Written by Jason Montoya. Posted in My Life.

March 2018: 31 Rapid Fire Discoveries (+ Status Updates)

We're over a quarter of the way through 2018. What progress (or regress) have you made? The conclusion of March and the Start of April is the four year anniversary since we shut down Noodlehead Marketing. Wow! So much change and progress have elapsed during this short period of time.

Towards the end of the month, I had some moments to reflect on the progress we've made and the position we're now in. It's quite amazing to recognize that we were not only starting over four years ago, we were actually climbing out of a financial hole. We're now building towards a stronger and healthier future.

As usual in this monthly reflection point, let's dive into the bullet points of things I learned, discovered, and was reminded about.

31 Rapid Fire Discoveries & Reminders From March 2018

What lessons did I learn? What discoveries did I make? What interesting resources did I come across? What insights did I remember?

“If there is only one strand of faith amongst all the corruption within us, God will take hold of that one strand.” Oswald Chambers
Preventing drift is not about perfect coordinates and direction at the beginning, it's about checkpoints along the way to keep adjusting to stay on target. Both a clear destination and ongoing correction are ideal.
There's a new Relevant Magazine podcast about faith and politics call The Faith Angle with Kirsten Powers & Jonathan Merritt. It's a must-listen.
There is a difference between doing something that makes us feel good and doing something that addresses the real issue.
When something we like changes in a way that deteriorates our positive view of that thing, and something else offers a better solution, we're prime targets for a switch.
We should treat email like police treat radio communications. Respond to every message with at least an ok, 10-4, smiley face, or no.
"Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them." - Oswald Chambers
People would rather address symptoms then face the source of those issues.
Crisis can easily incite a backlash. A Simple act of listening and willingness to help can tame the harshest of storms.
"Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone...just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." - F. Scott Fitzgerald
Take advantage of life's movement to make it easier to grow relationships.
When we hit capacity we can either scale by growing our team or rates. The tradeoffs are different for each.
Many people can be so concerned with how others perceive them that they run experiences or make the situation worse by continually justify themselves or blaming others.
"Beware of isolation; beware of the idea that you have to develop a holy life alone. It is impossible to develop a holy life alone; you will develop into an oddity and a peculiarism, into something utterly unlike what God wants you to be. The only way to develop spiritually is to go into the society of God’s own children, and you will soon find how God alters your set. God does not contradict our social instincts; He alters them." - Oswald Chambers
Abandon the guru leadership model also known as bottleneck syndrome.
I'm a multi-generational entrepreneur helping digital small businesses grow income, teams, and owners.
"And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. " - Paul The Apostle
What does "Sin" Mean?
Panera customers can order from their table using an internet connected device.
There were times in the Noodlehead Marketing journey where we were hiring before growing the team instead of growing the business and hiring to support the demand.
"Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led. But it does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading. " - Oswald Chambers
We humans have a hard time living in the uncomfortable or vulnerable places. Openness requires vulnerability, but it's usually where people choose to hurt us.
I value supporting people on the front lines of life, business, and community.
There's a phrase for when its raining and the sun is out. "The devil is beating his wife" Thx TheOdd1sOut.
If after we take a break from something, we can determine how committed we were based on if we continue that activity or not.
Selling a discovery before the service itself will change your future work for the better.
In third grade, I cheated on a spelling test.
When something we're associated with is suddenly perceived negatively, our tendency is to disassociate ourselves with that thing or person instead of leaning in and working to fix and make it better.
Frodo: "I wish none of this had happened." Gandalf: "So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."
In every relational failure, there are areas for us to improve. Let's focus on changing ourselves instead of stunting our growth by blaming others.
Be the anomaly.

What about you? What did you learn last month?

March 2018 Goals: Status Update

At the onset of March, I published my four goals for the month. Here's what I accomplished and where I failed.

Finish Populating My Next Book's Content, 50% Complete: In February, I did about 50% of this task. In March, I completed another 25% leaving me short, 25%. Now at 75% complete, I'll move this task into April with the intent to finally knock out the book starting point content. The good news of working through this action is recognizing that the book content is mostly written. Once I finish populating it, my next task will be massaging it to flow as a book instead of fragmented blog posts glued together.
Moving Forward With Orderly Home Initiative, 100% Complete: I added the daily in my Habitica to ensure the kiddos clean up the downstairs open area before day's end and we've kept the anchor habit going throughout the month. In addition, I also pushed to have us keep the minivan clean and organized after each trip which was also successful. The goal here is to continue maintaining it while also taking additional baby steps for the kids to maintain the discipline of cleaning and organizing the house, thus alleviate the impending burden of a new life joining the family.
Improve My Services & Joomla Pages, 100% Complete: I'm happy to announce that this project was completed on both fronts. I added additional case study stories to my work page and I rebuilt my Joomla freelancer page. In fact, I'm now ranking number eight on page one of Google for Atlanta Joomla Freelancer!
Knock Out Several Small House Projects, 25% Complete: Out of the four projects to knock out, I only completed one, making this my worst progressed goal of the month.

Quickly surveying these monthly goals, I completed slightly less than 70% so that would be D in school. In college, a D fails a class, so good thing I'm not in college anymore! These goals are important but not urgent so as long as I continue moving them along, I'm satisfied.

2018 Goals Progress Report

Here's the monthly update on my goals set for 2018.

Daily Utmost & Bible Verse Of The Day: Like clockwork, I've continued to sustain this habit without fail.
Read Hidden Treasures In The Book Of Job With Wife: I've finished reading the book and discussed the first three chapters with my wife. With recent life chaos, we've failed to make any additional progress on the discussion.
Kiddo Snuggle Time: With a few exceptions, I've continued to sustain nightly kiddo snuggle time for this month. Now they expect it, so the reminders are constant.
Small Group Engagement With Men: After my failure of not showing up at the last scheduled breakfast, I've yet to reschedule a follow time to get together.
Kia Sedona Loan Eliminated: $16,627.54 Paid
Finish 2nd Book: See monthly goals above.
400 Total Published Blog Posts in 2018

287 Published Articles = End of 2017
10 = January 2018
12 = February
13 = March
35 = 2018 Total Blog Count
-2 = Archived Blogs
320 = All-Time Total
80 = Remaining For 2018 (to hit 400 goal)

Sustain 2017 Income With Few Hours in 2018

January Hours: 128.25/122 (+6.5)
February: 122.25/122 (+0.25)
March: 127/122 (+5)
YTD Total: 377.50 (+11.5 overage)

One Mile, Eight Times/Month

January = 2 miles
February = 3 miles
March = 4 miles

Gwinnett Church Volunteering: I've attended the guest services volunteer orientation. My next step is to shadow a volunteer, which will happen mid-April.
Habitica (Habit management app) Report: My success this month was mixed. I think I died twice in March! It does keep me moving forward, but I've not yet mastered making everything happen.