This year, to start the decade, I’m going to conduct a review of the past year. My hope is that it allows me to reflect on 2019, do more of what worked, and change what didn’t.
My annual review is going to consist of three questions:
- What went well this year?
- What didn’t go well this year?
- What did I learn this year?
This review is personal. It’s not meant to encourage you to do things like me or to offer you advice. My challenges are surely different from yours. I suggest you take the time to do this for yourself if it interests you. I’ve seen James Clear, Chris Guillebeau and Tim Ferriss all conduct similar reviews, so there must be something to it.
Here we go.
1. What went well this year?
I started a new company
Really scary, but really worth it. I took a leap this year, leaving behind a company I’d grown with other partners for over five years to start another business. None of the fears I had about starting the business turned out to be valid, so one of the lessons I’m taking from this is not to worry before it’s necessary. Something Great (my new company) has been a bright spot of 2019.
The Ad Spot
Our weekly newsletter which we started in June has grown to over 500 subscribers with no advertising. Our clients and potential clients have all subscribed, and our open rates are extremely high. I’ve sent it out religiously every Friday morning. This idea kicked around in my head for a long time and it’s really nice to see it turn into something that helps my business.
I married the love of my life
The best day of 2019 was July 20th. It’s the day I finally married my high school sweetheart, Amanda. Again, despite tons of worrying, the day went perfect – another reason to cut the worrying down in 2020. I wouldn’t change a thing about the day and am very grateful for our family and friends making the effort to attend. It was a long-distance for many since my family is so scattered across North America.
I got comfortable saving money
I feel like I spent without thinking in my twenties, and the idea of buckling down and saving for something that could help my future family finally stuck in 2019. We’ve managed to put money away to do renovations on our house this year and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished. I think what I’m most proud of is the way we’ve looked at the “sacrifices” without judgment or self-pity. We’re enjoying every minute of sacrificing knowing that it’s going to pay off (soon!).
2. What didn’t go well this year?
My main side project
I’m still not ready to announce my side project yet, but it’s been underway for a while now. This year I did a lot of planning, but didn’t increase my workload or drive much growth for my project. Hopefully, I’ll be able to discuss it more in my 2020 review.
My weight
I wrapped up 2019 weighing the most I have in years. After the wedding, I indulged and skipped the gym for many months.
My personal writing
I really wanted to start a project this year. I’ve had some story ideas kicking around for a while now, and haven’t been able to put pen to paper. My hope is that next year, I’ll be able to get more thoughts out of my head.
3. What did I learn this year?
Some of my major lessons in 2019 included:
Health isn’t guaranteed
My family had some health scares this year, and it’s been made crystal clear to me that nothing is guaranteed. Love the people close to you and give them your full attention when you’re with them.
Find bliss in the present
Again, attention is so important. I read Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey this year and it really drives home his favorite advice: Follow your bliss. When you follow your bliss, you’re present, your mind is clear, and you’re not worrying about the future or the past.
I feel like last year I realized that your years go how your days go – but I’m realizing it’s deeper than that. Your days go as your moments go.
It’s not all black and white
This year, someone pointed something out to me. I have a tendency to see the world in black and white, and I like to follow a script. It’s important that I recognize this about myself because so much of decision making is not black and white. There’s grey everywhere. Knowing that I have this tendency and addressing it is a huge help. It lets me pause and look at situations individually which I think will lead to better decision making.
This quote comes to mind when I realize that I’m thinking this way:
“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function. One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise.”
-F. Scott Fitzgerald
Focus for success
I tend to be scattered (and I like it that way), moving from project to project without care. I love to be invested in many different things at the same time. It’s in my blood, and there’s probably no fixing that. And again, I don’t think there’s anything to fix there. It keeps me going.
That said, what I’ve learned this year is that for the things that I really want to accomplish, some focus is required. The Ad Spot was a success this year because I allotted 4 hours to it every Thursday. Without that continued effort, it wouldn’t have made it. Commit to the important things in life and allot some time to focus on them every week. If you do that, success isn’t far off.
Speak of the devil – here’s what I’ll be focusing on in 2020: