2019 Year In Review

As we’re heading to 2020, the holiday downtime is perfect for a little reflection...and a much-needed Reality Check.

I want to share my 2019 year in review and guide myself (and hopefully, you will find it useful) by answering two questions: 
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• What went well in 2019?
• What didn’t go so well in 2019?

​What Went Well

Improv comedy. I decided to sign up improv comedy classes in 2019 as a way to try things that make me feel uncomfortable - doing things before I feel ready. 

My initial plan was to try it for 2-3 classes but I ended up going all year long (and will continue in 2020). 

I just had to get over the tendency to chicken out when I want to do something but don’t feel ready. 
 
It’s part of the deal. Doing challenging things creates excitement and confusion at the same time. 

Go with the flow. Like the improv folks like to say. 

Minimizing the digital life. I’ve retreated from Zuck’s digital playground for quite some time now. 

Some of the crap on Facebook (or social media in general) is really cool. But it can also suck enormous quantities of time from you. 

Pro tip: Don’t argue politics with your crazy uncles on Facebook, it doesn’t end well. 

My goal is not to live like the Amish do but to be more mindful about digital addictions (social media, constant texting, etc.) and how it’s affecting my attention so that I can be more in control of my time and life. 

Health/Exercise. It’s so easy to live like a dog - never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lay down, and never just lie there when you can nap. 

After seeing some deaths around me, it suddenly hit me that you gotta be healthy in order to be successful. 

All the money and possessions won’t do a thing for you, if you’re gasping for breath on your deathbed. 

(I actually got my walking pace in the neighborhood of a Wall Street hedge fund asshole with business to get to.) 

​What Didn't Go Well

Traveling. Only visited two new cities (in two different states) in 2019 where I initially planned for more. 

Writing. Only wrote 3 articles in 2019, which was my lowest total since 2015. I’m not overly concerned about it in the short term. 

However, I did notice a trajectory where you’ve sailed through the honeymoon phase of doing something new and find yourself mired in the “grind it out” slog. 

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​Things I want to focus on in 2020

​Building good habits. Just think how many New Year’s resolutions fail. This includes writing more regularly and eating healthier food...and sticking to these habits. 

Making better decisions. Good decisions aren’t made by flipping coins. There are moments where you HAVE to make a decision. Turns out, to get all scared and avoiding making a decision actually IS a decision (and often a worse one). 

Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!