Happy New Year! I hope you brought in the new year exactly how you wanted. It seems like each year passes faster than the last. I probably said that last year, too, but it’s true. I cannot believe it’s 2024. This year, I’ll turn 31 years young, celebrate my fourth wedding anniversary, and celebrate two years since I launched my podcast.
As each year passes and I reflect on the previous year, it’s a reminder of how short life is because of how fast it goes. I am trying to be in the present as much as possible and cherish precious moments with my family. I need to stop living in the future and focus on the now.
Speaking of focus – that is my word for this year. And there are four areas where my focus will be this year. I transferred many of my goals for this year from last year because I didn’t accomplish them. You can read about that here. So here are the four areas I want to focus on this year.
1. First Focus Area – Spiritual
A few years ago, I was disciplined when it came to reading the Bible and journaling daily. In the early morning, I would listen to the Bible and write in my journal afterwards. Somewhere along the way, I stopped. I wasn’t doing it consistently. It became a sometimes or here-and-there situation. And as a result of that, I feel like my faith isn’t as strong as it was before.
Towards the end of last year, I started completing Bible studies and unintentionally led a study group. The Bible studies we did were rich in history and had thought-provoking questions. I felt like I was learning more about the stories in the Bible than ever before. And for this reason, I want to focus this year on reading more Bible studies.
2. My Health
Last year, I said I wanted to be disciplined with working out consistently. That only happened during the Summer. So this is a goal I’m transferring to this year because I need to focus on my health and get serious about eating healthy and being a healthy weight.
I’m disciplined in certain areas of my life, but not my health and this needs to change. I realized that I need to invest in my health now to be healthy when I’m older. There are aches and pains that I have now that I shouldn’t have for my age, but I know it’s because my health isn’t all that great. So, this year, my focus will be on consistently moving my body at least three times a week.
3. Business/Podcast
Last year, there were a lot of transitions when it came to my business. I stopped blogging for a while and joined Substack; I launched the YouTube channel for my podcast and launched a six-week program to help people launch their podcasts. This year, I want to focus on growing my business and podcast.
For my business, I want to help launch 20 podcasts, launch the podcast course by February so people can do it at their own pace, and continue to provide the free monthly Masterclass on how to launch. For my podcast, my main goal is to make it to 1,000 subscribers on YouTube. And, of course, continue to produce great content and lift immigrant voices. Eventually, one year, I’d love to win an award for my show.
I’ve also had the privilege of interviewing a few authors on my podcast. This got me thinking how amazing it was that not only did they immigrate to a new country, but they published a book in a language that isn’t their native one, and I got to read their work and talk to them about it. I’m truly grateful and in awe of everything that God is doing in my life and with this podcast!
4. Last Focus Area – Personal
I’ll include family and marriage in this area because it’s personal. This year, I want to focus on being present in the moments, especially moments with my family. It seems like many people take pictures and videos to post, and I get that everything is content, but I want to change that. I want to take pictures and videos just for us. To relive those moments and look back at wonderful memories. Not everything needs to be posted on social media.
In regard to my marriage, I want to continue to grow in love with my husband. And continue to create wonderful memories with him. God has blessed me beyond measure with my family and marriage, and I am forever grateful for my life partner. I can’t wait to see how God blesses us in 2024!
With Love, Heidy
Do you have a word of the year? I’d love to hear about it.
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