The end of a year is always bittersweet. You wish there was a little more time to finish what you set out to do and more time to catch your breath before a new year begins.
But that never happens.
Life keeps rolling like a freight train without a destination. Well, at least a very far off destination.
2011 was an exciting year. I named it the year of “launching”, in which I focused on launching projects – being a doer not just a talker. Here are some things I did:
- I relaunched this blog in January
- I decided to develop the habit of writing every day
- I wrote my first e-book for worship leaders, Beyond Sunday
- I made a little money through blogging 🙂
- I began work on a live recording my worship team and I are recording in May
The Challenge Of Shipping
There’s something to be said for shipping. It’s much easier to dream, take notes, study, and stall. Shipping launches you into the realm of the unknown.
We face insecurities.
Will anybody like this?
Am I a complete fake?
Do I have what it takes?
There’s two truths I learned through the process. First of all, the more you ship the more criticism you receive. I realized those who never ship take joy in criticizing those who do. I developed thicker skin and more resilience to keep creating.
Second, I realized I can do more than I ever thought possible. Writing every day is definitely a sacrifice and a challenge, but not as much as I thought it was. The more I wrote, the more creative I got.
And the same can be said for you.
What Are You Facing in 2012?
What are your challenges and concerns for 2012? What are you planning to launch this year that will change the world in some way?
I want to hear from you. What has made this blog successful is the interaction I’ve had with you. I’d love for you to leave a comment and answer these questions.
1. What are your challenges in 2012?
2. What are you planning to launch this year?
Matter of fact, I’ll be the first to start.
Let’s encourage one another as we pursue the projects God has for us this year. If you’ve never left a comment, I’d love to hear from you today. It’s better when we all contribute.
See you in the comments.
OK, I said I’d go first 🙂
I’m excited and nervous for 2012. Excited to launch some new projects, one of them being a live worship recording. It’s rather freaky to release something like this, but I’ve learned it’s always better to ship than to hold back because of fear. But the songs my team is writing are fantastic and I can’t wait for you to hear them later this year.
I’m also nervous because I’m tired and hoping I can regain some focus and refreshment before this year really takes off. Just being honest 🙂
What about you?
Today was the first of several projects that I’ve been working on. I’ve been working on a “longer” book off and on for nearly 2 years and the bottom line is that I’m afraid of how it will be received. And I’m afraid people won’t take me seriously.
And anyone who is reading this post, make sure you go download his new manifesto: http://thehandwritten.com/start-over/
Michael is doing some awesome stuff.
Awesome!
its very cool
I have a major challenge of deciding what medical school I will attend. I am very nervous!
So far, I have been putting forth the effort to make me stand out. I recently (launched jan 1st) put together a medical website. I’m hoping that I can develop it well enough to be able to put it on my resume for medical schools to look at.
The site is: http://www.studenttosurgeon.wordpress.com. Feel free to let me know what you think!
You’re a blogging machine, Brandon! I had no idea you were looking into medical school. That’s awesome! Are you planning to go in the fall?
Challenges:
1) Lose 40 pounds
2) Raise $$ for missions projects
Launching:
1) Publish e-book(s) & webinar(s)
2) Launch new website for business idea
3) Finish and release new music CD
Blessings on you David! Keep up the good work!
Wow. A combination of excitement and exhaustion just washed over me as I read this 🙂 You’re the real deal, Rob. I look forward to seeing these things come to pass.
I am definitely aiming for more shipping and less stalling in 2012. I am a staller by nature. Case in point – I don’t think I’ve ever commented on a blog before, and as I thought about posting here I stalled thinking “what should I write? what should I say?”
Challenges:
.Starting a family in the face of infertility
.Keeping focused on the things God wants me to spend my time doing and NOT getting distracted
Launching:
.A new vision for our worship team, and training through the Worship Central course
Thanks, David, for your dedication and faithfulness. May God bless you beyond what you can imagine this year!
Andrew
Andrew, thanks for commenting! Good to connect. Seems like a very challenge, yet faith-filled year. You need God to move, which is a great place to be.
What do you think of the Worship Central course? I’m not super familiar with that.
I have only read through the overview and the first lesson, but it is very well put together, Biblically sound, and I really enjoy the whole Worship Central team – Tim Hughes, Al Gordon, et al. I listen to their podcast regularly, and find it extremely helpful, uplifting and practical. I am very excited about using this course, and I think our team will really get great benefit from it. I’ll let you know how it is going as we start in the next couple months!
I’ve chosen to participate in Jon Acuff’s Finish Year (information here: http://www.jonacuff.com/blog/the-hardest-part-of-a-project-is-also-the-most-important/)
My list is here: http://hajna.tumblr.com/post/15312278967/gpoyw-finish-year-edition
The thing I’m most scared about is having to share music I’ve written with others because it feels like I’m sharing too much of my soul. But music that stays in the piano doesn’t do much good. So I want to challenge myself to record an album.
Sharayah, that is awesome. I can understand the nervousness of sharing music with others. I’m in the midst of it right now. It’s always better to share. When do you plan to record?
I’m not sure yet. I’ve never done anything of that nature, and am not sure how complete any of my songs are. Probably late July because I’m a teacher and the summer months give me time off to focus on that. This goal is still rather fuzzy in that I don’t know what I’m doing, but I want to push myself to do something bigger than me.
Well, it’s in writing now so you HAVE to do it 😉
Hey David!
This year for Worship and Arts at church I am beginning a mentoring time with my worship leaders. I’m carving out Saturday mornings with them once a month.
For my personal ministry, Genuine Worship, I am relaunching my website and making it more interactive, and I am doing my 2nd live recording in September.
I’m also continuing and increasing the promotion of my first recording.
To get all this done, I am saying NO to some things. The Holy Spirit whispered that to me at the end of last year that I am not to go where his presence does not send me. No matter if it’s doing a friend a favor, or whether it seems like an awesome opportunity or not. This year it is about linear focus.