YOUR IMPACT STORY – more than just a podcast

It is hard to believe another year has come to an end. Each year for as long as I can remember I spend time reflecting on the year that’s past and begin planning for the year to come. I love this time. Years ago I would take one or two days in mid December as the year began to wind down. Today that time is usually soon after the books have closed on the previous year. Regardless of when it works into your schedule, spend time reflecting on the past year and planning for this year to become the best version of yourself, one day at a time.

I’m Dustin Rogers, it is our goal to inspire you to have a positive impact on the world around you one day at a time. This is episode one, YOUR IMPACT STORY.

What were your goals for 2024?

Did you accomplish all you set out to?

How long did you stick with your New Year’s resolutions?

What worked well?

What didn’t?

What was your greatest win?

What was your favorite memory?

What was your biggest lesson learned?

What will you do differently in 2025?

This year in my reflection time I decided to think through some lessons learned for the year. Some were things I’ve known for years but events or circumstances of the year brought those lessons back to the surface or my learning and understanding deepened. There are probably some things I should have listed that I did not. I’m far from perfect but here’s a shot at some of what 2024 taught me and how I’ll strive to be a better version of me in 2025 and beyond.

2024 Lessons Learned

Self Awareness. Our minds can be our greatest tool and ally or our greatest enemy. Chances are, who you are or seem to be to others is not entirely how you see yourself. To align who you are with who you want to be, you have to really gain understanding of yourself. Ask others for feedback but do so with an open mind and heart to be in a place to take criticism and use it to become a better version of yourself. 

Accountability. I’m not perfect. I never have been, never will be. If we truly seek to better ourselves daily, we have to hold ourselves accountable and be willing to accept the feedback that comes and learn from it. Surround yourself with people who hold you accountable to be a better version of yourself everyday.

Acceptance. In business and in life I’ve always wanted to fix things and create desired outcomes. I’ve learned to accept that what I want, need or desire is not always the what happens. Today I seek to provide positive outcomes in the things I can control and manage my responses and/or energy toward things which I cannot control. 

Communication. It is critical. Communication is how we as humans can share with others our wants, needs, desires, thoughts and feelings. Understanding that how you communicate and/or want to be communicated with might not be how someone else does. Communication can build relationships and help us avoid future conflict if all parties are on the same page with the reason for the communication, the intentions or goals in the communication and respect for one another in the process. So much good can come from communicating. So much bad can come when it’s done without respect or regard for the other party. Communicate often. Communicate better.

Ask. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Asking the right people the right questions can unlock so many doors. 

Listen. Most people will tell you what you need to hear but it’s up to you to decode, retain and most importantly do something about it. Listen to understand, not respond. 

Read. 10 pages a day, 10 minutes a day, whatever works for you. Just make it a non-negotiable and read daily. 

Learn. Dedicate time in every day to work on or learn something new. 

Show Up. It has been said that 80% of success in life is showing up. Go. 

Set Goals. The picture in your mind of who or where you want to be is an easy place to start. Set the goals. Goals are just dreams unless you set deadlines or timelines to achieve them. Then begin working backward from the goal to now to create a plan to achieve each goal. If dedicating the time to build the plan to achieve the goal seems like too much for you, you’re not serious about achieving it. 

Be Present. It’s great to drive toward the future you want, but don’t miss the present. Balance your life in a way where you can be fully in the now. At home in every conversation or interaction with your spouse and children. At work in every meeting or engagement with customers and clients. Be present. 

Time. If we use it wisely it’s also our greatest resource and asset. If God woke you up today, you get the same 1440 minutes as everyone else on earth. What you do with your time is 100% on you. 

Action. Have a bias toward action. Don’t sit idle and wish for things to change. Do something about it. The only way to have the life you want is to create it one baby step at a time. 

Follow Through. Motivation is great, but it’s discipline that creates results. Someone told me recently that not following through is a lack of integrity. This hit me hard because I’ve always considered myself to be a person of integrity and tied that to being honest. Truth is the best of intentions are useless if you don’t follow through and do what you say.

Sweat. Find a type of exercise you enjoy and do it as often as possible. Sweating 30 min/day will change your life in 60 days or less, but don’t stop there. 

Fill Your Cup. Take care of yourself. Seek things every day that make you more of who you want to be. Pursue things that fulfill you. You have nothing to offer anyone if your own cup is dry. 

Go Outside.

Watch the Sunrise. 

What the Sunset. 

There is beauty in every day. Don’t see it through someone else’s social media. 

What will you change in 2025?

You’re writing the book of you, fill your pages with positive experiences and memories made. Here’s to a better you and a better me. Great things are coming for Your Impact Story! Happy New Year!

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