by DJ Schofield |
Last Updated:January 4, 2021 Well, it’s safe to say 2020 didn’t exactly go as planned. It was a huge rollercoaster yet the most successful and fun year of my life. I met so many great people, learned a lot, and adapted to many different changes.
2020 was the first year I actually felt prepared for what was coming at me. Sure, it was tough… it was stressful… but I felt prepared and calm when chaos came.
I haven’t written a personal post on this blog in years. For whatever reason, I felt compelled to write this, so here I am… my coffee infused brain is locked in. Maybe this is a good idea. Maybe I’ll write more personal stuff in 2021… maybe not. Maybe I’ll stop writing my every thought.
Why am I writing this? Two reasons… 1) to reflect, learn, and hold myself accountable and 2) I hope someone (even just one person) reads this and relates, thinks, and/or learns something. My hope is to update people on my life but also inspire others to prepare and take action in their own life.
I have broken this into two sections. The first part is personal… skip it if you don’t care. The second part is more practical and probably relatable to most. And of course, I list some great books.
Here we go…
Normal Life
2020 seemed to start fairly normal… it began with trips to Myrtle Beach, Ocala, and Destin. Then I was sitting in a Chattanooga hotel and was told I had to go home immediately… some COVID-19 thing was coming??
I should have known we were in for a ride in 2020… I mean Kobe Bryant’s passing was in the first month of the year. This hit me. It made me reflect on life, rethink if I was fulfilling my purpose, and realize life is short. RIP Kobe.
COVID-19
Sometime in March or April was the first mention of COVID… and the rollercoaster began. I was in Chattanooga and had to leave a day early… little did I know it would be the last time I would travel for a while. We were quickly quarantined… no traveling. This makes the life of a salesman a little difficult.
It was my first, “Oh, S***” moment. My current position with Briggs & Stratton suddenly became sitting at home (mostly) and I began doing what I do best… working harder. Of course, I gave my all to my day job but I also began grinding on my portfolio of websites.
I’ve always had a fear of going broke… it is part of what fuels me to work so hard. Well COVID really sparked this fear. The fear of losing my job in 2020 was real and it sucks… maybe you can relate? If you do, just know SKILLS and hard work are always compensated. Maybe you have 1 of 2 or both but if you have at least one there will always be a job for you. This is a fact. Put yourself out there and you will find a yes.
Bankrupt
Sometime in April, Briggs & Stratton (the company I worked for) released their earnings report. I reviewed every single line of it and knew it was bad… really bad. At that moment, I knew things were about to get really shaky. After review, I knew they were going bankrupt… there was no way around it. I thank the many business books and mentors in my past that made this extremely obvious to me.
What did I do? I hung on for a couple of weeks… doing a lot of thinking. I wanted to ensure I wasn’t missing anything and making a logical assessment. Once I was sure, I made a decision.
I had to leave. Had to. It wasn’t a choice. Always trust your gut feeling. I then began applying… I felt like a new college grad all over again. But this time I had a little experience to go with my confidence. This helped. Confidence is good, results are better.
So I applied to jobs, reached out to people, and did some interviews. After a couple of weeks, I began receiving some responses…
Jobs
Towards the end of June, I resigned from Briggs & Stratton to take a position with Ariens Co. as a territory sales manager in Colorado. I had just over a month to pack everything up and move to Denver. July was definitely a stressful month… I was learning a new job, traveling for training, and preparing for a move.
All is well, right? Cool new job… cool new city! Time to head west… wrong. A couple of days before moving I got a call for the first interview with another company… it seemed interesting so, why not? Two days later, I got an offer I couldn’t refuse so I resigned… again and took a new position as a Product Portfolio Manager with Sandvik. I was officially in the mining industry.
The position was a challenge (and still is.) It is something new… something that takes me way out of my comfort zone… but it is a great opportunity for growth. I wake up to a new challenge and problem to solve every day. It’s fun, it’s rewarding.
Moving
So I didn’t move… until December. I was presented the opportunity to move in with my new friends, Paul and Nate. Shoutout NPD! It was a way to save money but also a good opportunity to grow in a community with two awesome dudes.
These guys challenge me, inspire me, and make life more fun. I feel like I will look back on this one day and say this is a decision that changed my life.
I have realized, living alone is not worth it. Not in 2020… not any year. Accountability and community are a must and it’s too easy to avoid when living alone.
Friends and Fun
From the lake (Lakè) to CrossFit to weddings and other awesome events. Perth’s limo hire played a significant role in making some of these events truly memorable. 2020 was a year full of meeting incredible people. On a macro level, I’ve never been more inspired, encouraged, and motivated. The people I’ve met have changed me… every single one of them is doing incredible things and it’s so awesome to see. If you’re in Birmingham, you might want to explore local options for private chauffeur services found at https://privatechauffeurservices.co.uk/near-me/birmingham/.
I want to thank each one of you… you know who you are. Without you, I don’t even want to know how 2020 would have turned out.
