Untemplater Highlights Of 2014

Another year is quickly coming to a close. I didn’t even realize it’s almost Christmas until someone asked me a few days ago if I’d done all of my shopping (I hadn’t!). 2014 has been a challenging year for me, and although I think I did okay, I do feel that I could have done more. But I suppose I tend to feel that way every year end.

2015 will be a year of significant change for me as I transition into a new job, or potentially full time entrepreneurship depending on how things go, and I’m looking forward to starting a new chapter and seeing what I’m really capable of. I’ll be pushing myself out of my comfort zone, testing my limits, aggressively saving, and definitely continuing to learn a lot.

One thing I’m always grateful for this time of year is being able to go back and read through my thoughts, milestones, and lessons that I’ve shared on Untemplater. If I don’t write things down, I unfortunately tend to forget, so it’s nice to have access to see what I was contemplating, interested in, and working on over time.

Thanks again for all of your support and readership on Untemplater, and I’ll do my best to keep the posts coming. I’m looking forward to the energy and excitement of the New Year, and getting more things done. Here is my list of Untemplater highlights of 2014:

The Brick Walls Are There For A Reason

Life is unfair all the time. It throws curve balls at us that we never anticipated. And we all get knocked down sometimes. But it offers us SO much more. Life is what we make of it, and we will always have less time than we want. Randy Pausch is someone I turn to when I need inspiration, and what a fantastic lesson he gives us that the brick walls are there for a reason.

How To Reduce Stress Fast In 60 Different Ways 

We all tend to get stressed out this time of year, so it’s helpful to read through this list and pick a few methods to distract your brain and purge those toxic stress chemicals from your body. A few of my favorites are #3, 4, 10, 20, 24, 39.

What Breaking Bad Teaches Us About Business And Money 

A  fantastic TV show or movie isn’t just entertaining, it teaches us lessons about life. The acting and writing in Breaking Bad is incredible, and I loved the show so much that I had to write a post about some of the teachings that we can learn from the show.

20 Signs You Should Find A New Job

It’s a bit ironic that I wrote this post about a year ago. I should have started looking for a new job when I wrote this post, but not all of the warning signs had surfaced for me yet, and I was also definitely still in denial. But numbers #4, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15, 17, and definitely 19 are so apparent to me now. At least it’s better late than never to start looking for a new job when things get rough.

Who Should Pay For A Wedding? You May Not Like The Answer 

Weddings are a popular subject and I’m always shocked at how much money people spend for their wedding day. The expectations of who pays for what have changed too, and more and more couples are taking on all expenses without help from their family. Who do you think should pay for a wedding?

8 Reasons Why Stress Has Actually Improved My Life 

I had a tough year at work, and it forced me to look at why I’ve been stressed and how it’s affected me. Wanting to focus on the positives, I came to realize that there are a lot of ways that stress has taught me some great life lessons. Not all stress is bad. It can actually help us become better people.

Never Underestimate What You’re Capable Of

Some of the most inspiring people are those who came from nothing, worked harder than everyone they came across, and built their own empire. We are all capable of so many incredible things, and sometimes all it takes is simply believing that we can do them. Forget about doubters, your own fears, or past failures. There are a lot of free resources that you can take advantage of to learn how to do new and exciting things.

Why Are So Many People Bad At Their Jobs?! 

I wrote this post leading up to my decision to start looking for a new job. It’s beyond frustrating when you have to deal with so many incompetent and rude people who are terrible at their jobs. There are a lot of folks out there suffering from low morale and a lack of skills too, which makes things a constant battle. How do you cope?

Efficient Travel Tips From A Burnt Out Explorer

I’ve been through a lot of airports over the years, and I’m burnt out! Traveling is such an eye opening experience, but everyone has their limits, and it can get exhausting after a while. However, I’ve never regretted any trip I’ve made, and I’m looking forward to some time abroad in the coming months. Take a read through my travel tips before your next trip!

Celebrated My 3 Year Blogversary & Closing In On The 4th

I found out by accident that I had passed my 3 year mark blogging back in April. And now, I’m closing in on year 4 already. If you asked me when I first started if I thought I’d still be writing and running a blog now, I doubt I would have said yes. Time goes oh so fast, and one thing I’ve learned is that we are all capable of more than we often give ourselves credit for. Even though I am not as successful as I want to be in my entrepreneurial path at this point, I’d proud for sticking with it all these years and wanting to improve and grow in more ways.

Untemplaters, did you have a favorite from this list of Untemplater highlights of 2014, or one I missed? Have you spent any time reflecting on the last twelve months? Were there any milestones, exciting trips, or fun events you experienced that you want to share with us?

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