Every month, I record my progress on my yearly goals to hold myself accountable and occasionally seek help and advice from readers willing to offer insight, ideas, and solutions.
Here are my results from April.
PERSONAL FITNESS/ATHLETICS
1. Don’t die.
I had a new tube put into my ear, but it wasn’t life-threatening.
It hurt like hell.
2. Lose 10 pounds.
Lost one pound in April. A total of four pounds down so far.
3. Do a targeted push-up workout at least four times per week.
Done.
4. Complete 100 sit-ups four times per week.
Done.
5. Complete three one-minute planks four times a week.
Done.
6. Cycle for at least five days every week.
I completed 21 rides in April. A total of 101 rides so far this year.
April was a bit light on rides due to travel, but I managed to fit in at least five rides every week.
7. Try at least three new vegetables I have never eaten before or do not like.
No progress.
8. Get a DEXA Scan and VO2 Max test at least once in 2025.
Local facility identified. The appointment will likely happen in the summer.
9. Lower my handicap to 19.9.
I played my first round of golf of the season. I shot a 48 on very aerated greens (probably cost me 3-4 strokes) and made a six-foot putt to win the match.
Good start.
WRITING CAREER
10. Complete my eighth novel.
Work continues.
11. Write, edit, and revise my golf memoir.
No progress.
12. Write my “Advice for Kids” book.
Solid progress. Nearly complete.
13. Write/complete at least three new picture books, including one with a female, non-white protagonist.
No progress.
14. Write about my childhood in partnership with my sister, Kelli, at least once per month.
No progress.
15. Write a new solo show.
Nearly complete. Finishing touches are being put on the show.
16. Submit at least three Op-Ed pieces to The New York Times for consideration.
No progress.
17. Write at least four letters to my father.
I sent my father a birthday card in March.
One letter so far this year.
18. Write 150 letters.
A total of 10 letters were written in April to neighbors, students, a colleague, parents of students, and a court clerk in Barnstable, MA, who found my 32 year old court records in “the basement vault,” thus moving me one step closer to being awarded with Global Reentry by the US State Department.
A total of 80 letters have been written in 2025 so far.
19. Write to at least six authors about a book I love.
No progress.
STORYTELLING/SPEAKING CAREER
20. Launch a new Homework for Life app.
The app is currently in beta form and is being tested by users, including me.
21. Record and publish at least 25 videos to my YouTube channel.
Four videos were posted in April. A total of 11 videos have been posted so far in 2025.
Thanks to my production manager, my YouTube channel is really taking off.
22. Perform a new solo show.
Dates have been locked in: May 4 and 5 at TheaterWorks in Hartford.
The shows are nearly sold out.
23. Revise my free Storyworthy Academy.
Done. Thanks primarily to the work of my partner and production manager, we have an outstanding free academy for anyone who wants to learn more about storytelling.
Check it out at storyworthy.com.
24. Record and produce at least three new Storyworthy courses.
Courses have been determined. Recording begins soon.
25. Produce a total of six Speak Up storytelling events in 2025.
No shows were produced in April.
We have upcoming shows scheduled on May 10 and June 7.
We have produced two shows in 2025:
- January 11 at the Connecticut Museum for History and Culture.
- February 7 at District in New Haven.
26. Submit pitches to at least three upcoming TEDx events, hoping to be accepted by one.
No progress.
27. Attend at least eight Moth events with the intention of telling a story.
I attended one Moth StorySLAM in April.
A total of four Moth events in 2025.
28. Win at least one Moth StorySLAM.
Done! I won my 62nd Moth StorySLAM in March.
29. Win a Moth GrandSLAM.
No Moth GrandSLAM opportunities yet.
30. Pitch “You’re a Monster, Matthew Dicks” or my new show to six theaters in 2025.
No progress.
31. Produce at least 24 episodes of our podcast Speak Up Storytelling.
No progress.
32. Perform stand-up at least six times.
No progress in April.
