Year in Review: Building Success and Exploring What's Next
How a single word shaped my 2024 and why 2025 is all about curiosity, growth, and adventure
A few years ago, I was inspired by a fellow Medium writer, YL Wolfe, to adopt the tradition of choosing a “Word of the Year.” Her idea was to use this word as a blueprint for how she envisioned her year—sometimes adventurous, sometimes simple, but always intentional. I decided to follow suit and have been choosing a word for the past two years.
In 2024, my word was “Build.” This year, I’ve chosen “Explore.” But before diving into what it means for me in 2025, I want to reflect on how well I embodied “Build” last year.
Reflecting on 2024: The Year of Build
The word “Build” shaped my goals in multiple areas: relationships, my mind, my body, my finances, my expertise, and my projects. Let’s break down how I did.
Building Relationships
This was, without a doubt, a highlight of the year. My partner and I strengthened our bond through shared experiences and adventures. We traveled to the Southwest, attended the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, visited friends, soaked in hot springs, and enjoyed incredible food. These moments reminded me of the importance of nurturing relationships and creating memories. I give myself an A+ in this area.
Building My Mind
I made strides in personal development, particularly in learning technical skills. I dove deeper into Golang and improved my Python scripting, often using tools like ChatGPT for guidance. However, I fell short in another critical area—reading.
I had high hopes to devour books but only managed to finish a few. One standout was Notes from Underground, which I reread decades after my first encounter. Seeing it through the lens of my 52-year-old self was fascinating, but I wish I had made more time for literary exploration.
Another memorable read was Postmortem by Aaron Cometbus, a nostalgic dive into the evolution of punk rock during my youth. Overall, I’d grade myself a C+ in building my mind.
Building My Body
This was my biggest struggle. While I initiated a temporary alcohol detox that felt refreshing, I failed to sustain other fitness goals. I intended to integrate kettlebell workouts and establish a consistent exercise routine, but distractions got the better of me. This year, I’m determined to make a meaningful change. Last year’s mantra, “This time will be different,” didn’t hold. This time, it must be. I give myself a D+ in this area.
Building My Finances
In this area, I excelled. I focused on cutting costs and creating multiple streams of income last year. Trading options became a significant financial backstop when I faced a layoff from H2O in November. Additionally, I consolidated expenses, generated income through writing on Medium, and took on side engineering projects.
The layoff was a turning point—it reinforced my belief that relying on a single income source is too risky. I’ve since diversified my revenue streams and let go of the emotional weight tied to my former employer. I even donated all my H2O-related items to Goodwill, closing that chapter for good. I give myself an A+ for building my bottom line and financial resilience.
Building My Expertise
I rebranded my blog, migrating it from Ghost to Substack under the name From the Desk of Thomas Ott. My Medium publication Weathered also saw remarkable growth, particularly in the last two months of the year, driven by engaged readers and timely content. It was fulfilling to see my efforts in content creation pay off. I give myself an A+ here.
Looking Ahead: 2025 and the Year of Explore
For 2025, my word is “Explore.” After a year of building, I’m ready to embrace adventure, curiosity, and new opportunities. Here’s how I plan to bring this word to life:
Exploring Career Opportunities
This year, I want to step outside my comfort zone professionally. I’m considering a shift from Series B/C/D startups to a larger organization, where I can challenge myself in new ways and grow within a different structure. If that doesn’t work out then I’ll explore building my Engineering consultancy and continue to trade options.
Exploring New Ways to Stay Active
Fitness will take a front seat this year but with a focus on fun. I’ve recently discovered a love for Pickleball and aim to improve my skills. My weight is holding me back from being faster and more agile on the court so I’ll work on that as I continue playing. Additionally, I want to return to hiking and exploring abandoned places, combining this passion with my love for photography.
Exploring Creativity and Travel
Photography will be a medium for adventure as I seek out new locations and subjects. Whether it’s capturing the beauty of nature or urban decay, I want to rediscover the joy of exploration. Travel is also on the horizon—I’m excited to plan trips to new destinations, immersing myself in fresh experiences.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a word of the year has been transformative for me because it gives my actions a purpose and serves as a compass for my aspirations. “Explore” is a reminder to embrace curiosity, push boundaries, and find joy in discovery. I’m ready to see where this journey takes me in 2025.
Thank You!
Thank you to all my readers and paid supporters! I’ve opened up the Subscriber Chat section for you all!
I'm always honored that I influenced your word of the year tradition. And I loved your word for last year and the one you've chosen for this year. It's going to be a great year for exploring!