Kicking off 2024: A word and a song

It’s 2024, and this is now the eighth edition of my annual kicking off posts, which have been a good bit of fun over the years — to both write and to look back on.

Here are the past posts: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017

Speaking of looking back, I’ve long been a believer in journaling. And while writing stuff down is valuable, the biggest wins come from revisiting our thoughts and ideas later. It’s in this delicious reflection of our writing where we better understand ourselves, and as a result, lead better lives. (Us actively leading, rather than time just passing as we hurry through life.)

If you’ve never tried journaling (it doesn’t have to be elaborate or complex), this is a perfect time to give it a go (or try it again)!

And as a wild throwback to the value and joys of writing, I came into possession of a box of letters that I had written to a high school girlfriend. I remember writing to her (and enjoying it) way back then, but the volume of letters and notes I wrote to her (close to 100) blew my mind.

Here is an example of a letter (albeit a more creative one with visuals), from the early 90s:

Credit: Dave O’Hagan (with permission to share)

In looking at the letters, it’s wild to see: what was important to me then, how I talked about my relationship and future with her, and how I perceived the world in general. (Oh, and how many corny jokes I made.)

The box is really a wonderful gift. And a lot of entertaining and enlightening reading!

Word

My word for 2024: storytelling

Storytelling has played a core part of my work and life for years now. Storytelling is also something that brings joy, depth, and growth to our lives. So it’s apt that I formalize it as my word for the year.

Credit: Time Out

“Facts tell, stories sell.”

You’ve likely heard this before. It sounds great, and as a bonus it rhymes.

And whether you agree or disagree with it, I very much like it, given:

• Humans are wired for stories (Watching Netflix will nearly always beat out sitting in a budget meeting; We love to connect with the lives and journeys of the characters)
• Stories are memorable (Memories are core to our lives, and bring lots of joy, in both recalling and sharing)
• Sharing stories build bonds (People connect and bond over stories, both uplifting and sad ones)
• Stories help us become better communicators (as colleagues, sales people, parents, friends, etc)

You might say I’m not much of a writer or a storyteller. Lots of people <unfortunately> don’t think they’re creative. (Which is pretty much dead wrong.)

So even if you think your work or your life is not particularly creative, it’s worth crafting stories in your life.

If you do, I can almost guarantee that you’ll be more success (a good thing), but you’ll very likely enjoy it too (also a very good thing!).

Make 2024 the year you really told stories, and your story. It can be engaging, uplifting, and motivating for you and for the listeners.

Here’s my quick-and-dirty practical storytelling process for you for 2024:

1. Pause: take time to stop everything you’re doing, and sit and think about something you want to share; e.g., a just-completed project, a long-time friendship, a grueling hike, a child’s success, a unique collaboration tool
2. Facts: capture quick bullet points about the key details of the story scenario
3. Audience: who will you tell your story to? your team, your best friend, your boss, your class, your child
4. Story: give your story some structure (again with quick bullet points)
5. Test: practice delivering your story (casually) to your spouse, your kids, your colleague (using your bullet points as a guide), etc

Here are a couple of story topics I’m currently building out: South Florida boating, LEGO for boundary pushing, and extended families.

Let me know how your story goes!

Song

My song for 2024: I Wish That I Could See You Soon, by Herman Dune

Credit: Parlophone Music Spain

This joyful song nicely combines the ideas of memories and the future—nostalgia and hope.

Regardless of what we’ve been through in our lives, most everyone—if pressed—can recall good times in our life. Times when we were alive and joyful: a family holiday, a successful project at work, a wonderful grandmother, a favorite spot by the lake, an uplifting friendship.

And these memories prove to be excellent fuel when times aren’t as good.

We humans tend to focus on the present — too heavily at times.

Particularly if things aren’t going our way. A better view in these difficult times is one to the future. A future where today’s challenge has already been solved.

And to power the shift to the positive we should tap into our library of great memories. Our fuel for the future and for success.

So here’s to reuniting with both inspiring memories and friendly folks, in 2024 and beyond!