I’ve performed stand-up once in 2025.
33. Pitch three stories to This American Life.
No progress.
34. Submit at least three pitches to Marc Maron’s WTF podcast.
No progress.
35. Send a newsletter to readers at least 50 times.
Five newsletters were sent in April.
I’ve sent 26 newsletters in 2025.
HOME
36. Organize the basement.
A smidgen of progress. Some additional items have been thrown away. I’m going to need Elysha’s assistance to complete this project.
36. Clear the garage of unwanted items.
Done! The garage is officially clean, and all unwanted items are now gone.
37. Replace our backyard shed.
A new shed has been purchased. Permits are being acquired now. Arrival time is 6-8 weeks.
38. Get the hardwood floors refinished.
The work is scheduled to be completed in June.
FAMILY/FRIENDS
39. Travel to Europe.
Waiting on possible speaking tour dates to Australia, Germany, and Saudi Arabia before we finalize European dates.
40. Text or call my brother or sister once per month.
Done.
41. Bring my brother, sister, and me together at least twice in 2025.
No progress.
42. Take at least one photo of my children every day.
Except for days when I was away and unable to take the photograph, done.
43. Take at least one photo with Elysha and me each week.
I only took two photos with Elysha and me in April.
44. Plan a reunion of the Heavy Metal Playhouse.
No progress.
45. I will not comment positively or negatively on the physical appearance of anyone except my wife and children to reduce the focus on physical appearance in our culture overall.
Done.
46. Surprise Elysha at least 12 times.
I sent flowers to Elysha and her students on the first day of state testing.
I’ve surprised Elysha four times in 2025:
- A surprise birthday party on January 4
- Post Valentine’s Day flowers
- Clever and amusing office supplies
- Flowers on the first day of testing
47. Play poker at least six times.
I played poker twice with Charlie in 2025 — both times using a video poker game on a plane.
I’ve also found a way to play poker online again, if I choose to, though a live game is what I really want.
Two games of poker in 2025.
48. Spend at least six days with my best friend of more than 30 years.
No progress.
MUSIC
49. Memorize the lyrics to at least five favorite songs.
No progress.
50. Practice the flute at least four times per week.
No progress.
MISCELLANEOUS PROJECTS
51. Host at least three dinner parties where I cook.
No progress.
52. Develop a course on self-confidence.
Progress continues. Strategies are being collected, an instructional outline is being developed, and I’m interviewing people for thoughts and ideas.
53. Develop a list of strategies to help people deal with loneliness and produce it in some form.
I’ve started writing a book on the subject, based on the list of strategies I’m developing.
This was a surprise to me and my literary agent. Instead of writing the full book, I’ll be writing a proposal for the book.
54. Read at least 12 books.
I read one book in April:
”Factfulness” by Hans Rosling
I’m currently reading:
“Fight” by Jonahthan Allen and Amie Parnes
I’ve read 8 books thus far in 2025:
“Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara
“Schtick to Business” by Pete McGraw
”The Humor Code” by Pete McGraw
“Catching the Big Fish” by David Lynch
“Simply Said” by Jay Sullivan
”Miracle and Wonder” by Bruce Headlam and Malcolm Gladwell
“Revenge of the Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell
”Factfulness” by Hans Rosling
55. Finish reading TIME’s 100 Best Children’s Books of All Time.
No progress in April.
I’ve read five additional books in 2025, bringing my total to 44 total books read off the list.
56. Edit our wedding footage into a movie of the day.
No progress.
57. Digitize a pile of DVDs that contain dance recitals, plays, and other assorted moments from the past.
The material was sent out for digitization. I await its return.
58. Memorize three new poems.
Done!
I memorized “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer in April
I’ve memorized the following poems in 2025 thus far:
“This is Just to Say” by William Carlos Williams
“Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost
“Trees” by Joyce Kilmer
59. Post my progress regarding these resolutions on this blog and social media on the first day of every month.
Done.
