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- 2024 Annual Report: A Year of Resilience and Refinement
- Context
- Introduction
- Themes of the Year
- Key Moments & Lessons Learned
- Personal Growth
- Community Impact & Relationships
- Future Vision
- Conclusion: Gratitude as My Anchor
- Great Links:
- Great Articles:
- Great Videos:
- Words Learned:
- Favorite Quotes This Year:
- Favorite, Most Applicable and Helpful Bible Verses
- Favorite Movies This Year:
- Favorite Books This Year:
- Quotes That Applied to My Life This Year:
- Realizations and Understandings I Had This Year (Dot-Connecting Themes and Meta-Themes to then Implement in my Life):
- Breakdowns to Breakthroughs:
- Models I Applied This Year (Subjective to 2021):
- People I Learned From and About:
- Words I Used the Most This Year:
- What I Learned:
- Cool Pics:
2024 Annual Report: A Year of Resilience and Refinement
Context
There is nothing more fitting for 2024 than getting the help of AI to craft this years Annual Report on Happiness.
I prompted ChatGPT by giving it my 2024 journal entries, writings, and many essays. I also gave it my 2024 journal entry document containing 21,377 words.
From there, I asked ChatGPT to generate a report for me with the specific request of infusing my personality into the writing (ChatGPT now knows my personality based on the many historical conversations we’ve had).
Additionally, I want this year’s report to be more qualitative and original, not focusing so much on facts and quantitative — which is what I’ve done most other years.
Once ChatGPT has created an outline and rough draft for me, I’m going to take back the steering wheel and drive this report home with my own, individual critiquing.
That is what AI is for: assistance with the hard stuff.
I’m excited to try this out and for you to read what’s happened in my 366 days of 2024.
Introduction
2024 was a year unlike any other. It wasn’t simply a continuation of my story—it was a seismic shift, a crucible year where challenges refined me, and triumphs reaffirmed my purpose. From grappling with financial instability to witnessing profound personal and spiritual breakthroughs, this year wasn’t just lived; it was transformed. The boom of AI, alongside the persistent call of faith and discipline, made this year a dance between embracing the cutting-edge and clinging steadfastly to eternal truths.
Themes of the Year
- Faith in Action: A constant undercurrent of growth and surrender to God's plan.
- Resilience Under Pressure: From business challenges to personal battles, this year was about enduring and thriving under life's weight.
- The Power of Reflection: A commitment to journaling and prayer unlocked clarity amidst chaos.
- Building with Intentionality: Relationships, systems, and ideas were not just maintained but sharpened and elevated.
- Spiritual Armor: Ephesians 6 echoed in my heart: “Put on the full armor of God.” This year wasn’t just about surviving trials but thriving in them through spiritual resilience.
- The Power of Community: Whether through church, business partners, or divine encounters, relationships became my refuge and source of strength.
Key Moments & Lessons Learned
The Edge of Survival
Early in the year, financial challenges loomed large. Facing eviction notices, having an empty fridge at many moments, and severe company trials tested my resolve. Yet, these were not just moments of trial but of learning:
- Lesson: God’s provision is precise. “You created the universe. How much more a small human like me?”
- Growth: Strengthened my reliance on faith over fear and action over paralysis.
Divine Encounters and Discernment
From the poet on South Congress Avenue to serendipitous connections at events, 2024 was marked by moments that felt orchestrated beyond coincidence.
- Lesson: “What you think is who you become.” These encounters reaffirmed the power of mindset and obedience to God’s timing.
- Growth: Developed deeper discernment, seeing every encounter as an opportunity to serve or be sharpened.
Mastering Pressure
As reflected in my journals, “pressure” became both a challenge and a teacher.
- Lesson: Positive pressure is a catalyst for growth. My response to pressure transformed from reactionary to strategic.
- Growth: Built a foundation for navigating future crises with poise and faith.
The Marathon of Faith
Running a marathon in Monterrey, MX to cap off 2023 while balancing business crises mirrored my spiritual journey. Both required stamina, strategy, and surrender.
- Lesson: The race isn’t always to the swift but to those who endure.
- Growth: Found joy in perseverance, seeing challenges as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks.
Personal Growth
This year, growth came in layers:
Spiritual: This was a year of profound revelations. My reflections on “disobedience” as separation from God’s will, reoriented my actions. Regular communion with Scripture and prayer deepened my connection to Christ.
Emotional: 2024 taught me to anchor my emotions in truth rather than circumstance. Gratitude became my weapon against despair.
Intellectual: I leaned into AI, not as a crutch but as a tool to amplify my creativity and productivity. Combining traditional wisdom with modern technology reshaped my approach to content creation and problem-solving.
Mentally: As it goes in 2 Corinthians 10, we must “take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ.” This year taught me what such discipline and obedience truly entails.
Physically: gained 25 lbs (mostly muscle) by doing a 200-day fitness challenge with my business partner, Nick.
