2024 is toast! Burnt toast...

Thanks 2024, and good riddance!

Ever burnt a slice of toast and scraped it off?
Then you'll know the taste of blackened toast slices.
No matter how much you scrape that slice, you can’t get rid of that bitterness.

As I’m sitting here in the Sun City holiday resort, typing up the last newsletter for 2025, I’m thinking about yesterday’s breakfast:

I burnt 2 of those mini-croissants in the toaster.

Watched them char slowly in front of my eyes.

(someone dialed the toaster to max).

I couldn't save them.

All I could do was practice some acceptance.

Still ate them - scraped the black bits out and put some bitter marmalade…

But burnt toast is burnt toast…

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2024, In Hindsight

It has been a rough year…

My role at work changed 4 times in the last 12 months.

Most of this was out of my control, but I’m optimistic things have stabilized now.

Still, the impact on my top 3 2024 goals was massive, but let’s see how it went:

1. Spouse Goal (Smashing Success)
   My wife and I carved out 5–8 PM each day for “us” time. This produced the greatest returns - we had some quality conversations, and could discuss the tough things going on in life, despite our busy work schedules. I highly recommend something like this if you want to improve connection with your partner.

2. Finance Goal (Gold Star Achieved)
   We had some great conversations around budget, plans and made actual changes to align to those. Overall, I’m pleased with the interventions, and happy to shift focus elsewhere for next year.

3. Health Goal (Major Strikeout)
   I’m in decent shape, but honestly failed with the gym aspirations. I simply could not get a consistent habit going. Ironic, since I posted on linkedin 52 weeks in a row, how come I failed here? Something to unpack for next year - this goal remains…

Feeling the Same Way?

How did you do with your top 3 goals for the 2024?

What does your “Wheel of Life” look like?

If you struggled, you’re not alone.

No matter, we should be grateful to be alive and breathing, and so we go again next year.

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Enter 2025,

Looking at my wheel, there’s obviously a lot of work in terms of career (new role for next year) and business (have some growth targets to achieve for Scary Management), but I decided to make these 3 front and center in terms of the Wheel of Life:

1. Health Goal: Just Show Up
   Nothing radical here. I’m aiming for consistency: sticking to three gym visits a week. The fail this year was no consistency, and other milestones/goals can follow from this one.

2. Hobbies Goal: Bring Back Joy
   I’m rejoining the local pool league. Why? Pool is in my blood. 10,000 hours spent, and national colours achieved, but I really miss the camaraderie of cheering each other on and the trash talk. My personal goal? Top 10 finish. My real goal? Laugh more, reconnect with old friends, and enjoy the thrill of returning to mastery on the pool table.

3. Wife Goal: Intentional Romance
   Last year, I allowed work and business consume me too much. This year, I’m taking the lead. I need to plan date nights, weekend getaways, cooking experiments, and all round more attention. After all, she’s had my back through thick and thin. Time to show her she’s a priority, not an afterthought.

Balance: The Eternal Unicorn

Achieving the perfect balance with your wheel of life is not realistic.

But chasing balance and aiming for better is doable.

I choose to enjoy that chase.

And narrow focus.

Your Turn

If you’ve read this far, and also had a rough 2024, here’s a gold star for you. ⭐️ 

I’d love to hear how you’re steering your own Wheel of Life in 2025.

What are your top 3 goals to maximize the year?

What’s your motivation for these 3 goals?

Seriously—drop me a message.

Lastly, I wanted to say thanks for your support over the year. From the data on our Beehiiv email platform, you are a highly engaged audience, and this motivates me to keep improving and bringing you better content.

Have a great new year and see you in 2025!

Cheers,

Vaugan

PS: Are you curious about starting your own newsletter?

Just reply to this email, and I’m happy to chat and advise you.

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