5 Things That Moved The Needle In 2023 🪡

And two new podcast episodes!

Dec 24, 2023

Hey friend, I hope your year is closing on a high note and that you are excited for next year. 2024, lets do this (says everyone haha)

2023 was an incredible year for me though. And I want to share 5 things that moved the needle for me:

1. Podcast Mixers

If you have been following along or listening to the show for a little bit, this is probably obvious haha. These 2 hour intentional gatherings centered around connection and learning have been such a gift.

My first Podcast Mixer was in the summer of 2022. And in 2023, I have produced 27 of them so far. The 28th one is this Thursday 12/28 in Brooklyn. Want to come? Reply back “interested” and I will send you more info about the free event. I have a few spots open.

Why this moved the needle for me: it combined at least two interests of mine: 1) wanting to host events and 2) podcasting weekly. I think 1 + 1 has been greater than 3 here, which is wild!

This has led to many new friendships, deeper relationships, and a much more vibrant social life. So freaking grateful! AND… it has given me much more confidence about keeping the show going and more!

Takeaway: cool things can happen when you combine and integrate things. What could you combine???

2. Coworking with Friends

Working remotely has its downsides, like sometimes a lack of connection. I stumbled into a special coworking group with 3 other friends in 2023. It happened organically and has really been amazing.

We try to meet the same day every week. We have a group chat. We kind of do similar work too. We do work sprints together too as well.

Why this moved the needle for me: I got work done, have fun doing it, and developed closer friendships from it. And we have supported each other in unexpected ways too!

Takeaway: finding rituals and routines beyond your job is hard and rare, but can be so worth it!

3. IRL Summits

What is an IRL Summit? At the Chief of Staff Network, we have produced 6 mini-conferences that are kind of like an unconference in 2023. 4 times in NYC and once in London and Chicago.

Why the event format works: it’s rare and therefore valuable for a curated, like-minded group of people to get together for 6 hours. Chiefs of Staff often feel isolated at work, so bringing them together in this format has been really impactful.

Why they moved the needle for me: These have led to growth for me personally and professionally. I have become a more confident facilitator and more. And I was able to travel to cool places too. They have been something that I am regularly looking forward to as well, which is why I love events.

Looking to host an unconference? I wrote about them here too!

ALSO… attending two similar type of events in 2023 was really impactful too. I hope to help produce and attend more of these events in 2024. Our next CoS Summit is in San Francisco on Feb 1st!

Takeaway: most of the time, I was a critical piece for these events which forced me to level-up. We can do great work when it’s on us to make something happen!

4. Intentional Gatherings

It felt like 2023 was the year of consistent, intentional gatherings in NYC. StoryTell, Ross and Lauren’s creativity and poetry events, Third Nature, Reading Rhythms, 57, and my Podcast Mixers all really helped build friendships and more in 2023!

Why this moved the needle for me: I would meet people at these events, and then maybe invite them to my events, etc. Many people would attend these different event series, creating an overlapping ecosystem of friendships too.

Takeaway: going to one event can open up a new world. The more you show up at a consistent event series, the better too.

5. Being Consistent

Speaking of consistency, I have really tried to be consistent in the important areas of my life in 2023. A new podcast episode every week. These newsletter every two weeks. Regular Podcast Mixers. Being present in NYC for most of this year too!

Heck, me being consistent with this newsletter may be one reason why you are reading this… how special is that???

How this moved the needle: being consistent has led to compounding growth in many areas of my life.

(below is a quick video on these 5 things if you prefer watching a video)

How about you? What moved the needle for you? Reply back and let me know! 👋

🎧 Portfolio Career Podcast Episodes

#299: Four Thousand Weeks Book Chat with Lani Assaf

My friend Lani and I chatted about Oliver Burkeman’s popular book, Four Thousand Weeks. You will learn about redefining your relationship with time, time management, productivity, death, your to-do lists and so much more.

“We’ve been sold this dream of time management and of productivity.
And it’s just that, it’s just not real. It’s just sort of a flawed relationship with time as a resource.” - Lani

#298: Finding Your People Through Personal Projects

This was a special Podcast Mixer cohosted with Jacey Adler. You will learn about starting personal projects, how they change you and how they can help you find your people and much more!