Family: became a first time uncle (neice was born in December)
Connections: established business relationships with the best of the best in my industry. I also learned who is loyal to me and who is not — based on who stuck close and helped me during tough times.
Community Impact & Relationships
2024 highlighted the importance of lifting others:
- Strengthened bonds with my brothers, friends, and colleagues.
- Leaned into evangelism, giving, and connecting deeply with others who needed encouragement.
- Preaching my first mini-sermon.
- Joining Bible studies that brought clarity and unity.
- Contributed to my businesses not only financially but through mentoring, fundraising, and vision-setting.
Future Vision
Spiritually: My mission remains clear: “To know God and make Him known.” That exact mission is an embodiment of my last name, D’Apolito, which means “to set the horses free”. I want to set the horses (people) free and let them run wild in God’s green earth, as his children, as they were always meant to. If there is one thing 2024 taught me, it’s the importance of prayer. This year will be an anchored extension of that. Every year, I name my year as though it’s a chapter in the book of my life. 2025 is going to be named PRAYER, POWER, & PROSPERITY (all caps for a reason). Ongoing Bible study and building up the simple church is another spiritual priority of mine. Evangelism efforts, from orphanages, college campuses, prisons, and more will be also be a key focus in 2025.
Financially: Eliminating debt and building generational wealth remains a priority. 2024 showed me the cost of inaction; 2025 will reflect intentionality in every dollar spent and invested.
Professionally: The vision for ZIKI and The Food Company is more refined than ever. We will rise from the ashes stronger, leveraging the lessons of this year. Finishing our business fundraising efforts is the TOP priority.
Physically: gain 10 more lbs of muscle (210 total weight is the aim)
Family: have found my wife and truly know she is the one I want to build my life with. Also, setting up the foundation for my lifelong family business conglomerate is an important step I want to take this year.
Connections: grow and establish the A1 Group I’ve created (currently at 19 members)
Conclusion: Gratitude as My Anchor
2024 was a year of fire, but fire refines gold. I am stepping into 2025 with a heart full of gratitude for the battles fought, the lessons learned, and the blessings received. Thank you, Lord, for this year of transformation. The best is yet to come.
To God be the Glory, Forever and Always.
Great Links:
Great Articles:
Great Videos:
Men’s Systematic Theology Study - Series:
Words Learned:
Latin Word for “Education” — means “to draw out” rather than “to cram in”.
Ora Et Labora — pray + work.
Crepuscular rays — means "relating to twilight" and these rays are observed at sunrise and sunset.
Imperturbable — unable to be upset or excited; calm.
Hygge — a word in Danish and Norwegian that describes a cozy, contented mood evoked by comfort and conviviality.
Educate — derived from the Latin word “educo”, meaning to educe, to draw out, to develop from within.
"Maranatha" — translated as "Come, Lord!".
Sláinte Mhaith — can be translated as "Good Health" or "Cheers to Your Health". It is commonly used as a drinking toast in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man.
Interoception — may be less well known than the “outward facing” senses such as sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell, but it has enormous consequences for your wellbeing.
Hygge ("hooga") — difficult to explain, too. In brief, hygge is about taking time away from the daily rush to be together with people you care about - or even by yourself - to relax and enjoy life's quieter pleasures. The word dates back to around 1800, at least in the meaning it has today.
Kizuna — the enduring bonds between people—close relationships forged through mutual trust and support.
Ginosko — to know or to perceive
Epiripto — to cast; to transfer
Favorite Quotes This Year:
“If you try to catch 2 rabbits, you’ll catch none.” — Russian Proverb
“Design is done, not when there’s nothing more to add, but rather nothing more to take away.” — Founder of Patagonia
“My co-founder Nivi said, 'In a long-term game, it seems that everybody is making each other rich. And in a short-term game, it seems like everybody is making themselves rich.'” — Excerpt From The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness @EricJorgenson
“A contrarian isn’t one who always objects — that’s a conformist of a different sort. A contrarian reasons independently from the ground up and resists pressure to conform. Cynicism is easy. Mimicry is easy. Optimistic contrarians are the rarest breed.” — Excerpt From The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness by Eric Jorgenson
"You will get more of what you tolerate." — Nick Huber
“This is hard. This is why I say it takes decades — I’m not saying it takes decades to execute, but the better part of a decade may be figuring out what you can uniquely provide.” — Excerpt From The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness by Eric Jorgenson // Naval talking about leveraging your uniqueness
“You remember that [Russian] expression: ‘trust but verify’? Well, he was trust. She was verify.” – Ronald Reagan’s favorite Russian phrase (p. 133, The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency)
“From a small seed a mighty trunk may grow.” — Aeschylus
“Winners never quit and a quitters never win.” — Think & Grow Rich
V = N^2 (a network’s economic value equals the number of the network’s users squared). In plain language, Metcalfe’s Law means that a network acts as a lever: It allows you to leverage your time and effort. — Metcalfe’s Law applied to modern life
