2023 reflections and what to expect in 2024
This is my final blog of 2023. I'm about to do something radical... I'll be taking the final 2 weeks of the year off. Having been self-employed since I was just 16 years old I find it very difficult to take vacations. In fact, in the first 3 years that my wife and I dated, I never took a single vacation. Our honeymoon was the first time Lindsey saw me take a proper break. (and I actually took a work call during lunch in the Magic Kingdom, which turned out to be from Navy Entertainment, inviting me to share my magic and message with the troops and their families on military based all over the world. That led to the first of 3 tours over the next 2 years - so, I guess it's good I took that call) But this year is different.
This year was about growth
One year ago I wrote my final blog of 2022 in which I announced that I would be shifting my priorities from my own speaking career to running my consulting firm, Clarity Up. And that's exactly what I did. This year I worked with dozens of speakers, experts, and leaders on a variety of projects, from executive presence to delivering talks at TED-style events, core messaging for professional service companies to keynote speech design for professional speakers. That work has taken me into industries as diverse as marine biology, the law, climate communication, big tech, mental health, gut health, sales, and anti greyhound racing activism. It's been thrilling. This year we also expanded quite a bit. In addition to my core team - Shaque, my executive assistant and Liwy, our creative director - we also brought on Nellie, our video editor, Amy and Mya, providing fractional COO and CFO services, and trained a new certified coach Francisco, with another coach being trained right now, Ioana.
Next year is about ideas
This expansion has allowed me to shift from the day-to-day delivery of our programs into a proper leadership/CEO role. Which means that while I am still taking on a handful of my own private 1-1 consulting clients, in 2024 I will be spend much more time on stages giving keynote speeches, in front of the room delivering workshops, and in the media spreading our message. This year I spoke at 17 events and conferences. And while the events were invigorating, that's a far cry from the 100+ I used to do. Next year, expect that number to go way up. I'm ready to hit the road to spread the message of human connection and clear communication. I am so excited to help organizations, educators, experts, and leaders learn how to talk less, say more, and connect with anyone.
Let's work together in 2024
We're already started booking keynotes, workshops, and private consulting for 2024. So if you've got an audience who needs to hear about How to Magically Connect with Anyone, or you're an individual who needs to clarify your communication to move people to action, let's talk.
I'm heading on vacation for 2 weeks to spend time with my wife and toddler. During that time I will be off of social media (professionally) and not writing or publishing any more articles.
That way when I see you in January I'll be recharged and fully energized for an incredible 2024.
Happy holidays, happy new year, and thank you.
~Brian
