PERSONAL FITNESS
1. Don’t die.
My calcium score —a measure of plaque built up in your arteries—was outstanding:
Calcium score of 0 places this patient in the 0th percentile rank.
This means that 99.00 percent of males at this age will have a higher calcium score than this patient. No identifiable plaque.
Very unlikely less than 1% probability of significant coronary artery disease.
10-year cardiac event risk less than 1%.
Annual risk less than 0.11%.
I’m crushing it.
2. Lose 10 pounds.
I lost two pounds in July. I’m now down two pounds for the year.
3. Do a targeted push-up workout at least four times per week.
Done. I did not miss a day in July.
4. Complete 100 sit-ups four times per week.
Done. I did not miss a day in July.
5. Complete three one-minute planks four times a week.
Done. I did not miss a day in July.
6. Cycle for at least five days every week.
Done.
I’ve recorded 215 rides in 214 days in 2024.
7. Meet or beat the USGA’s average golfing handicap for men of 14.2.
My current handicap is 27.3. That is a high number.
But I’ve come to realize something important via research:
The average male golfer’s handicap isn’t really 14.2 because the vast majority of golfers don’t record their scores or keep track of their handicaps, and that group of golfers represents a substantially larger percentage of average golfers who do not play as well.
In other words, golfers who keep track of their handicaps tend to be a minority of better, more serious golfers who are active members at country clubs.
I’ve set a goal that may be unrealistic.
Here’s the good news:
I broke 90 for the first time ever in July. I did it twice.
I really am playing better than ever before.
WRITING CAREER
8. Complete my eighth novel.
I continue to work on the book based on the editor’s feedback. I am making excellent progress.
9. Write my next Storyworthy book.
I still need to meet with my agent and editor to determine the subject of this next book.
I have a great idea, but I suspect they will want a different idea.
That meeting is scheduled for next week.
10. Write, edit, and revise my golf memoir.
I discussed this book with my agent last month and made a plan to proceed.
11. Write my “Advice for Kids” book.
Progress was made in July. This is a book better written while teaching, so I expect better progress at the onset of the school year.
2. Write/complete at least three new picture books, including one with a female, non-white protagonist.
I’m writing children’s books about Connecticut’s infamous October 2011 snowstorm and another about the gypsy moth invasion of New England in 1981. Rough drafts of both are complete. I’ll be reading them to my class in September for feedback.
I have two other ideas that I am also excited about.
13. Write about my childhood in partnership with my sister, Kelli, at least twice per month.
Kelli and I spent a day together in February but forgot to discuss this topic. We still need to discuss.
14. Launch a Substack.
Substack forthcoming. I’m in discussions with folks about how to monetize best.
15. Write a new solo show.
All the work on this project is being done in my head since I’ve never written down anything I ever say onstage, so I don’t have much to show for my work, but I am working hard nonetheless.
16. Write a musical.
No progress.
17. Submit at least three Op-Ed pieces to The New York Times for consideration.
One story is still in progress.
18. Write at least four letters to my father.
One letter written in 2024 so far.
19. Write 150 letters.
I wrote 22 letters in July. Recipients included Clara (while at camp), former students, clients, colleagues, friends, and two authors.
I’ve written a total of 127 letters in 2024.
20. Write to at least six authors about a book I love.
I wrote to authors Andrew Wilkinson and Joe Rocco in July.
Two letters written so far in 2024.
STORYTELLING/SPEAKING CAREER
21. Perform a new solo show.
I had originally planned on performing at TheaterWorks in Hartford in November, but complications may push that back to April of 2025, making this goal difficult to complete.
I am waiting to hear if November is a go.
22. Complete the re-recording of Storyworthy For Business.
Re-recording continues. I’m so happy with the results.
23. Record and produce at least two new Storyworthy courses.
I’ve produced three webinars, which will be sold as separate courses, so I’m declaring this one complete.
We’ll also be carving up the new Storyworthy for Business course into smaller, separate courses, extending this goal considerably.
