Every month, I record my progress toward my yearly goals to hold myself accountable and occasionally seek help and advice from readers who are willing to offer insight, ideas, and solutions.
Here are my results from November.
PERSONAL FITNESS/ATHLETICS
1. Don’t die.
After battling a fire in October and suffering smoke inhalation, this month was a piece of cake.
I didn’t even come close to death in November.
2. Lose 10 pounds.
I didn’t lose any weight in November, but I didn’t gain any either.
I weigh the same today as I did on January 1. Somehow, this feels like an accomplishment even though I have done nothing to achieve my goal.
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. The cats have been making the planks very annoying.
6. Cycle for at least five days every week.
I completed 25 rides in November — all indoor.
A total of 232 rides so far this year.
7. Try at least three new vegetables I have never eaten before or do not like.
I ate my first gooseberry back in July, which is not a vegetable.
Otherwise, no progress.
8. Get a DEXA Scan and VO2 Max test at least once in 2025.
Done!
9. Lower my handicap to 19.9.
I played 11 rounds of golf in November, including the last four days in a row, which is pretty great.
November golf is bonus golf.
My handicap increased to 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.
But my short game is excellent. I played three consecutive rounds last weekend — 27 holes in all — without a single 3-putt and a bunch of one-putts.
On Sunday, I had a total of 16 putts for 9 holes, including chipping one in from the rough for par.
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.
Done. The book has begun its slow, inexorable journey to the bookstore shelves.
I’ve also begun work on a new adult novel. My agent has asked me to come up with a new idea for a middle-grade novel to follow the one I just finished.
“You’re a middle-grade writer now, so you need to be writing the next book.”
Who knew?
Does anyone have an idea?
11. Write, edit, and revise my golf memoir.
My friend, David, is reading the golf memoir. I hope to revise based on his feedback.
Also, I’m nearly finished with 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 started writing it on Substack, and 81 days later, I’ve written about 120,000 words and am closing in on the finish.
12. Write my “Advice for Kids” book.
Nearly complete.
13. Write/complete at least three new picture books, including one with a female, non-white protagonist.
I have an excellent children’s book idea that I will begin shortly. I also have two other excellent ideas just this month.
I plan to write rough drafts of all three in December and then revise them in 2026.
14. Write about my childhood in partnership with my sister, Kelli, at least once per month.
No progress.
15. Write a new solo show.
Done!
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.
No letters in November.
Two letters so far this year.
18. Write 150 letters.
Done!
A total of 14 letters were written in November to students, former students, colleagues, and a client.
A total of 190 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.
Done! You can download Apple’s App Store now!
21. Record and publish at least 25 videos on my YouTube channel.
Done!
Four videos were posted in November. A total of 39 videos have been posted in 2025 so far.
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 1.9 million views. Others have hundreds of thousands of views.
Crazy!
22. Perform a new solo show.
Done! Two sold-out shows were performed in May.
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.
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.
Done! 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.
Done! Two shows were produced in November.
We have 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.
Done! 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.
Done!
I attended one Moth StorySLAM in November. I finished in third place.
A total of 12 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.
My first GrandSLAM opportunity happens in December.
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 stand-up in November.
I’ve performed stand-up three times in 2025.
33. Pitch three stories to This American Life.
No progress.
34. Submit at least three pitches to Marc Maron’s WTF podcast.
Done.
Marc Maron’s podcast has also come to an end.
35. Send a newsletter to readers at least 50 times.
Done!
Between my two Substacks and my regular newsletters, a total of 41 newsletters were sent in November.
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 194 newsletters so far in 2025.
HOME
36. Organize the basement.
More progress! I 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.
Done! The garage is officially clean, and all unwanted items have been removed.
37. Replace our backyard shed.
Done! The shed has been installed.
38. Refinish the hardwood floors.
Done.
FAMILY/FRIENDS
39. Travel to Europe.
We’ve decided to travel to Montreal and Quebec City instead of Europe this year.
I’m counting this as a completed task, given my goal was really to travel out of the country with my family.
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.
Done.
43. Take at least one photo with Elysha and me each week.
Done.
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.
One surprise in November. I sent a collection of classroom items to Elysha via interoffice mail. Lots of fun stuff.
I’ve surprised Elysha eight 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
- Desserts for Elysha and her teammates
- Ukulele care package
- Mocktail subscription
- Teacher supplies
47. Play poker at least six times.
Done!
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’m in the black.
Thanks to a new Connecticut law, that once legal site is no longer legal.
How annoying.
48. Spend at least six days with my best friend of more than 30 years.
No time spent together in November.
I’ve taken two walks with Bengi in 2025.
MUSIC
49. Memorize the lyrics to at least five favorite songs.
I’ve memorized the lyrics to “The Final Countdown” and “Abby” by Travis Denning.
I’m working on “Fairytale in New York” by the Pogues — keeping with the Christmas season.
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 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.
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.
Done!
I read four books in November:
“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)
I’m currently reading:
“The Waste Lands” by Stephen King (re-read)
“Sicker in the Head” by Judd Apatow
“Walden” by Henry David Thoreau
I’ve read 22 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
”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)
55. Finish reading TIME’s 100 Best Children’s Books of All Time.
No progress in November.
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.
Done!
58. Memorize three new poems.
Done!
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.
Done.
