This is my end-of-year report. After 365 days of striving and reaching, here are the results of my planning and effort.
The finally accouting of my goals for 2025.
Overall, I completed 40 of my 59 goals for a completion percentage of 68%.
If it were a grade on a report card, it would be a D.
But it’s better than my previous 15-year average of 56.1%
The letter grade for my last 15 years would be an F, so my D turns out to be pretty good.
I also strongly believe in setting audacious goals. I love exceedingly high bars and embrace failure as a testament to those high expectations.
It was also a year when several goals were nearly complete, but I didn’t get them across the finish line by December 31. However, I will likely complete them in early 2025.
Overall, it was a solid year of success with some notable failures.
2010: 44%
2011: 62%
2012: 30%
2013: 60%
2014: 60%
2015: 59%
2016: 59%
2017: 71%
2018: 50%
2019: 48%
2020: 54%
2021: 45%
2022: 69%
2023: 66%
2024: 65%
2025: 68%
Some of my goals were missed for understandable reasons.
I was unable to complete the basement organization because I needed Elysha to review more than a dozen bins of clothing and other items. It was, to some degree, beyond my control.
I’m also nearing completion on two new books, but again, I didn’t get them quite over the finish line in 2025. Both are close.
Others were entirely my fault, and some were outright disappointing.
I didn’t practice my flute regularly even though I really wanted to play.
I didn’t re-launch our podcast, which fans are clamoring for, and it would likely drive many potential customers to my Storyworthy.com website and the products I offer.
After finally extracting the footage from our wedding from an ancient computer, I didn’t edit it into anything we could watch. My production manager is uniquely qualified for this work, but I failed to deliver.
I didn’t spend nearly enough time with my friend, Bengi.
I failed to host any dinner parties — something I was excited about — or to bring my brother, sister, and me together for any event in 2025, which I was also excited about.
I also had some notable achievements in 2025.
Reading 23 books and writing 220 letters — far outpaced those original goals.
I finally got the hardwood floors refinished and a new shed to replace the old one.
I made significant progress on projects related to loneliness and confidence workshops.
I won half of the Moth StorySLAMs in which I competed and won a Moth GrandSLAM championship.
I also launched a second Substack, where I wrote a novel-length account of the summer of 2007, when a small band of anonymous cowards tried to destroy my life. This was not originally a goal for 2025, but it was a huge success that will hopefully transition into an actual book.
I discovered rucking, too, which was also not a goal but an excellent addition to my life.
Overall, 2025 was an excellent year for goal completion despite having completed only two-thirds of my goals.
My 2025 New Year’s Resolutions
PERSONAL FITNESS/ATHLETICS
1. Don’t die.
SUCCESS.
Another trip around the sun, and I’m still breathing.
I suffered smoke inhalation twice in 2025, thanks to a fire in our home and a building fire in Brooklyn.
Earlier in the year, one of the tubes in my ears dislodged, causing me to drop to the floor like a sack of potatoes, but I was unharmed.
I also had dental surgery in 2025, but my life was never in danger (as far as I know, since I was asleep).
2. Lose 10 pounds.
FAIL.
I didn’t lose any weight in December. Instead, I gained four pounds.
I weigh four more pounds today than I did on January 1 of last year.
Stiupid me.
3. Do a targeted push-up workout at least four times per week.
SUCCESS.
I accomplished this goal with remarkable fidelity in 2025.
4. Complete 100 sit-ups four times per week.
SUCCESS.
I accomplished this goal with remarkable fidelity in 2025.
5. Complete three one-minute planks four times a week.
SUCCESS.
I hated doing this goal. It’s so boring, and the cats always bother me. I don’t think I’ll repeat it in 2026.
6. Cycle for at least five days every week.
SUCCESS.
I completed 22 rides in December — all indoor.
A total of 245 rides in 2025, plus about two dozen rucking sessions.
7. Try at least three new vegetables I have never eaten before or do not like.
FAIL.
I didn’t taste a single new thing. I ate my first gooseberry back in July, which is not a vegetable.
8. Get a DEXA Scan and VO2 Max test at least once in 2025.
SUCCESS.
9. Lower my handicap to 19.9.
FAIL.
I played just two rounds of golf in December. Miracle rounds given the time of year.
My handicap remains 28.2.
Despite not getting close to a handicap of 19.9, I’m still making legitimate progress on my swing. I still don’t hit the ball nearly far enough, but I’m always in the middle of the fairway and rarely in trouble.
I just don’t hit the fall far enough.
My short game — chipping and putting — is excellent. I actually aim at bunkers at times to avoid water, knowing I can put the ball on the green from my sandtraps with ease.
