2023 Goals – Year End Review

At the beginning of 2023, I decided to establish 5 new goals – and track the progress throughout the year. Those 5 goals were:

1. Continue to post bi-monthly articles
2. Write a series of posts on budgeting
3. Explore active and passive income streams
4. Research and plan some trips
5. Research and explore a podcast

You can check the monthly progress by clicking on any of these links here:

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December

Now that the year is over, I felt it was prudent to assess how well I actually did in achieving those 5 goals. Let’s take a look at each – starting with regular and consistent article publishing.

Set goals and be sure to start somewhere

 

2023 Goals – Continue to Post Bi-monthly Articles

Publish regular and consistent content is important

I have been reluctant to promote this website and, by extension, the podcast for quite a while, now, beyond a random conversation or two.

The reason? I wanted to make sure I was very consistent in putting content out there. Nothing like trying to get people to read/listen and then driving them AWAY because of inconsistency and sporadic posting/releasing.

After two years of continual and scheduled articles, I believe I can be more aggressive in promoting the brand – and feel good about it. For example, the following articles were published just this year:

1. 2023 Goals
2. Five Years In – What I’ve Learned
3. 2023 Goals – February Review
4. Reverse Budgeting and Building a Case For Opportunity
5. 2023 Goals – March Review
6. 10 Benefits of Being a Union Contractor
7. 2023 Goals – April Review
8. 100 Articles!
9. 2023 Goals – May Review
10. Living Below Your Means
11. 2023 Goals – June Review
12. Avoiding Lifestyle Inflation
13. 2023 Goals – July Review
14. Benefits of Being a Union Member
15. 2023 Goals – August Review
16. Happy Labor Day 2023
17. Reevaluating Your Budget
18. The Real Anthony Fauci – My Book Review
19. 2023 Goals – September Review
20. Introducing Finances to Your Children
21. 2023 Goals – October Review
22. Tips to Help You Budget Better
23. What Are You Thankful For?
24. 2023 Goals – November Review
25. What Do You REALLY Need To Live?
26. 2023 Goals – December Review
27. 2023 Goals – Year-End Review

As the above indicates, I have been rather robust in publishing articles here at The Wealthy Ironworker – so much so and with the podcast coming on live, I have been toying around with the idea of a newsletter to disperse in addition to what we are doing, now.

(Don’t worry; the newsletter would have a different look and feel than a traditional article – IF it even comes to fruition.)

Oh, and if you were into details, the 26 articles above (excluding this one) came to a total of 63,546 words for an average word count per article of 2,444. According to this website, it takes between 12 to 19 minutes to read a 2,400 article.

Nothing but substance, here.

By the end of 2024, we will have multiple channels open for communication – something I am excited to see.

To that end, the overall grade for posting bi-monthly articles?

A+

 

2023 Goals – Write a Series of Posts on Budgeting

Budgeting shouldn’t be a difficult topic to talk/discuss

Part of the previous goal was to publish bimonthly – which also happily falls under this goal, too.

The Budgeting Series was fun to explore – from the abstract to the nuanced and complex – and it’s something I’m excited to leave for future readers to read, adapt, and use for their own financial lives. I KNOW A LOT of people could use them for their financial good.

Some articles pack more punch, while others are more applicable in certain life seasons. Regardless of where you may find yourself, there is something for you to read and use.

So, as you can see, I was successful in putting content out there on a bimonthly basis – which is what I was aiming for.

And if there is something I may have missed with this particular series, I am always open to suggestions. Feel free to go to the contact page, fill out the form, and drop me a line!

Grade for this goal?

A+

 

 

2023 Goals –Explore active and passive income streams

Alternative income streams allow for some diversification in our profile

Starting out, I spent less time than initially planned researching alternative income streams. It could be I was unrealistic, and that is probably true. Still, I wanted to start down this path earlier and be further along. After all, this has been something I’ve written about for two years, now.

We DID start renting our old house out beginning in March of 2023, so at least we’ve begun. And, based on the demand I’ve received for potential merchandise, I’ve explored that option, too – and you can go to the store by clicking here.

All other avenues, however, are on the perennial backburner. They may be used as they present themselves but to actively explore? That was sooo last year.

Grade for this particular goal?

C

 

2023 Goals – Research and plan some trips

Research, plan, save, execute – there is A LOT that goes into taking good trips

 

I traveled quite a bit this year, more than any other before it – between 20 to 25% – but most of those trips were for work. Wherever possible, I try to mix business with personal, capitalize on the fact I have to be out of town, and give my family a place to go exploring. It doesn’t always line up, and planned trips are usually better executed.

And when I did take planned trips with the family, they were both quick and fun. Nothing really more than a few days here and there – no real planning to be spoken of.

However, there were no serious trips discussed or planned this year. We still may take a lengthy trip, but it won’t be due to an extensive planning session(s). Oh, well – can’t win them all.

Grade for this goal?

F

 

 

2023 Goals – Research and explore a podcast

This is the goal I was most excited about. 

I have spent an enormous amount of my free time researching various bits of information connected to the podcast: recording, hosting, editing, publishing, distributing, etc. It isn’t uncommon to see me with my laptop at 11:00 PM on many nights.

I probably should have started the podcast earlier than December, but I have this thing where I need to understand what I’m actually doing and the mechanics behind it. I needed to understand the step-by-step process seeing as how I am the one doing everything.

It probably didn’t help that I was exploring setting up the shop page with merchandise and switching over to a new website host AT THE SAME TIME.

Oh well.

And, for numerous reasons, it has taken me this long to get the understanding I sought. Now that I have a firm grasp, it is full steam ahead.

For this particular goal, I was looking to RESEARCH AND EXPLORE a podcast – and I have done that – and more. You can find the podcast episodes here: Audio or Video.

Additionally, the podcast is on the following channels/hosts: Spotify, iTunes, IHeart Radio, YouTube and Rumble. Twitter will be coming sometime in the future.

IF there is another platform you’d like to see it on, feel free to drop me a line, giving me your reason why, and we’ll see if I can be convinced to post there, too.

Grade for this goal?

A

*** I’d look for a podcast episode to drop every week – and sometimes more when the opportunity shows itself. The podcast will continue to grow – not just in content but also in importance.***

Wrapping up the year

Let’s put a nice bow on 2023, shall we?

I’ve had some success but also setbacks with the goals for 2023. Nevertheless, I’m convinced goals are worth setting and pursuing. Otherwise, you are wandering aimlessly through life, being tossed to and fro with every little wave. When I look back, I can see how things in life just happen and derail you – and that’s alright. What’s important is that you achieve and pursue something. And when you are thrown curveballs? Adapt and overcome.

Overall grade for the 2023 year?

C+

Oof – that F really takes it all down a notch or two, doesn’t it?

 

So, wrapping this all up, I have a question for you: what were your goals, and how well did you achieve them?