Happy New Year 2024!

Another year has passed and it’s time to look at what happened in 2023 and plan for 2024. I have mentioned in previous New Year’s posts that one of my inspirations for this end of the year ritual is Chris Guillebeau’s writings including The Art of Non-Conformity blog and book. Chris uses the turning of the year as inspiration for reflection and planning, I think this is as good a time as any for doing this, after all I seem to always have this day off!

What worked in 2023: It was a reasonably profitable year for my company, I managed to publish another book and teach lots of classes for Automation Training, one of my favorite activities. Among other places, I visited Miami, Houston, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Raleigh, Chicago, Detroit and Boston (twice!) Traveling is an enjoyable part of my job.

I also worked 10 days every month for Automation NTH, where I create content for NTH University and teach classes. I did several Beckhoff classes (NTH212) and two PLC simulation intern trainings (NTH115). I enjoy working there and hanging out with all the creative brilliant engineers.

I was only at American Beverage Depot once, for two weeks in August, but I am impressed with the changes and modernization that has occurred there since I started working with them in 2014.

What didn’t work so much: despite a great family trip to Florida last April, I took very little time off for myself. I didn’t attend any conferences or trade shows for networking, and had almost no extracurricular activities for fun.

My marketing activities truly sucked. Other than my webinars every 2-3 weeks and a few random ads thrown out on Linked In, I did almost nothing. One, I am not very good at writing ad copy, two, I don’t have a lot of consistent extra time, three, I HATE it. I really need help, but I don’t think the answer is throwing money at marketing companies or ad agencies. I need a plan and a partner.

Overall though, I can’t complain. I don’t exercise enough, but I also don’t overeat or drink (much), and all my family relationships are good. At 63 years of age I don’t have many health problems. There is certainly room for improvement in 2024 though.

Plans for 2024: I have totally remodeled and improved my office space in preparation for my Mastering the Machine workshops January 8-19. For more on this, check out my last couple of webinars on YouTube:

I hope to do a lot more of these courses in 2024 and beyond. Of course I will be teaching PLC and HMI programming at these classes, but I have also added pneumatics, CAD, Machine Safety, design and hope to include more hands-on labs for servos and motor control. Panel fab and wiring are also part of the curriculum, though I am not sure what form it will take yet.

Anyway, Happy New Year and hit me up if you need any training!