It’s been a while since I did an ‘Ask the Readers’ post, so I thought I’d roll one out today – which we can all potentially use as a source of inspiration for each other, along with a healthy bit of motivation, going into next year, too!
2012 has been a very memorable year for me, both personally and from a business perspective, too. But, with that being said, it hasn’t been without it’s challenges, too.
Today I’m going to share my proudest moment of 2012, and let you all in on my number one goal for next year! And then I want all of you to do exactly the same, in the comment section below – we can then come back to all the comments sometime next year and see if we’ve achieved all the goals, or not.
Sound like fun? Good – let’s do it!
My Proudest Moment of 2012
This last year has been a roller coaster! I’ve traveled extensively; spoken at some great events; had major spine surgery; started a new business (which is officially launching in January!); continued to grow my other companies; worked with some amazing private coaching clients and enjoyed every single minute of it – except the spine surgery obviously!!!
However, without a shadow of a doubt, the proudest moment of the year for me was flipping the switch on my blogging and online focus, and changing from a brand to a ‘personal brand’ – creating this site, re-branding my online image completely in the process and watching this community of ours grow slowly, but surely in the process.
It’s continuing to grow and I thoroughly enjoy communicating with you all, helping you all, inspiring you all, and perhaps every now and then making you laugh a little!
Thank you for making 2012 so unbelievably memorable for me, in regards to everything ChrisDucker.com related!
My Primary Goal for 2013
I’ve got a lot of goals that I want to achieve next year. Actually, a hell of a lot!
However, there is one that has been on the horizon for me for a long, long time that I finally want to grab hold of. And that is to become a published author. I’m currently working with a US-based literary agent who is talking to a number of publishers about a book idea that I’ve had going back as far as late 2010.
If all goes well, I hope to find the perfect publishing partner and get this book published and out there for the world to devour! This isn’t just a goal for 2013 – it’s been a life-long goal. And you guys will all be the first to know what happens on this journey, so please stay tuned.
So, now it’s over to you.
Comment below – I look forward to reading every single one of them!!!
A serial entrepreneur, virtual staffing expert, blogger, podcaster and author, Chris helps other entrepreneurs catapult their businesses into the 21st century utilizing what he calls the 'New Business' style of marketing. 
Chris is a serial entrepreneur, virtual staffing expert, blogger, podcaster and author who helps other entrepreneurs catapult their businesses into the 21st century utilizing what he calls the 'New Business' style of marketing.
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Chris!
Great thread and blog.
My proudest moment in 2012 was probably interviewing Jim Rogers:
http://careerhack.net/jim-rogers-interview/
Also, clinching the Brazil Green Building Council as a client for our mobile apps service at Primer Designs.
-Mike
Congrats on the interview score with Jim, Michael.
That’s awesome!
A great year, and hope to see you experiencing more success in the future.
C
Great sum-up for 2012 Chris! Really looking forward hearing more about the upcoming book project of yours. It’s something I’ve had on my personal bucket list for a good while now as well!
For me, 2012 was not a particularly great year. I can really relate to your back problems buddy.. my back has been making my life difficult since the start of 2012. Intervertebral discs related problems, which really can suck at times.
Having said that, we’ve still made progress with a startup I co-founded last year. Nothing huge yet, but a promising start nevertheless! My 3 big goals for 2013 are as follows:
1. Get my health back(!) in check, so I can focus on the latter 2 ->
2. Launch our startup’s first web based app and get that business rolling
3. Launch another business project, which involves developing mobile apps for iPhone & iPad
Those would be my top 3.
Chris, I wish you and your family a merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Let’s make the 2013 a better one!
Ps: We’re coming to Philippines (Boracay & Palawan) for 2 weeks 02/2013. Can’t wait to visit your beautiful country at last!
Hi Juha
I hear you on the back issues – it’s about staying active and building strength, as you probably know!
Sounds like you’re gonna have a rockin’ 2013. Congrats in advance.
C
PS. Let me know if you venture to Cebu – would be nice to grab a coffee, if I’m in town.
Hey chris , congratulations on all of your achievements !
Hope next year brings more .
I went through a lot of changes this year . Mental changes for the most part . In the beginning I was depressed, felt useless because of the crisis and stuff . I started looking for a job abroad and thank god I failed miserably . But this was the sparkle that lit a fire within me, because I started reading books and broaden my horizons. Then I discovered blogs and podcasts …
I revisited the things I did in the past and realised I had my fair share of success . I no longer wanted to work for anyone else but me . I put a lot of effort in my offline business here , which I have to admit wasn’t paying any attention , and I am trying to diversify my services .
