This year was a breakout year; I published more writing than ever and made some big life decisions (#Engaged!)

But that growth could have been exponentially larger.

These 10 habits held me back in 2022 (and how I'll overcome in 2023):

1. Friends with Everyone.

You can't be friends with everyone.

Having a large network is beneficial; maintaining friendships with everyone in that network is not (it's exhausting, time consuming, and creates surface-level connections).

In 2023, Divide & Prioritize:

• Friends (close connections worth investing in)

• Acquaintances (weaker connections with value that don't need regular attention)

• Everyone else

2. Money (Mis)Management.

As Biggie says, "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems."

Just because you start making more money, doesn't mean you know what to do with it.

In 2023, focus on:

• Essentials (Daily life needs)

• Investments (In yourself, in your work, in your future)

• Savings (The security of a safety net impacts everything–life, work, health)

3. Time Wasted

Like money, spending too much time on people and things with minimal benefit will hold you back and waste gains you've made.

In 2023, focus on:

• Recognizing lost causes (to stop spending time on)

• Identifying opportunities (to allocate more time to)

• Protecting "free" time (to allow the mind time to wander)

4. "Shiny Objects"

It's easy to get distracted; it's hard to ignore "shiny objects."

It's important to learn and explore, but forever changing course hinders growth.

In 2023:

• Create guidelines that allow you to consider new pursuits without over-investing in them

• Use the 80/20 rule: 80% of focus on familiar, 20% on the consideration of new

• Recognize when the shine wears off; things are often shiny because they are new, not valuable.

5. Getting comfortable with "Enough."

Yes, there's a balance between need and greed.

But there's also a hindrance in never seeking more, especially when life throws you curve balls.

In 2023:

• Don't just do "enough" to get by, do "enough" to unlock the ability to build.

• Do "Enough", then do 20% more.

• Prepare for the unexpected (do you have "enough" to weather the storm?)

6. Too much TV.

It's easy to fall into a routine.

At the end of the day, it's easy to hit play on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and every "+" streaming service.

Don't.

In 2023:

• Be intentional (with what you're consuming and for how long)

• Enforce limits (allow yourself to enjoy in small doses)

• Avoid binges (at the very least, break them up with activity)

• Replace with reading, conversations, and life outside the living room

7. Too much, all at once (aka "Saying Yes to Everything").

I have a hard time saying no.

I'll rearrange my calendar, procrastinate a project, or overcommit before I turn down an "opportunity of a lifetime".

Often, opportunities are not as golden as expected (See #4), and it's better to stay in your lane.

In 2023:

• Stick to your priorities. These are your commitments to yourself.

• If/As priorities change, make small adjustments (don't pivot and start running).

• Evaluate everything in the context of Zero Sum (What is this taking away from and how does that affect my path/progress)

8. External Comparison.

You are not the people you see, and you may never be (or want to be).

"You are the sum of the people you surround yourself with," but they don't have to serve as a baseline of comparison for everything you do.

In 2023:

• Ask, don't envy: If someone in your life is doing well, learn how and why.

• If you must compare, do so with brutal honesty about your willingness to follow their path (Are you willing to make the same sacrifices/investment?)

• Heed Hemingway: "There is nothing noble in being superior to some other man. The true nobility is in being superior to your previous self."

9. Imposter syndrome.

Second-guessing is something we all fall victim to.

In 2022, I learned how to beat this tendency with specificity.

In 2023:

• Recognize what you are an expert in (and what you're not); learn from the experts.

• Use specificity whenever possible (speak to exactly what you know); The more specific you are to your experiences, the less of an imposter you'll be.

• Remember, 2-year-ago you thinks the current you is an "Expert" in something; you don't have to be an expert to know what you know.

10. You can't pay your bills with the opinions of others.

Ok, the opinions of your clients/employers matter.

But in almost every other case, over-investing in what other people think is a recipe for procrastination and self-doubt (which compounds #9).

In 2023:

• Remember, most people don't think about you as often as you think they do.

• Avoid over-investing in your feelings & perceptions of others.

• Pay attention to advice, opinions, and perceptions of those that are where you want to be/have achieved what you want to achieve.

What habits held you back in 2022 that won't in 2023?