Crossfit
2020 was a pretty consistent year of CrossFit. I didn’t make crazy gains or crazy PRs but I was consistent. At this point in my life, I do fitness for enjoyment and health. I want to live a long time and be in great physical shape to enjoy more activities in life.
I did 3 CrossFit competitions in 2020. 1st place with Paul and Chow… shoutout team thiccccc thighs!!! The other two comps… well, let’s just say the assault bike still hates me and I still hate it.
Crossfit also brought several new friends into my life! Shoutout to all of my friends at Venture.
Dating
LOL, still haven’t quite figured this one out. It was a year of casual dating but nothing sticking. It was a year of putting myself and work first (surprise, surprise.) However, I do feel like I reached outside of my comfort zone a bit more.
Deep down I’m an extroverted introvert. I’m shy. I get nervous. I’m skeptical. These don’t exactly help, but it’s me… improvement and growth are my only option. I have confidence I will find someone cool, that understands me, and I understand them. It will happen… maybe 2021? Maybe I’m jinxing it? who knows!
All I know is being content and happy where you currently are is incredibly freeing and important. It is a must. If you think you’ll be happy once you find that special someone, you’re wrong. True, authentic happiness comes from within. It is a choice. I still strive every day for this. It’s not perfect, but I am much happier and content than I was a year ago… I’ll take it as a win.
Books
It may have been a bit of a layup this year given the circumstances, but I completed another year of 52 books. This is the 5th consecutive year of reading at least 52 books. Some were reread this year, but that was the plan. My goal was gaining depth in topics and I feel I achieved that.
I have officially surpassed over 250 books in life… I hope every English teacher I’ve ever had is proud. I hope it inspires every teacher to not give up on annoying teenagers that think they know it all and think being “cool” is superior to being smart.
My hope is that you will find inspiration in this and make reading a daily habit… heck, start with one page a day. By the end of the year, you will have read more than 25% of people.
Below are some of the top books I read in 2020… they are in no particular order.
Top Books of 2020
This is a very interesting book. Jesse Itzler spends 30 days “living with a seal.” It is about his journey are learning and applying discipline. I highly recommend this quick read.
2. Closer together, further apart
This book is about how social media and the internet has brought us so close together yet so far apart. Overall, it is a decent read.
A great business book about the rise of Amazon. It is an incredible look about how Jeff Bezos thinks. It is so good, I literally couldn’t put it down.
This is a super quick read and the book that got me off my ass and made me start applying to jobs. If you are unsure about your job, thinking of switching jobs, or looking for a job just read it.
5. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
Yikes, there’s a running joke among my friends about this book that I absolutely hated this book. I actually really liked many parts. It was definitely convicting and made me think about my daily actions. I highly recommend.
Man this book is good. One of my favorites of the year. There are so many good nuggets in this book I don’t even know which to put. It appears dense but actually isn’t that long of a read.
This was a good one. Even though a lot of it was a bit of a refresher for me it had great points. If you’re new to finances or want to get your money right, this is a must read.
Yikes, if you’ve read this book you know why I’m saying this. I will say, I think it is a very good, dense book. However, you must keep in mind that the book is about power, not morals or ethics. I had a lot of WTF moments while reading this book but it is truth and rooted in tons of research.
Great, quick read. I love Chip Gaines. Don’t think I need to say much more.
Incredible book about the rise of Starbucks. Howard Schultz is a smart guy and the way he thinks about business and grew Starbucks was really cool to see.
Crossfit nerds will eat this book up. It is a quick read with a pretty basic principle. Khalipa does have an amazing story though so it’s worth the read.
My dudes, go read this. Maybe you won’t agree with some of Mark Manson’s views (I mean he did write “The Subtle Art of not Giving a F***… also a GREAT book) but I’m telling you it will change you. It is a powerful book about dating that will hit you with a reality check.
I’d say this is the PG version of models (the book above). It is pretty good but also kind of basic.
My philosophy nerds… go read this book! It is super fascinating if you like people from the stoic age or just stoicism in general. It is dense and can be boring at times but definitely worth the read.
Pretty good book. It has some good takeaways. It isn’t the first book I’d tell you to read but if you need a decent read I’d recommend.
16. The Way of the Superior Man
This one is great. It’s a classic. It was my second time reading it. If you are a male you must read this book.
This was my only fiction read of the year. I anticipated reading more fiction this year but it didn’t happen. This story is quick and pretty good. It was a fun book to read since it is about a struggling boy starting a lawn care company.
2020 Struggles
This year definitely came with a lot of struggles. It was a year full of challenges, decisions, and emotions I haven’t felt much in the past. Below are some of those struggles.
- Too much Isolation sucks
Isolation is kind of a downward spiral. It seems like the more isolated you are the more isolated you become. I experienced this several times during 2020 and it was something new to me. I think my experience in Iowa prepared me for this. Getting out, meeting people, and doing stuff is vital. I don’t care if you stay 6 feet or whatever… community is important. We are social creatures and isolation is horrible for our mental health… there’s a reason people are locked in solitary confinement when being interrogated.
