Since I only updated my website less than a month prior to this, this is the very first year in advance that I’ve written. I’m not exactly sure what I want to get out of these forward-looking journal entries other than what I already do when I journal about the year past* and plan for the year coming. I’ve been doing that for decades now, so I’m probably going to apply much of that same approach to these reflections. Welcome to my brain.

*In fact, while I wrote this on February 23, 2021, it’s sourced from my writings on December 24, 2020. Thanks Evernote!

As I think ahead about 2021, it’s hard not to consider the difficulty of 2020. Of course, there were a lot of highs in 2020—more time with family, 15 years of marriage, therapy, remote work, an amazing year in business, a fantastic end to the year, and some great trips along the way.

But there were several lows, too. Big disconnects with those I love, quarantining, having to fire people who didn’t pan out, disrupted routine, too much context shifting, not enough places to just “show up” and be, less time with friends, and other challenges like that were more common than in years previous.

Generally speaking, I left 2020 feeling:

• More in touch with Jesus, Nicole, our church, my emotions, and my team

• Relieved it’s over because of injustice, Trump, the church’s response to the country’s unrest, relational conflict, and COVID

• Ready for new routine and growth because quarantine life is unsustainable, user and revenue growth is necessary, more working out is essential, less working is desired, and I’m always learning

Given all that, what do I think—and hope—2021 shall hold?

As I prayed for 2021, the word I heard entering the year was “power.” That may sound nice on the surface, but frankly, this word makes me rather nervous. As soon as I heard it, I could only think of 2 Corinthians 12:9:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Honestly, I’m not eager to boast in my weakness. Of course, Jesus has worked long enough in me to help me recognize my constant need for Him. Still, that idea doesn’t get me excited if that’s going to be the theme of 2021. Like, honestly.

Then again, maybe the Lord will work out that word to look more like the prayer of Paul for the church in Ephesians 3:16-17 and 20-21:

…that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith ... Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

I sure do hope it looks more like that kind of power than the type of power that’s made perfect in weakness. But at the end of the day (and year), it’s all from the same Source. Heading into 2021, I confidently know that the power I experience will not be the power I conjure up on my own. I won’t. I can’t.

And so, while I hope that this year is full of crushed goals, new routines, more connection with others, greater prayer, better health, freer time, and all that other good stuff, I am entering this year trusting that my faithful Friend, the unchanging God of the universe, has my very best in mind. He always does.

Regardless of what the year does bring, I am confident of that.

Lord Jesus, I need Your power in 2021 as much as any year before. Strengthen me, guide me, and have Your way. Amen.

2021 was better than 2020—but that’s not saying much. There were some moments of intense joy and gratitude. But 2020 shook me (and most people I know) enough that its reverberations were still felt well into this year.

Specifically, I must admit that my routines remained horrible in 2021. Health-wise, I know I haven’t made the best choices, primarily due to a remote work schedule in which I’ve abandoned the habits that are best for me. That goes for all areas—physically, spiritually, mentally, and more.

There was a lot of challenge in my work this year, too. In fact, 2021 shaped up to be a very different 12 months for me than I anticipated heading into it. I haven’t handled it as well as I know I could have, though I’m aware of it and truly praying through how I can help change that in 2022, asking for God’s wisdom, strength, and direction in the process. In other words, I need help, as my failures remain ever present.

But the year also held a great amount of joy and gratitude. The time I spent with my family this year felt so special—every trip, every weekend, every errand. I can’t say why, exactly. But I definitely know that time has seemed to speed up over the last year, and Nicole and I are recognizing how precious little time remaining we actually have with our kids now that Riley is in high school and Tolan is soon to enter it. That’s one of the key reasons—if not the #1 reason—we’ve decided to sell our house and spend future summers living elsewhere with them. We won’t get this time back, and we want to make the absolute most of it.

On that note, a lot of people have asked what our official “plan” is regarding moving. Many have even misinterpreted our message, believing that we’ll be leaving Arizona altogether. But that’s simply not the case. We’re still a bit fuzzy on all the details, but the plan as it stands today is for us to spend 9 months out of the year in Phoenix, where our family and community is strong, but spend the other 3 months—usually summer—in other countries. You’re bound to hear more about it from us in the months and year ahead. I can’t wait.

In reflection, I can also say that my 2021 theme of “doing less better” (which is one interpretation I extracted from the word “power”) came into effect this year, too. I ended the year with nearly all of my attention on Journeyage, especially once we stopped focusing on Mindup. I’m grateful for the additional time and headspace that has afforded me, and frankly, it was overdue.

To some, it may seem crazy that 8 projects feels like “doing less better” to me, especially since I actually worked on more projects in 2021 than I did in all of 2020. But nearly all of these projects are night and weekend sort of things, not daily efforts, so it’s doable for me. The 9-5 focus remains on my ventures, which undoubtedly require more effort than these other side “projects.”

My greatest learnings coming out of the year that I can apply heading into 2022 were threefold:

• Choices come first. I want to make choices that help move me forward in the life I’m called to rather than making a life out of the choices I’ve already made. It may seem like semantics, but it’s not.

• Partner on purpose. I need deeper partnerships in the pursuit of my purpose and the many projects that help me live out that purpose. I’ll be looking for more support in certain areas next year.

• Study more. If I’m not studying something deeply (typically spiritual in nature), I’m less effective in my life, relationships, ministry, etc. I need to exercise my mind in deeper, more specific ways this coming year.

In the end, I’ve certainly experienced better years than this one, but I can’t help but view it all through the lens that some things just keep getting better and better. My relationship with Nicole is amazing and I’m more in love than ever, enjoying the increased freedom that comes with having older kids. I love being a dad more than I have in the past, too, even when it’s difficult. All I’ve learned over the years being applied to the things I work on day in and day out is a gift, as well, and I remain incredibly thankful for the opportunity to pursue my passions.

Finally—and most of all—there’s Jesus. He doesn’t “keep getting better,” of course, because He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. But my awareness of and gratitude for Him certainly increases, year after year. I can’t do anything without Him, and that hasn’t changed in 2021, just as it won’t in the future. It’s His power that makes it all possible, and I know He has been at work, even when things don’t turn out exactly as I hope, plan, or expect.

Thanks for everything, 2021. I’m grateful, and we definitely shared some good times together. But I won’t miss you.

Onward.