Wow. This has been quite the thrill ride of a year.
So, where to start?
Let’s check in on My Three Words…
My Three Words from 2017
Moonshot, Known, and Ready.
This was one of my best years ever. Both in business and in my personal life, I feel like I’ve reached the moon and back. I wanted a moonshot year…I think I got it.
I wanted to be more well known. After thousands of podcast downloads for Shareable, 14 speaking engagements (including an international speaking engagement), and all of the amazing new people I’ve met, I know that I am more well known than last year, and I hope to accelerate this journey even more in 2018 with more speaking engagements and the release of my upcoming book.
As 2017 comes to a close I feel that I have been ready for whatever life has thrown at me.
Content: Writing, Podcasting, Video Blogging
This year was a unique year for content production.
In 2017, I created or co-created:
- 117 blog posts* across three different websites: Social Media Philanthropy, A Day in the Life, and Jeff Gibbard News and Events
- 61 episodes of Shareable
- 30 True Voice Media TV videos
- 9 True Voice Media blog posts
- Hosted 14 True Voice Media podcast episodes
- 22 vlog episodes
*all of which have been consolidated and combined on this website
From a volume standpoint, that’s around average for me.
But, more importantly, I feel like I’m much more in sync with WHY I’m creating content than I have in the past few years. For several years, I felt as though I was going through the motions. This year, my content felt like it had a purpose.
My podcast, Shareable, was a happy accident. I’d been going along just creating a podcast for True Voice Media, and the opportunity to start Shareable came along. To date the show has been downloaded more than 35,000 times. While that pales in comparison to some of the giants out there, I’m very proud of our little podcast that could. We even made it into the top 5 on Overcast a few times.
As 2017 draws to a close, I’m happy that I finally got a handle on all of my content projects, and consolidated my web presence. Now I’m primarily creating content on three website: here, on my new personal blog and podcast called the Variety Show, and on my podcast Shareable.
Public Speaking
I’ve had a good year speaking. I spoke 15 times professionally, and in each case, I learned something that has made me a better speaker. I finally landed on a topic for my flagship talk. When I speak in 2018, I will almost exclusively be giving a version of this talk.
I’ve also had the good fortune of knowing some truly amazing speakers who have given me advice and guidance along my speaking career. I’m truly grateful for all of them.
My Company and the Team
Our top line revenue grew by nearly 66% over 2016. Along the way, while thinking of various growth strategies, I met with a coach who specializes in helping agencies grow. He recommended that in order to reach my goals, I should either acquire an agency, merge with an agency, or consider being acquired. Then by chance, the head of another agency that I’m close with approached me with a conversation about joining forces. I’m excited to share more details about this in the coming days and weeks.
Aside from that, our team was the most stable it has ever been. Throughout the years, I’ve had people come and go. Sometimes it was a matter of fit. Sometimes it was cash flow.
This year, we had our core team all year. We also had 4 interns this year. Between working with these various team members and seeing inside various other companies, I’m convinced more than ever of just how important leadership really is. Culture is something that you can’t cover up, and you can’t bullshit your way through. Speaking of which…
Leadership / Delegation
I spend a lot of time thinking about how to be the best leader I can be. And while I approach leadership similarly to how I approach my career (i.e never quite satisfied), I think I’ve made great strides in my ability to delegate, relinquish control and trust in my team. Along the way, I’ve been writing down all of the various methods I use to communicate with my team, and the strategies I use to get the most out of everyone, including myself.
Work/Life Balance
This area has always been a struggle for me, but this year was the biggest step in the right direction. There is literally only one variable to attribute this to…Erica. My fiancé Erica.
She has helped me to relax in a way I haven’t known in over a decade. I now go to sleep at a normal hour. I get up earlier. I unplug more often when I get home. I prefer spending time enjoying her company, rather than worrying about my company.
My personal life is now balancing out my work life. All of this is due to Erica.
217 Looking Back
2017 was a great year. Sure, there was plenty of stuff going on in the world that I wish happened differently. But overall, my life improved in every facet over the course of the last 12 months.
I hope you had a great year too.
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If you’re feeling like sharing, tell me one thing that would’ve made your year better in the comments.