Declare your intentions and deliver for the New Year instead of making slippery resolutions.

        Usually, I avoid New Year's resolutions to preserve my dignity. Instead, at the end of a year, I declare what kind of year it has been based on my activities. But, at the start of this year, I declare 2024 will be my year of pure uduforu creativity.

        The uduforu blog is essay-style, and I want it to show, not tell. I include my personal experience on the day's topic and write in a conversational style. Too many blogs are full of intention but lack substance. I do not want to teach at the University of Memes and Listicles or show you how to make money by showing people how to make money. I want my blog to preserve our sanity and emphasize personal responsibility, learning, and organizational skills concerning business, hobbies, and recreation.

        The learning curve for what uduforu requires has been steep and has grown over several years. Each aspect requires individual focus, from starting a business to handling business-related taxes, acquiring tech and user proficiency, planning, organization, time management, and creative tasks. Switching between aspects gets easier, but the creative tasks require a singular distraction-free mindset. Unfortunately, the goal is to make money from the fruits of my creative tasks. Until that money rolls in, I also work a job to pay the bills.

Here is a summary of how uduforu got here:

• 2018 – I had a crazy idea to write about my hip replacement experience.
• 2019 – I formed uduforu, LLC, published my first book, and started a YouTube channel.
• 2020 – Was a year of learning punctuated by not knowing what day it was.
• 2021 – I entered short stories in writing contests and started a blog.
• 2022 – I completed my vision for the website and launched uduforu Designs.
• 2023 – A year of AI distraction. It seemed like all of my effort was going to be devalued.

        I am proficient enough with the technical stuff and can now focus on the business's creative needs in 2024. There will always be new gadgets, apps, styles, and techniques to learn, but those needs are not immediate. To stay current, I cycle through the aspects of my business throughout the year. Social media remains the biggest hurdle due to its time and sanity-suck, so I will eventually pay someone to do it.

        Developing the messaging for uduforu has been a challenge. My philosophy works like an emergency oxygen mask on an aircraft – put yours on before helping others. We are all on the same plane, so help everyone you can. Simply put, improve yourself to benefit humanity. We are all a part of humanity, so be helpful, more patient, and less judgmental.

        There is no way to control what life will send, but good or bad, sharing lessons can help others. It is a blessing when life is not sending misery, and unappreciated fortune can be a curse. Expecting rewards is counterproductive. Don’t envy the kid who becomes a neighborhood hero or makes gobs of money with a simple idea. And distractions happen. Even people in the business of helping can become unfocused and lose sight of the good. Recenter on what you are trying to accomplish regardless of what may or may not come.

2024 is the year I entirely focus on writing, drawing, photography, and video.

Happy New Year! I wish you all the best.

Visit uduforu.com for more about Martin E. Dodge and get email updates. The uduforu blog and uduforu vlog post every first of the month. Follow social media for uduforu on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.