Wow I cannot believe that I actually followed through on creating a blog and publishing at a semi regular basis. I had a few goals that I wanted to accomplish this year as a professional that I have completed, a few that I’m in the process of trying to complete and a few that didn’t even get started.

Goals Completed

Becoming Employed For An Entire Year

I know this isn’t hard for most people, but ever since I moved to Denver it has been quiet difficult to stay employed as a software engineer. Some of this was due to my strong East Coast attitude that scares the crap out of such lesser people in charge. I’m 6’6″ 245lbs and black so I get that my demeanor scares people at times. Another reason was for due to the size and youth of the companies that I was employed. These companies were still trying to find there way in finding there own identity. I’ve dealt with that personally myself and it seems to be a recurring theme in other areas of my life as well.

The lesson learned through the past two years was simple find companies and co-workers that fit you. In both instances I made myself standoff-ish towards everyone and at the end of the day it cost me employment. As my father says, “he who stands tallest is the one that gets cut first.” I hear you dad and will remember that moving forward.

Starting a Business

So I did apply for my fictitious name in the state of Colorado. This was an easy process and was relatively cheap and easy. Well done.

Goals Still In Progress

Networking More with the Community

I went to a few meetups around the Denver area related to the industry. I also went and met developers for lunch in real life as well. I would say that my effort was ok for that goal, but I know I can do better. I really hadn’t met anyone that I had a real connection with that I already didn’t know this year. I have to take the approach of keep putting myself out there and believing that I will eventually meet the right people. I also have to take the approach that it is a process and to not limit myself to the normal places that I frequent.

Releasing An Application

O man this goal right here is the most important of the year. Why? I really do believe people in this industry pay attention to your Github, Twitter and other social media accounts. Unfortunately, for me I do not have much on Github or Twitter that separates me from the pack of other software developers in the Denver area. I will say that I am very aware of the competition that is out there and I am looking for any edge I can get to get me closer to my goals.

I will say that my effort is commendable, but it’s not consistent enough to produce a finished product. I will admit this is a huge undertaking for one person to do, but I also believed in my drive to get this thing done before the election. Unfortunately, that drive hasn’t been there throughout the entire year. I gotta get better, but at least I can make huge strides this week with my focus being totally on snowboarding and this project.

Goals Not Accomplished

Publishing an Article Once a Month

This is more of failure of planning and not focusing on the task at hand. This is completely unacceptable if I’m going to take this blog seriously. As the sole author of this thing I need to apologize to my audience for not publishing frequently as well as not even placing pictures for each article. This is a half-assed job by me and is the reason why I feel as if this blog was unsuccessful this year. So back to the drawing board as far as topics and actually putting forth a decent effort to completing articles. Complete and utter failure on this goal. Disgusting!!!

Gaining Clients

This goal wasn’t even attempted at all. It wasn’t even half-assed like this years articles I published. This was like going to the club wanting to talk to women and spending all your time at the bar getting drunk. Pathetic on my part to set this goal and do absolutely nothing about it. The worst part of this goal was to get one client. Just one. I couldn’t even do that. Not only that I didn’t make it happen I barely take any steps to put myself in position to make it a possibility. How can one succeed at accomplishing goals without effort? It’s just unacceptable and will be rectified for 2017.

With that said I appreciate all that I’ve learned this year personally and as a professional. Let’s make 2017 the best year yet. I look forward to what I have to share to my readers as well as hopefully hearing, learning and sharing more with you.