2. Imposter syndrome can be real.
I had never felt this in my life. I always did things I felt I was pretty good at. My new job made me feel this. New role, new company, new industry. All of that together can make you feel like an imposter at times. If you feel this too you must look at yourself as a student. We are all students, always. No one knows everything and every single person on this planet can improve in some area of life.
3. Depression is real.
Depression came and went this year. There were some days I was just completely drained and couldn’t get out of bed. Fear can be crippling. I highly recommend talking to others and being vulnerable. Especially for men, it can make them feel weak if they ask for help or say they’re depression. Swallow your ego. Make therapy and counseling hip in 2021… especially for guys.
4. Anxiety is real.
If you didn’t have anxiety in 2020 you’re lying. Honestly anxiety can be good and it can be crippling. I have seen both and felt both. Anxiety is usually fear. However, if channeled the right way can be good. I struggled with this more in 2020 than ever before. Anxiety seems to increase when things are out of our control. Making an intentional decision to not worry about things out of my control was the most important part of the journey.
Note: for the above 2 I know these are deep topics and I don’t mean to oversimplified. I am referring to them only highlight how they affected me in 2020. I realize there are a ton more factors and situations.
5. Politics and division.
Honestly, this only made me sad. To see such an incredible nation so divided hurt. The lack of empathy, listening, and understanding was disheartening. I could write an entire post on this and I just might… but I think social media really backfired on us and put a spotlight on ignorance. I have a very scientific way of viewing and interpreting things. I feel like science was defied in 2020… by the scientists and by the common people.
There are many other parts to this that happened this year. So much of this is just learning to listen and understand. It is also understanding that is is ok to have different opinions (covered below.)
6. Health is important.
If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that health is important. When 67% (or something like that) of the US is overweight it becomes a huge wake up call when something like COVID comes around. Isn’t it interesting that when emergencies strike we drop EVERYTHING and fix the problem? Nothing else matters. But we don’t see it with health. We keep working, scrolling, and going non stop to get that new fancy car. Yet, many people (probably 67%) are taking better care of that fancy car than their own body.
It is insanity. Our health is the only thing we have. I think the saying is “the only thing we have is time.” Well if we don’t have our health, we won’t have much time. **drops mic**
But seriously… health is important.
Things I learned in 2020
- Preparation is key, continuous growth is important, and action is mandatory.
I felt prepared for 2020. It was the first time I faced huge amounts of adversity in my adult life and career. Sure I’ve faced adversity but nothing like 2020. It felt like we were in a boxing ring with Muhammad Ali. This year was a reminder that growth comes from tough situations. Positive growth comes with intentionality and action.
2. Refuse to focus on things out of your control is important.
Just don’t do it. Whether it was politics, policies, COVID, jobs, loss, etc. there were things out of our control. Focusing on them too much was crippling. The ability to realize they are out of our control and not worry about this was key in 2020.
3. Things can change overnight.
Things changed overnight in 2020. The whole world changed… quickly. Darwin said, “It is not the most intellectual of the species that survives, it is not the strongest that survives, but the species that survives is the one that is able best to adapt and adjust to the changing environment in which it finds itself.”
Change is inevitable. Technology showed this. COVID showed this. We must learn to adapt. Continuous growth is more important than ever before. Take a couple of years off and it will be like taking a decade off in 2021.
4. Community is essential.
Quality friends are important. The kind of friends that are there for you no matter what, they’re essential.
5. Differing opinions are what advance society.
How boring would our world be if everyone agreed about everything? Pretty dang boring. The only way our society has ever advanced is from differing opinions. We must understand that different opinions are ok and they don’t make someone a bad person if they don’t have the same opinion as you.
Someone may think the sky is green or the earth is flat (maybe it is… conspiracy?) Instead of saying they’re crazy, ask questions, listen, understand. Maybe there is no way in the world you will ever agree. No one is a bad person… maybe that someone thinks the sky is green but they absolutely LOVE puppies. Agree to disagree and talk about puppies (I’m assuming you like puppies… cause everyone does!) You will have some commonality to some degree with everyone… at the very least you are both humans!
6. Put your phone down, unplug.
It was easy to use my phone too much this year. A lot of alone time and working from home is a recipe for using that little dopamine-producing machine. Unplug and go outside. It is freeing and refreshing.
Next Year
2021, I am hopeful for a more normal and stable life… yet, I am prepared for chaos, change, or whatever else life throws at me. My word for the year is intentionality. I will strive to be intentional in everything I do.
Below are some of the goals/focuses I have for 2021.
- Produce more content than I consume.
- Be intentional in everything I do.
- Be present in every situation.
- Be vulnerable in engagements.
- Listen more. Understand more.
- Read 52 books.
- Be more thoughtful and helpful to friends.
and of course, a bunch of business goals… I won’t bore you! If I’m wrong, leave a comment or DM me if you want to see them.
Happy New Year!
Well, that is all I have. It was a wild year and I’m hopeful that 2021 will be a great year. I look forward to making memories, having discussions, and grow in this journey called life.
What are your goals for 2021? What are your plans? Leave a comment below. I love hearing from y’all.