Happy Monday folks,
I was going to skip an email this week due to the holidays but decided it would be a terrible way to kick off 2024. Instead, here’s what I’m focusing on in 2024.
Let’s jump in:
Story: my focus for 2024
In my last email I spoke more about my 2023 year in review, but after spending this week doing more planning I figured I should fill you in. Both on what I plan on focusing on in 2024 and also my plans for content.
Each year I usually do a review and revamp based on how the previous year went and this year was no different. Here’s what I’ll be focusing on:
Visto
As most of you know by now, I spend my time building an immigration tech company called Visto. We had a great year in 2023 by launching our new platform and breaking $10k MRR, so for 2024, the big focus is on scaling and adding a lot more new features and AI into the platform.
It’s going to be fun and I’ll be sure to share the ups and downs, as I always do.
Content creation
While I’ve been creating content for years, 2023 was the year I really made a plan and stuck to it - and it paid off. I now have profiles with >10k followers on multiple platforms (LinkedIn, Tiktok and hopefully Youtube soon), and my plan for 2024 is to continue with posting content consistently while also starting to improve the quality too.
2023 was the year of consistency, 2024 will be the year of quality improvement.
Consumption
I have been and continue to be a lifelong learner, but over time, my appetite and strategy for consuming content has shifted.
These days there is just so much content out there that it’s easy to get overwhelmed, and I also feel like I’m in a good spot where I need to “do” more than I need to “learn”.
With that in mind, I’m going to limit my consumption of content to:
books - I have and continue to read 10+ pages before bed every day (of hard copies of books, no audiobooks for me), usually focused on business and personal development. This trend will continue (as it helps me learn and also fall asleep easier)
podcasts - I listen to a very select number of podcasts when I’m working out or on walks. My top 2 in the last 6 months have been Founders (David Senra) and My First Million.
social media - limit to business/educational videos on Youtube while I eat lunch, and leave it at that (ie. avoid Tiktok, Shorts, etc., except for posting my own content)
Health
As I get older I think more about health and longevity. I’m no doctor, but in 2024 I want (and plan) to:
eat a low carb diet and focus more on eating real/whole foods
get a good 8-hour sleep each night
workout 4 times during the week (weight training/yoga) and go for 1 run each weekend
more walking (at night, while on calls, etc.) and stretching (end of day while watching shows with my wife)
That’s most of it on my end - what do you think? Anything I could improve?
What are your goals for 2024? Let me know.
Your holiday gift to me:
Of course, a big focus for 2024 will be growing this Substack. Many of you have been subscribed for a long time and I really appreciate it!
If you’ve enjoyed my weekly emails and have any feedback so I can keep making it better, please hit “reply” and let me know:
your favourite part of my weekly email (so I know what to keep doing)
1 way I can make it better (or more…)
anything else that might help!
Thanks as always for following along on my journey. Have a great week, amazing holiday season and happy new year!!!
- Josh Schachnow
Canadian immigration lawyer, CEO at Visto.ai
If you’re looking for more of my help, you can check out:
My immigration tech platform, Visto, that helps Canadian immigration firms prep and file applications much quicker.
My Youtube where I post the weekly vlog and am also posting shorter snippets of my tips/advice as Youtube Shorts!
Check out the 3 Fundamentals Letter, where 4 Days of the week, Ian sends you a 5 min story that teaches a valuable lesson about business, personal development, or writing, and once a week he sends you 1 educational article teaching you valuable information you can use to build your online business