OKDork - 9 Lessons from 2024 + My Goals for 2025

View in browser →

Hola amigo,

It’s December, and as the year wraps up, I’ve been doing some thinking. You know, the good ol’ "let’s reflect on everything" end-of-year vibe.

Today I wanted to share 9 of my biggest learnings from 2024 (and my goals for 2025):

1- Stop playing the blame game

There’s this growing sentiment of the haves vs. have-nots. People pointing fingers at the rich, powerful, or lucky, saying, “It’s not fair.”

And you know what? Life isn’t fair. Your boss might suck. Your city might be overpriced. Someone else might’ve been born into money.

But blaming doesn’t solve anything. As my buddy Adam Gilbert says: Blame = Be Lame.

The truth is, no one’s coming to save you. Take back your power.

2- AI Is coming for your job (embrace it)

If your job involves repetitive tasks on a computer, AI is coming for you. Customer service, admin work, even parts of sales—it’s all getting automated.

But here’s the opportunity: AI doesn’t have to be your enemy. It can be your ally. Learn the tools, master the tech, and use it to work smarter, not harder.

And if you’re in a field that’s super replaceable? Pivot. Do something AI can’t touch (yet), like plumbing, landscaping, or fixing crawl spaces.

3- Who you know WELL > what you know

There’s this story about Elon Musk texting Larry Ellison for $1 billion. Larry replied, “How about $2B?” Just like that, Twitter got bought.

You might not have billionaire friends, but strong relationships matter more than anything. This year, I leaned into friendships with people who inspire me (shoutout Nick Gray, Neville Medhora, Dan Andrews).

They challenge me, encourage me, and make me better. Relationships like that? Priceless.

4- Focus is your superpower

Ever sit down to do one thing and suddenly find yourself scrolling Instagram, answering emails, and watching a video about how Stephen Curry hit a deep no-look three-pointer?

Yeah, me too.

In 2024, I felt like my brain had too many tabs open. Everything was pulling for my attention, and I got distracted more than I’d like to admit.

Focus is the most important skill today. The more you can shut out the noise and get clear on what you want, the more you can actually do.

I get it—talking about focus feels cliché. But it’s cliché for a reason. The clearer you are about what you want in life, the more you can live on your terms, not the algorithm’s.

5- Life moves in seasons

This year, life moved at a different pace. I got married, stopped doing content, and have been obsessed with fantasy football (LOL).

I used to think if I wasn’t doing everything in my power to get ahead, I was failing.

But here’s what I’ve learned: Life isn’t static. It moves in seasons.

In my 20s, my season was hustle. Build businesses, grow my career, say yes to everything.

Now? My season is different. Could I be publishing more content and promoting Million Dollar Weekend more? Sure. But I’m more focused on spending time with my family and being a dad.

It’s okay to be unbalanced (and then be balanced). Embrace the season you’re in.

6- Celebrate your wins

Here’s what most of us do:

1. Hit a goal.
2. Immediately move on to the next goal.

Sound familiar? We get so focused on what’s next that we rarely stop to appreciate what we’ve accomplished.

Acknowledging your wins isn’t just about feeling good. It’s about reinforcing the mindset and behaviors that got you there. When you reflect, you get a chance to appreciate the progress you’ve made (and it fuels your motivation to keep going).

Your celebration doesn’t have to be extravagant. It could be as simple as sharing the win with a friend, treating yourself to a favorite meal, or taking a quiet moment to reflect on how far you’ve come.

We recently took the entire AppSumo team to Mexico to celebrate the year. Cool!!

7- Your partner = your life's biggest decision

The single most important decision you’ll ever make is who you choose as your partner. Period.

This year, my wife reminded me why she’s my biggest win. She encourages me, supports me, and somehow tolerates my fantasy football obsession.

The right partner doesn’t just make life easier; they make life better.

If you haven’t found that person yet, don’t rush into a relationship just to fill a void. Choosing the wrong partner can hold you back, but the right one will amplify everything good in your life.

Your person is out there. Trust the process and, in the meantime, focus on becoming the best version of yourself that you would want to date.

8- The biggest risk is not taking risks

A few weeks ago, I met a guy at a dinner party. He’s 35, stuck in a job he hates, and talking about how he’ll “someday” start a business.

Honestly, I’m scared for him. If he doesn’t start a business now, he’ll be stuck doing what he’s currently doing when he’s 50.

Staying where you are feels safe. It’s familiar, comfortable, and predictable. But “someday” isn’t real. It’s a convenient excuse to avoid discomfort and uncertainty.

The truth? The greatest risk isn’t failing; it’s living a life in a way that you don’t want to live.

9- Sign up for something epic in 2025

A few years ago, I walked 50,000 steps in one day on a YouTube livestream.

Painful? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. Next year, I’m biking across Portugal with my buddy Anton. Big, scary goals make life more exciting. Sign up for a race. Take a crazy trip. Learn something new.

When you’re old and on your deathbed, you won’t regret taking more adventures.

My 2025 Goals:

That’s the plan. Let’s make 2025 epic.

Rooting for you,

Noah 🌮

Ps. What’s your one big goal for next year? Hit reply and let me know. I’d love to hear.

Sumo Group Inc. 1305 East 6th Street Suite #3 Austin, TX 78702 USA Unsubscribe