What I want to write about and take notes on in 2021
I started my newsletter to create a forcing function for continuous learning. In 2020, it worked. I explored all sorts of interesting topics in the last year. Culture, leadership, and decision-making are a few examples.
In 2021, I plan to prioritize the following ten topics. If you have recommendations on articles, books, podcasts, or online courses in these areas, please send them my way.
Parenting. I will become a first-time parent in two months. Adjusting to fatherhood is a top-three goal for me in 2021. I have a lot to learn here.
Sleep. Learning how to improve my sleep will be a huge personal health focus for me in 2021. Historically, I’m a horrible sleeper. I expect this will require me to break many bad habits. (I’m told this conflicts with the first topic.)
Habits. Speaking of habits, this is a topic I’ve been meaning to spend more time on. There is a ton of interesting literature on the science of habits. I plan to dive much deeper into this subject this year.
APIs. API stands for Application Programming Interface. In simple terms, APIs are how different software applications talk to one another. In 2021, I want to learn how to work with and leverage APIs to improve and automate LegUp Health’s services.
Cryptocurrency. If I go another year without understanding Bitcoin and other blockchain technologies, I will regret it. It’s time to wade through the brain damage and try to “get it”.
Social media. In 2020, I fully adopted social media and used it more than I ever had before. Not only did it help combat loneliness during quarantine, but it also sourced many new meaningful relationships. In 2021, I’d like to learn how to optimize some of my favorite social media platforms, especially Twitter and LinkedIn.)
Marketing. In 2021, I will be focused on growing LegUp Health and LegUp Benefits. This will require me to explore and build out new marketing channels.
Health Insurance. I wrote a book about health insurance in 2014, but a lot has changed in the last six years. I also expect a lot more to change in the next two years as the Democrats take control of Congress. This will be a big content focus at LegUp Health in 2021.
Family medicine. I haven’t had a relationship with a reliable primary care physician in years. Also, family medicine is undergoing significant change. New telehealth providers and direct primary care subscriptions are examples of new care models. Since I’ll be starting a family in 2021, and primary care is also relevant to LegUp Health’s clients, now is a good time to take a deeper look.
Starting up to last. Every week, my CEO-friend Tyler and I record a podcast called Startup to Last. The theme for the podcast is building profitable businesses that are meant to last, infinitely. We refer to these businesses as “Startup to Last companies”. I want LegUp Ventures (which owns and operates LegUp Health and LegUp Benefits) to be a Startup to Last company. In 2021, I want to do a better job of documenting and implementing the core principles of Startup to Last.
If any of these topics interest you in 2021, I look forward to learning with you. And if you are an expert in any of these topics, I look forward to learning from you.