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 January.
PERSONAL FITNESS/ATHLETICS
1. Don’t die.
Didn’t even come close to death in January.
2. Lose 10 pounds.
I gained a pound. Good job, Matt.
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 22 rides in January — a lower-than-usual number for me. Travel to Florida and a week of consecutive evenings in New York City, Boston, and New Haven kept me off the bike as much as I’d like.
7. Try at least three new vegetables I have never eaten before or do not like.
No progress. I don’t even know what vegetables to try that I’ve never tried before.
8. Get a DEXA Scan and VO2 Max test at least once in 2025.
Local facility identified. Appointment will likely happen in the summer.
9. Lower my handicap to 19.9.
I played one reasonable round of gold while in Florida and two atrocious rounds. It was like I forgot how to play.
I have a new coach, and I will work hard this winter to improve so that I am ready to return to the golf course once the ground thaws.
WRITING CAREER
10. Complete my eighth novel.
No progress.
11. Write, edit, and revise my golf memoir.
No progress.
12. Write my “Advice for Kids” book.
I’ve added quite a bit to this book, including new student recommendations, new thoughts of my own, and an actual list and letter written by former students.
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.
Working has begun in earnest.
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 progress.
18. Write 150 letters.
A total of 38 letters were written in January to students, former students, clients, the chef of a local restaurant, the server in a local restaurant, storytellers, and others.
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.
Excellent progress, thanks largely to my digital wizard partner in this project. I look forward to announcing a beta version of the product soon.
21. Record and publish at least 25 videos to my YouTube channel.
No progress.
22. Perform a new solo show.
Dates have been locked in: May 4 and 5 at TheaterWorks in Hartford.
Save the date!
23. Revise my free Storyworthy Academy.
It’s nearly complete. We need to add a video or two, but I’m happy to report that the free Storyworthy Academy, as it exists online today, is excellent.
24. Record and produce at least three new Storyworthy courses.
We are deciding upon topics now and will begin recording shortly.
25. Produce a total of six Speak Up storytelling events in 2023
Elysha and I produced a sold-out show on January 11 at the Connecticut Museum for History and Culture.
We have another show scheduled for 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 January. Although I couldn’t take the stage, two of my friends and students did, and they told the two best stories of the night.
28. Win at least one Moth StorySLAM.
No progress.
29. Win a Moth GrandSLAM.
No progress.
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.
I performed stand-up at an open mic at The Elbow Room in West Hartford, CT. It went well.
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.
Eight newsletters were sent in January — to both my Storyworthy and Speak Up communities.
HOME
36. Organize the basement.
A smidgen of progress. Some additional items have been thrown away.
36. Clear the garage of unwanted items.
Negative progress was made as my family managed to add items to the garage that don’t belong.
37. Replace our backyard shed.
No progress.
38. Get the hardwood floors refinished.
No progress.
FAMILY/FRIENDS
39. Travel to Europe.
Waiting on possible tour dates to Australia and Portugal before we finalize European dates.
We’re also traveling to Florida this month and Canada in April, so we must finalize those vacations first.
40. Text or call my brother or sister once per month.
Done. The texts were short and pathetic, but they happened!
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 have photos from two of the four weeks, but thanks to hiring a photographer for the surprise party, I have more than four photos of us together.
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. Piece of cake.
46. Surprise Elysha at least 12 times.
I hosted a surprise birthday party for Elysha on January 4. It will likely be the biggest surprise of the year.
47. Play poker at least six times.
No progress.
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. I’m an idiot.
MISCELLANEOUS PROJECTS
51. Host at least three dinner parties where I cook.
No progress.
52. Develop a course on self-confidence.
Excellent progress. 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.
Excellent progress. I am collecting strategies and talking to many people about their possible efficacy and any additional ideas.
54. Read at least 12 books.
I read four books in January:
“Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara
“Schtick to Business” by Pete McGraw
”The Humor Code” by Pete McGraw
“Catching the Big Fish” by David Lynch
I’m currently reading:
”Miracle and Wonder” by Bruce Headlam and Malcolm Gladwell
“Simply Said” by Jay Sullivan
55. Finish reading TIME’s 100 Best Children’s Books of All Time.
Progress! I read five books in January, bringing my total to 44 total books read off the list.
56. Edit our wedding footage into a movie of the day.
”Miracle and Wonder” by Bruce Headlam and Malcolm Gladwell
57. Digitize a pile of DVDs that contain dance recitals, plays, and other assorted moments from the past.
I’ve assembled the material. It is sitting in an annoying pile on my desk.
58. Memorize three new poems.
I have memorized (and can sign) “This is Just to Say” by William Carlos Williams.
59. Post my progress regarding these resolutions on this blog and social media on the first day of every month.
Done.
