Chris Ming, Author at Christopher Ming Blog

Update: 2024 Goals Q2

If you set goals, keep yourself accountable.

Here is the recap of my Q2 2024:

In my 2024 planning post, I said this year’s theme was:

Better is better. More is better.

And…

I’m focused on iterating on my offer, building an audience and leads, and monetization… family first and deepening relationships… buying a car and 25/25/50 savings, investing, and spending rate… go to Ireland for the summer.

In my Q1 recap, I said my objectives and priorities for Q2 were:

Be a good dad and get ready for baby 3 (Theodore)

Finish the February Land A Remote Job coaching cohort strong

Migrate all my remote work and Land A Remote Job content to a new site and start SEO work

Ship Persefoni’s new freemium product, Persefoni Pro

Build consistency around my training (weight lifting and BJJ)

Plan one side trip while in Ireland

parenting

Strong To Be Kind (Oliver’s 6th Birthday Letter)

“Do you know why you train BJJ?” I asked.

You shook your head.

“It’s like training your Pokemon. The more they train, the more experience and skills they develop. People are the same. We need to train to build our real-life skills. And BJJ is an important real-life skill to have.” I paused.

“Does that make sense?”

“No,” you said. “None of that made sense.”

parenting

There Is No Nurture (Theodore’s Birth Letter)

I waited until I knew you better to start this letter.

You look like your sister: heart-shaped face and a cry that could pierce leather. But will you be more like your brother? Or an alchemy of the two?

personal development

2024 Goals And 2023 Recap

Intro

This is a review of my 2023 and a public sharing of 2024 goals.

Why document it? Two reasons

First, the Bill Gates quote sums it up:

“Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.”

We’re capable of great things. They just take time.

Second, doing this each year is joyful. The act of reminiscing fills my cup.

Chris Bailey wrote

“To gain greater enjoyment from your experiences, try practicing anticipation and reminiscence. Both are forms of savoring—ways to convert positive experiences into positive emotions.

“We can also savor an experience after it happens—a savoring style called reminiscence. We reminisce by reliving an experience in our mind, looking back through photos of an experience, or talking about it with a friend or a loved one.

parenting

Iron For This World (Annabel’s 3rd Birthday Letter)

Back in Dublin, we took you to see the doctor.

“Annabel has a serious double-ear infection,” she said.

“She hasn’t been bothered by her ears.”

“Well. She’s just really tough then.”

Doc, you have no idea.

It’s not that you’re not sweet, AB. You are. On your brother’s birthday, we worried you’d feel left out when he got gifts and you didn’t.

We needn’t had worried.

parenting

Talking Dog (Deefer’s 9th Birthday Letter)

“Why do you pretend to talk like Deefer?” Oliver asked.

Turns out ventriloquating (a technical term) for your dog is very common. Linguist Deborah Tannen calls it “talking dog.”

We think of it as translating the thoughts you’re having, Deef. Adding color to the commentary we see running in that head of yours:

parenting

The Mayor of Clancy Quay (Oliver’s 5th Birthday Letter)

In July 2022, we visited Bray. You come out of the DART station, follow the little alleys with a Chinese, a coffee shop, a casino. Suddenly, the alley opens up, and you’re there on the Strand. Three big planters and wooden benches sit in front of Bray’s aquarium. Finbees coffee house tucked in next to it, separating you from the ocean.

It has a Manhattan Beach vibe (we’ll go there someday), but replace the volleyball nets with little huts selling 99’s with all the toppings.

reflections

Love Hard

Part I

Once, we were out at lunch and Uncle Paul was sitting down. A couple walked in and they stood at the host’s stand, waiting to be seated. I watched him get up, shuffle over to them, grab menus, and show them to an open table.