Still, a 28.2 ain’t good. It means I’m shooting around 100, which is accurate. I tend to shoot 48-52 for nine holes.
Then again, unlike many people I know, I score and record every round. I don’t toss out especially bad rounds and always score every hole. I’ve also never takena mulligan in my life. I also putt every putt, meaning I am taking (and almost always making) every six-inch putt, which most players pick up and refer to as “gimmes.”
If it’s a “gimme,” then make the putt.
All of this is to say my unfortunate 28.2 handicap is as legit as they get.
It takes me too long to get to the green, but once I’m there, I’m good.
WRITING CAREER
10. Complete my eighth novel.
SUCCESS.
My eighth novel — my seventh to be published — is finished and has begun its slow, inexorable journey to bookstore shelves.
Look for it in early 2027.
11. Write, edit, and revise my golf memoir.
FAIL.
My friend, David, is reading the golf memoir. I hope to revise in light of his feedback.
Much work still needs to be done.
However, I wrote a memoir about the summer of 2007, when anonymous individuals attempted to destroy my career, livelihood, and reputation through cowardly, deceitful, and nefarious means.
I wrote the memoir on Substack and attracted thousands of readers along the way — about 180,000 words.
But this doesn’t qualify for this goal, so it’s still a fail.
12. Write my “Advice for Kids” book.
FAIL.
Nearly complete. But still not complete.
13. Write/complete at least three new picture books, including one with a female, non-white protagonist.
SUCCESS
I wrote the rough drafts of three picture books in December, and I have two more ideas ready to go.
Eventually, I’ll amass such a large collection of unpublished picture books that someone will need to take notice.
14. Write about my childhood in partnership with my sister, Kelli, at least once per month.
FAIL
But I spoke to Kelli this week and confirmed that she is ready to begin this project in 2026.
15. Write a new solo show.
SUCCESS
Its title is “Shovel,” and I’m very proud of it.
16. Submit at least three Op-Ed pieces to The New York Times for consideration.
SUCCESS
I edited, expanded, and submitted three pieces originally posted on my blog to the NY Times for consideration in December.
17. Write at least four letters to my father.
SUCCESS
I sent two letters to my father in December, along with photos of the family and a Christmas card.
18. Write 150 letters.
SUCCESS.
A total of 30 letters were written in December to students, former students, colleagues, clients, and authors.
A total of 220 letters have been written in 2025.
19. Write to at least six authors about a book I love.
SUCCESS.
I wrote letters to six authors in December:
Jesse David Fox
Maria Banford
Jonathan Haidt
Will Guidara
George Saunders
Mac Barnett
STORYTELLING/SPEAKING CAREER
20. Launch a new Homework for Life app.
SUCCESS.
You can download Apple’s App Store now!
21. Record and publish at least 25 videos on my YouTube channel.
SUCCESS.
Four videos were posted in December. A total of 43 videos have been posted in 2025.
Big plans for the YouTube channel next year!
I’ve even started earning a profit from the channel. Another income stream!
We’ve also launched my TikTok channel. One of my stories has two million views. Others have hundreds of thousands of views.
Crazy!
22. Perform a new solo show.
SUCCESS.
Two sold-out shows were performed in May.
23. Revise my free Storyworthy Academy.
SUCCESS.
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.
We’ve also just launched a brand new version of our website.
Check it out at storyworthy.com.
24. Record and produce at least three new Storyworthy courses.
SUCCESS.
Two new courses have been completed and have been launched on my new website.
25. Produce a total of six Speak Up storytelling events in 2025.
SUCCESS.
We produced eight shows in 2025:
- January 11 at the Connecticut Museum of History and Culture
- February 7 at District in New Haven
- May 10 at the Connecticut Museum of History and Culture
- June 7 at the Mark Twain House
- June 28 at Hartford Flavor Company
- October 11 at the Connecticut Museum of History and Culture
- November 8 at The Playhouse on Park (Matt & Jeni Are Unprepared)
- November 16 at the West Hartford JCC
26. Submit pitches to at least three upcoming TEDx events, hoping to be accepted by one.
SUCCESS.
I’ll be performing a TEDx event in May of 2026.
27. Attend at least eight Moth events with the intention of telling a story.
SUCCESS.
I attended three Moth events in December — two StorySLAMs and one GrandSLAM championship.
A total of 15 Moth events in 2025.
28. Win at least one Moth StorySLAM.
SUCCESS.
I won my 62nd Moth StorySLAM in March.
I won my 63rd Moth StorySLAM in December.
29. Win a Moth GrandSLAM.
SUCCESS.
I won my tenth Moth GrandSLAM championship in December.