Last couple of months I see my hard work starting to pay off , but the most important is that I found my old very confident self. Next year I will kick some serious butt .
Not to mention that I made the huge step for me to join the DC . This is the wisest move I made this year by far .
Thanks for the mental support. You guys helped me a lot .
Be healthy and smile !
Hi Diamantis
Remember ‘success’ is just a word. The meaning of success changes from one taks, or act, to another and is all relevant from one person to another and the way that we think about things.
I’m super happy that things have started to work for you, and I’m sure the DC will help. It’s a solid group.
Glad to help, in anyway.
C
Hey Chris — good luck with getting a book published next year. That’s a great goal. That’s actually my goal for 2014. My goal for 2013 is to lay the groundwork for the book by growing my blog and doing the interviews for the book. I hope you will be one of those interviews sometime in 2013!
As for my biggest accomplishment of 2012: my biggest non-work accomplishment was taking a two week vacation in August with my family and spending time with my 2-year-old son. It was wonderful spending that big a chunk of time with him. I’m also looking forward to taking off next week and spending that time with him.
As for my biggest work accomplishments in 2012, I’m proud that I completely overhauled my online brand and my blog, launched a podcast, and reached out and started to get to know more entrepreneurs who are active online, like yourself. I also launched my first online course early in 2012 which was very satisfying.
Looking forward to a great year ahead!
Hi John
Taking time off work and seeing it as an accomplishment is a great way to ‘get back to reality’. LOL. But, we do often forget about things like that – I’m happy to hear you’re enjoying that family time. I also love it.
Keep rockin’.
C
PS. I checked your site right now – I saw you’ve made some changes, based off of my suggestions – that’s great. How are they working out for you? Or, still too early to say?
Chris: Yep, I did implement your suggestions. You had some excellent suggestions that solved design issues I had been struggling with for some time. I haven’t made all the tweaks you suggested yet, but I think they are definitely looking good as I’m putting the pieces in place.
I even got a new Facebook timeline graphic off Fiverr — check it out:
https://www.facebook.com/calawreport
Which reminds me: I have not been able to change my Facebook domain. I want to change it from https://www.facebook.com/calawreport to facebook.com/smartbusinessrevolution but each time I try, I’m told that facebook.com/smartbusinessrevolution is “taken.” I had previously registered that page but I deleted it 2 months ago, so Facebook thinks it still exists. I just sent another message to Facebook hoping they can help me with this. So hopefully it will get resolved.
Anyways, thanks again for your great feedback.
Lookin’ good, my man. Love the new FB graphic. And you generally can’t go wrong for $5, right..?!
Glad to hear some of the suggestions sare working well for you.
On the subject of Facebook – I’ve experienced good things with them on this type of stuff before. Just be patient with them – they will eventually come through for you, I believe.
Keep rockin’.
C
Hi Chris,
My Goal for 2013 is to rock the stage at New Media Expo in Vegas! I am working on my speech as I type
Multi-tasking – impressive!
I’m looking forward to seeing you present. I’m also finalizing my presentation this week, too
See you soon.
C
Not a proudest “moment” because it’s been a looooong process – but my biggest accomplishment of 2012 was starting a business and growing it to 3-figure-a-month profitability
2013 goal – triple the business’ size and quit my day job!
Hi Shayna
First of all – CONGRATULATIONS on your so-far success – that’s awesome news.
I look forward to hearing more about the business, and also seeing where you are on everything, this time – next year!
I truly hope 2013 becomes your best year EVER!!!
C
This is a very timely post Chris
For me it’s definitely the launch of my new website vitualmissfriday.com yesterday.
You’ve had a banner year Mr. Ducker, looking forward to following you in 2013!
Thanks Michelle.
Appreciate the support, as always.
C
Congrats on making the switch Chris – I know you poured a lot of time and effort into thinking the whole thing through and I really do like the look and feel of this site.
-
I’m with you on the goal of becoming a published author in 2013… fingers crossed we’ll both be looking back on 2013 sharing the same “Proudest Moment”
Hi Stu
Thanks for the comment and kind words on the site – they mean a lot, coming from someone that kicks major league ass himself!
I also believe I’ll be back at you for tips on the Membership side of things later on in 2013, too. Fingers crossed everything goes according to plan – for both of us, huh…?!!
