Top Stories, books, podcasts and learnings
The year 2024 is coming to an end, and with that, I want to share with you my favorite books and podcasts, as well as my top learnings, successes, and losses.
Let’s go:
3 learnings
- creating a product doesn’t mean it gets sold
- I’m worthy and awesome
- life is the path and not the goal
The #1 learning this year was that creating a product doesn’t mean it gets sold. I created my first online course this year, put in much thought and work, and nobody bought it.
I tried some different strategies as well as a Black Friday discount, but nothing worked.
This hit my self-confidence, but after reading the book “Worthy” by Jamie Kern Lima I know I’m still worthy and awesome. I’m not giving up because I know I have the skills to help other people.
The 2nd biggest learning this year was after I graduated with a Master’s degree in architecture. I accomplished something I worked on for years, and it didn’t feel like a big release.
Life is about the path to a goal, and not the goal itself.
3 successes
- created my first online course
- doubled my subscribers and followers
- consistently continued writing and posting
I’m proud of myself for continuing and going out of my comfort zone with my online writing business. I didn’t give up.
After I started my full-time job in August, it was a big adjustment to fit my writing and posting into the new schedule, but I made it work.
I’m not giving up my business anymore.
And it paid off because I doubled my subscribers and followers and got some great feedback for my work.
Don’t give up!
It takes some time and you have to be patient (a hard lesson to learn), but it’s worth it!
3 fails
- master thesis took longer than expected – too slow at the beginning
- took time to start doing
- after working 35 hours: too tired, and not good sleep to work efficiently on my online business
I started with my master’s thesis 1 year ago, and I wanted to have the defense in June but postponed it to October (there’s no date in between).
Writing it took longer than I expected, and I was too slow at the beginning just researching and reading a lot. I was more motivated to do something for my online business than for my thesis.
This is my #1 failure this year I’m learning from: start doing faster!
I postponed my thesis and my online course because I thought I wasn’t ready.
The 2nd fail was thinking I could do some work on my online business after working full-time. I’m usually too tired and just want to chill in front of the TV.
It’s usually because sometimes I’m not sleeping well, but I need to work on motivating myself after work again and set some boundaries for watching TV.
My top 3 Stories
Most Viewed
Highest Conversion Rate
The Most Likes
3 Best Books I Read This Year
‘Worthy’ by Jamie Kern Lima
I always struggled with believing in myself and my self-esteem. This book was a life-changer. It made me realize how I’m limiting myself by not believing in myself and my skills.
An awesome book that every woman should read once in their life!
‘The Wealth Money Can’t Buy’ by Robin Sharma
Robin Sharma is one of my favorite authors. I think this book is one of his best ones yet because it includes so many life lessons in short chapters. It’s a big book, but you can read it in small portions and apply the lessons immediately.
Definitely a book to re-read yearly!
‘Right Thing, Right Now’ by Ryan Holiday
I’ve been following Ryan Holiday and Stoicism for a while now, and this book just hit the timing. Even though the lessons are based on stories from 2000 years ago, they are valuable today. What makes a good character: kindness, good values, and deeds.
And I’m missing those these days. This book is a motivation to do more good.
My Top Podcasts
I decreased my time of listening to podcasts this year because it was just too much. There are too many episodes and too much information. I was overwhelmed.
But I got the most value out of those 5 podcasts; that’s why they are my favorites.
- Lewis Howes is interviewing really interesting people and I always learn something new
- Ali Abdaal is talking a lot about productivity and online business which gives me a lot of value and new ideas
- Rob Dial does motivational and inspiring short podcasts that I love to listen to while cleaning or cooking
- And Lindsay and Jen are my business role models, talking about their life lessons, community, online business,…
After reading about the top podcasts worldwide, I started listening to ‘The Diary of a CEO’ and I already learned so much. I totally recommend that too!
Bonus: My Favorite Motivational Playlist
I love music!
And I love music that motivates me and makes me confident.
I made my own playlist for that, and I’m sharing it with you so it can help you too to motivate yourself and make your work more confident!
Less Stress. More Time. Less Overwhelmed!
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