30. Pitch “You’re a Monster, Matthew Dicks” or my new show to six theaters in 2025.
FAIL
My director is pitching “Shovel” to a theater, but that’s it.
31. Produce at least 24 episodes of our podcast, Speak Up Storytelling.
FAIL
32. Perform stand-up at least six times.
FAIL
I’ve performed stand-up three times in 2025.
33. Pitch three stories to This American Life.
SUCCESS.
I pitched three stories in December.
34. Submit at least three pitches to Marc Maron’s WTF podcast.
SUCCESS
Sadly, Marc Maron’s podcast has also come to an end.
35. Send a newsletter to readers at least 50 times.
SUCCESS
Across my two Substacks and my regular newsletters, 32 were sent in December.
Check out my creativity and productivity Substack here
https://substack.com/@matthewdicks
Check out my Substack on an attempt to destroy my teaching career back in 2007 here:
https://anonymousattack.substack.com
I’ve sent 226 newsletters in 2025.
HOME
36. Organize the basement.
FAIL
I still need Elysha to go through the final pile of bins and school supplies before I can declare this job complete.
36. Clear the garage of unwanted items.
SUCCESS
37. Replace our backyard shed.
SUCCESS
38. Refinish the hardwood floors.
SUCCESS
FAMILY/FRIENDS
39. Travel to Europe.
SUCCESS
We decided to travel to Montreal and Quebec City instead of Europe in 2025. I’m counting this as a completed task, since my goal was really to travel abroad with my family.
40. Text or call my brother or sister once per month.
SUCCESS
41. Bring my brother, sister, and me together at least twice in 2025.
FAIL
42. Take at least one photo of my children every day.
SUCCESS
43. Take at least one photo with Elysha and me each week.
FAIL
I took far more photos with Elysha in 2025 but not enough to meet the standard of one per week.
44. Plan a reunion of the Heavy Metal Playhouse.
FAIL.
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.
SUCCESS
46. Surprise Elysha at least 12 times.
SUCCESS
I’ve surprised Elysha four times in December, and an even dozen 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
- Desserts for Elysha and her teammates
- Ukulele care package
- Mocktail subscription
- Teacher supplies
- Flowers were delivered to her school
- I completed chores that are typically her chores
- Mailed a card to her school
- Desserts for Elysha and her teammates
47. Play poker at least six times.
SUCCESS
I played poker twice with Charlie in 2025 — both times on a plane using a video poker game.
I’ve also played dozens of online poker sessions on a legal, sweepstakes-based website.
Sadly, Connecticut also passed a law that made this type of poker illegal.
I also played poker at my friend’s house in December.
48. Spend at least six days with my best friend of more than 30 years.
FAIL
I’ve taken two walks with Bengi in 2025.
MUSIC
49. Memorize the lyrics to at least five favorite songs.
SUCCESS
I’ve memorized the lyrics to:
“The Final Countdown” by Europe
“Abby” by Travis Denning
“Fairytale in New York” by the Pogues
50. Practice the flute at least four times per week.
FAIL
MISCELLANEOUS PROJECTS
51. Host at least three dinner parties where I cook.
FAIL
52. Develop a course on self-confidence.
FAIL
Progress continues. Strategies are being collected, an instructional outline is being developed, and I’m conducting interviews to gather thoughts and ideas.
53. Develop a list of strategies to help people deal with loneliness and produce it in some form.
FAIL
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 write a proposal for it.
54. Read at least 12 books.
SUCCESS
I read one book in December:
“The Waste Lands” by Stephen King (re-read)
I’m currently reading:
“Sicker in the Head” by Judd Apatow
“Walden” by Henry David Thoreau
I’ve read 23 books 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
”Fight” by Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes
“Steal Like an Artist” by Austin Kleon
“The User’s Guide to Storytelling” by Doug O’Brien
“Keep Going” by Austin Kleon
“Show Your Work” by Austin Kleon
“Big Dumb Eyes” by Nate Bartgatze
“Never Flinch” by Stephen King
“Lyrics to Live By” by Mitch Taylor
“The Art of Winning” by Bill Belichick
“The Gunslinger” by Stephen King
“The Drawing of the Three” by Stephen King (re-read)
“This Beautiful Day” by Fred Rogers
“Food: A Love Story” by Jim Gaffigan
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (re-read)
“The Waste Lands” by Stephen King (re-read)
55. Finish reading TIME’s 100 Best Children’s Books of All Time.
FAIL
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.
FAIL
57. Digitize a pile of DVDs that contain dance recitals, plays, and other assorted moments from the past.
SUCCESS
58. Memorize three new poems.
SUCCESS
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
“Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost
59. Post my progress regarding these resolutions on this blog and social media on the first day of every month.
SUCCESS