“If you buy a piece of real estate for $100,000 and then sell it for $200,000, that’s not an asset; you just generated a $100,000 capital gain. You had to shoot the asset to get that money. You’ve killed the asset. It’s like selling your cow for money. I’d rather own the cow and sell the milk.” — The Business of the 21st Century: Book Summary
Favorite, Most Applicable and Helpful Bible Verses
“In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” — Proverbs 14:23
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
“Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” — Proverbs 12:11
“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.” — Proverbs 6:6-8
“Behold, I have refined you, but not with silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” — Isaiah 48:10
“For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control.” — 2 Timothy 1:7
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” — Romans 12:2
“Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts.” — Proverbs 20:30
“…that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” — Matthew 5:45
Favorite Movies This Year:
Mystic River
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (show)
The Forge
Juror #2
Vinland Saga (show)
Collateral
Peaky Blinders (show)
Dune: Part One
Gladiator 2
The Color of Money
Favorite Books This Year:
The Gatekeepers by Chris Whipple
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson
Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson
Think and Grow Rich by Naploeon Hill
Perennial Seller by Ryan Holiday
Quotes That Applied to My Life This Year:
“THE TRUTH IS LIKE A LION. YOU DON'T HAVE TO DEFEND IT. LET IT LOOSE. IT WILL DEFEND ITSELF.” — ST. AUGUSTINE
“When progress feels invisible, shift the attention from progress to presence. The win is showing up.” — Made Vibrant article
“My co-founder Nivi said, ‘In a long-term game, it seems that everybody is making each other rich. And in a short-term game, it seems like everybody is making themselves rich.’” — Excerpt From The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness by Eric Jorgenson
“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who couldn’t hear the music.” — Friedriche Nietzsche
"He who learns the most, earns the most." — Les Brown
“We run to God when trials come only to learn that God’s the one who sovereignly gave us the trials that we might run to Him." — Burk Parsons
"A problem well-articulated is a problem half solved." — Charles Kettering
"If you want to be successful, find out what the price is and then pay it." — Scott Adam
“Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived, or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed?” — Anonymous
Realizations and Understandings I Had This Year (Dot-Connecting Themes and Meta-Themes to then Implement in my Life):
I know where I’m going. An unstoppable focus combined with positive, consistent action creates an unstoppable momentum. That can lead opportunities unlike ever before.
You’re not where you want to be because you are not present on where you are and what improvements your skillset and mindset need, in order to get to where you want to go.
Being within the proper community and group of people can unleash a higher level of potential within you.
Writing and video editing are extremely similar.
Breakdowns to Breakthroughs:
The obstacle is the way. The only way is through. Your new transformed character is within the conquering of the current, difficult situation you are facing.
Outwork your self doubt.
Opportunities lie within the rubble of uncertainty and discomfort.
Models I Applied This Year (Subjective to 2021):
Socratic Questioning Method
“Water the Bamboo” Metaphor
Community (joined or participated in ATX Writing Club, The Board Walks, Sapien Center, Squatch Frontier Fitness, Men’s Bi-Weekly Book Study on Godly Manhood, Men’s Weekly Saturday Morning Bible Study, A1 Group, and most importantly my continual involvement within my local church of GCA)
People I Learned From and About:
Thank you to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because he allows me to learn about him daily - from His Word, from others who dissect His Word, and from a multitude of other objective experiences from others in this life
My family - parents and brothers
Nick Nanakos
Dom Primerano
Alex Levy — he gave me the opportunity to read a manuscript of his forecoming, new book. It was the second time I was given a manuscript to read and edit, before the books publication.
Andy Elliott
John Boyd
Baxter Blackwood
Maruf Hossain
Stuart Olyott
Jack Butcher (also his courses: Permissionless Apprentice and Build Once, Sell Twice)
Brian Tracy
Charles Sharpe
The Color of Money (movie)
“You don’t think about it but it makes your day like electricity.” — Eddie
“Pool excellence doesn’t come down to excellent pool… it’s about becoming something.” — Eddie
Students of human moves. — Eddie
Terrence Howard
Logan Jennings
Rilee Keenan
Words I Used the Most This Year:
Subconscious
High-signal
Amazing
Mindset
What I Learned:
Keep pushing. Keep positive momentum.
Semen retention, physical fitness, and reading is beneficial for young men. Most young men’s shortcomings can be solved with an improvement on the three things I mentioned. Most importantly, a young man’s soul and heart-posture with Jesus is what needs to be focused on the most.
Sales (a.k.a mastering communication)
Financial Modeling
U.S Federal Tax Code (a.k.a Internal Revenue Code)
U.S Codes
Legal
Microeconomics (further studied this topic)
The Apostles Doctrine
Advanced Sales & Marketing (mastering communication — in-person and online)
The Russel Periodic Table
The Flower of Life
Nikola Tesla 369 Theory
1 x 1 = 2
ABC — Always Be Closing
AIDA — Attention, Interest, Decision, Action
The only time achieving comes before believing is in the dictionary.
Chess
Cool Pics:
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© Anthony Dap III | Dream BIG & Co. LLC 2020-2030