, to say the least.

Stay tuned for more, and if you have any book recommendations, I’m all ears.

Conclusion

Even good articles have to end sometime

March 2024 – along with the subsequent goals, looks good. We are also gaining momentum on all fronts, too. Subscribe for monthly progress emails here at the website and on whatever platform you consume podcast content, whether it’s YouTube, Rumble, Spotify, iTunes, etc. or wherever else you listen – and I encourage you to set your own goals and pursue their achievement. Otherwise, you are merely meandering through life, allowing it to simply happen to you. Maybe that’s you reading this, today. It could be you are tired of the status quo, feel the need to change, and are willing to pursue – but do not know where to start.

Wherever you are – or find yourself in these turbulent times – start by setting some goals and pursuing them, periodically evaluating where you are, and making necessary adjustments.

So, what are you waiting for? Set some goals and change your life.

2024 Goals March Review Done!