C
As luck would have it I’m coming after Stu McLaren (unless someone else pops in ahead of me) as my goal of 2013 is to create a video course on setting up a design business on a membership site (with a little help from WishList Member).
I don’t have a proudest moment of 2012 but my increasing passive income from my main site would be my favorite accomplishment.
Well done for what you’ve achieved this year, Chris. I was a big fan of VBL but I reckon you’ve crushed it with this new site. All the best for 2013!
Thanks, Rob.
Your comment means a lot to me, mate. Really. I’m hoping 2013 will be even bigger and better, obviously!
Stay tuned, and all the best with that passive income – awesome stuff.
C
Hi Chris,
I know you don’t have an ego to stroke (wink wink) so I won’t tell you that one of the biggest moments for me was the 45 minutes I spent in our 1-on-1 chat in your office in Cebu. Wouldn’t want your ego to get too big (ahem, just teasing).
Some might think I’m strange, but for me the biggest moment was when I fired all my VA’s in July then hired most of them back since — only one isn’t back cuz he’s leaving the country soon. The reason it was so good is because I realized that I had done just about everything wrong you can do with a VA and I needed to shake things up and get them back on the proper road.
For 2013 I have two routes that could happen a) completely drop everything to do with the Philippines and return to being a Canada-only business or b) move to Cebu and get my new life started there. I favour b), of course, but things will all come to a head in January to decide a) or b).
I’ve got my spy in Hyundai keeping an eye on your new business opening up on the 2nd floor. Can’t wait for him to report back to me about how it all gets going and how you are going to operate. It sounds totally unique, yet I know its not unique. But with Chris doing it I can’t imagine it not having a unique quality.
Happy Holidays All
Paul
Hi Paul
Stroke the ego, man – whenever you like!
I appreciate your kind words. It was good to spend a little time with you. I was happy I was free when you were in town – it doesn’t happen that much nowadays!!!
Good luck coming to the decision on 2013 and beyond. Whatever it turns out to be, it’ll be the right one for YOU, and thats all that really matters – remember that.
How much are you paying that security guard!!?! Haha. Yep – Location63 is moving along nicely. We ‘officially’ open in January!
Cheers,
C
Hi Chris,
My best achievement in 2012 was losing weight, I am 50 pounds down from my peak and only 20 away from my ideal weight. I have done it through gradual permanent change over the whole year, no “crash”. Down to a weight that I haven’t been for 25 years.
For 2013? Difficult to choose because I have so many concurrent goals. I would have to say the same as yours! I have written a book, and started on 2 others. The first needs polishing then I will use the Amazon kindle format first. I look forward to reading yours! Your 2 e-books are good and you have plenty of experience in writing now, so good luck!
Congrats on the weight loss, Jason – awesome stuff. And not an easy feat, for anyone – it’s tough with all the temptations around nowadays and the motivation required is insane sometimes! Stoked for you.
Love that so many people here also want to write books, thats great! We’re all in excellent company, then!
Appreciate the kind words, and hopefully it’ll be a reality for me sooner, rather than later.
Stay tuned.
C
Hi Chris-
I also have a 3 figure a month (sometimes 4) business that I want to triple next year. Or quadruple?? I want to do that by writing ebooks and other things. I definitely feel more focused for next year than I ever have.
Awesome. Love it!
eBook’s are huge – STILL – they still have the opportunity to help, inspire, motivate and go ‘viral’. Let me know when your first one is available. I’d love to check it out.
Focus is the key – as we all know. Happy that you feel so pumped for 2013, Janet – me, too!
C
Although 2012 was a tough year for me, I’m proudest of helping several people get started and grow their online business.
I was also able to release two new products, and attend two conferences. I’m looking forward to building on my 2012 successes in 2013.
Chris
PS. Chris I’m looking forward to meeting your at NMX.
That’s awesome, Chris.
Great – looking forward to meeting you in Vegas – come grab me, okay!!!
C
Hey Chris,
It certainly sounds like a productive and lively year – congratulations! This post was also a great inspiration to me because I’m also working on a lifelong and 2013 goal of becoming a published author! We’re working on the book now, though we do not have an agent yet. I look forward to reading updates about the process and your reflections when it’s all said and done.
Good luck and happy writing!
Austin Hodge
Awesome!
Welcome to the Ducker Madness Experience… LOL.
Glad you enjoyed the post / video and that you’re all fired up to rock the book. If you want me to introduce you to my agent, I’m happy to do so (with no promises on engagement, etc.).
Let me know.
C