NickVenturella.com 12-28-14

Thanks for a great year

December 28, 2014

So I just celebrated my 35th birthday yesterday. I'm officially an adult, I suppose.  Who am I kidding, it's just a number -- I'm as young as I feel.

Certainly, though, I have learned several things over the years and this year is no different.  Because my birthday falls near the end of the year it always ends up being a perfect time for year-in-review reflection.

From a family-life stand-point, it's been a year full of goodness, wonder and tragedy.  With the good their are often equal counterparts of not so good, but there are things to learn and grow from in each moment, and I'm grateful for those moments.  I'm always better for having gone through it, having been present and holding on to the positive parts of each experience -- not always easy to do, trust me, I know.

How about you?  Do you take time to reflect on the year as it comes to an end?  I would encourage you to do so if you've never really done it before, and I mean write out your thoughts.  

There's something about documenting things that have happened to you that gets it out and forces you to read it back in a tangible form -- that has a powerful impact and encourages you to, at least for a moment, focus on your thoughts and emotions.  It can be easy to bury those thoughts and emotions or skim over them, but much of what makes you, you lies in those thoughts and emotions.  You're worth it and it's worth it to examine them from time to time.

This reflection is where we build a stronger relationship with ourselves which, let's face it, is just as important, if not more so than the relationships we have with others because if we don't have our own house in order it's hard to help others, especially those you care deeply about. (Though, perfection is out of reach…it's more of a practiced discipline that enlightens you further with each pass.)

For me, self-knowledge and self-reflection is intertwined with faith and hope.  Maybe that's not your thing, and that's fine, but it's been helpful and necessary for me.

One of the things I'm extremely grateful for this year is you. My websites, NickVenturella.com, GrowLoop.com, NickVmusic.net and TinyCareer.com have all been personal and business outlets for me that are designed to help you relate, glean useful ideas and grow your own life and business.  If you've been able to take away one positive, inspiring thought from my efforts then I'm pretty happy (not necessarily satisfied because I want you to have more than one, but happy nonetheless).

Thank you for allowing me to journey with you.  I get a good deal of inspiring thoughts and ideas from you each week.

Some points of note from this year if you're interested:  

  • This year you helped my email list doubled in size

  • With your readership I've successfully begun monetizing my blog

  • With your interest in my music, I recorded and released my 10th music album, Light of Mourning, which has been embraced graciously by fans.

  • Because of your questions and demand, I released 5 business marketing and music marketing ebooks this year

I have so many more thoughts and ideas for marketing, art and music projects for next year, which wouldn't have arrived to me without you and your feedback. Thank you.

Keep investing in yourself and I'll do my best to keep investing in you too.  We're better together.

Thanks,