24. Produce a total of six Speak Up storytelling events in 2024.
I co-produced the Great Hartford Story Slam in July, bringing our total to five events thus far.
They include:
- “Matt and Jeni Are Unprepared” on March 2 at TheaterWorks in Hartford.
- “Sportsing” on March 16 at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History
- “School” on May 3 at Sedgwick Middle School in West Hartford, CT
- Speak Up – CPA Prison Arts show on June 5 at The Pond House in West Hartford, CT
- Great Hartford Story Slam on July 27 at Hartford Flavor Company
We also have the following show scheduled for 2024:
- September 22: Speak Up — Voices of Hope show at the JCC in Hartford
- October 5: Rescheduled “Stores Sell: Storyworthy Strategies to Grow Your Business and Brand” release party at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History
More to come!
25. Submit pitches to at least three upcoming TEDx events, hoping to be accepted by one.
No progress.
I spoke at TEDxBU on April 20. It went very well, and the recording should be online soon.
26. Attend at least eight Moth events with the intention of telling a story.
Done! I attended two Moth StorySLAMs in July— one in Boston and one in NYC.
Eight Moth events so far in 2024.
27. Win at least one Moth StorySLAM.
Done again!
I won the NYC StorySLAM on July 17. My 62nd Moth StorySLAM victory!
I also won:
- Boston StorySLAM on June 25.
- Boston StorySLAM on February 27.
I’ve won three out of four StorySLAMs so far this year.
28. Win a Moth GrandSLAM.
I competed in the Moth GrandSLAM in Boston in March and placed second.
I should’ve won, but I think that a lot.
I’ll be performing in a GrandSLAM in Seattle, NYC, and Washington, DC later this year.
29. Pitch “You’re a Monster, Matthew Dicks” to at least a dozen theaters and/or directors in 2024.
I’ve pitched “You’re a Monster, Matthew Dicks” to two theaters so far in 2024.
I performed the show on March 30 at the Mopco Improv Theater in Schenectady, New York. It went quite well.
30. Produce at least 24 episodes of our podcast Speak Up Storytelling.
No progress.
31. Perform stand-up at least six times.
No progress.
32. Pitch three stories to This American Life.
One story has been pitched thus far.
33. Submit at least three pitches to Marc Maron’s WTF podcast.
No progress.
34. Send a newsletter to readers at least 50 times.
Five newsletters were written in July.
A total of 23 newsletters so far this year.
HOME
35. Organize the basement.
HUGE progress. I’ve sorted through more than a dozen bins, donated many things, and thrown away many things. Elysha has helped this process massively by agreeing to immediately sort through any bin I bring up from the basement.
The goal:
- Organize all bins in the basement in a logical, identifiable order
- Eliminate anything no longer wanted
- Store Elysha’s classroom materials in an organized manner
36. Clear the garage of unwanted items.
Elysha’s long-forgotten classroom detritus is the last pile that must be eliminated. As she prepares a new classroom, I will move this material to her school or the trash bin.
FAMILY/FRIENDS
37. Text or call my brother or sister once per month.
Done.
38. Take at least one photo of my children every day.
Clara was at camp, so although her camp posted photos to the app, she was not featured every day.
Charlie was a camp for a week. Similarly, his Scoutmasters took some photos, but days were missed.
Otherwise done.
39. Take at least one photo with Elysha and me each week.
Three out of four weeks done.
40. Plan a reunion of the Heavy Metal Playhouse.
No progress. But in a strange coincidence, a teacher in our school grew up in Attleboro, where the Heavy Metal Playhouse was located, and she is friends with the person who manages Crystal Village, where it was located.
Given how spread out my friends are today, an in-person reunion is probably impossible, but it gave me a little hope.
41. I will not comment positively or negatively about the physical appearance of any person save my wife and children to reduce the focus on physical appearance in our culture overall.
Done.
42. Surprise Elysha at least 12 times.
Two surprises in July:
- Tickets to “The Outsiders ” on Broadway this month
- A well-timed sweet tea
Also several more surprises planned.
Seven surprises in 2024 so far:
- Tickets to “Little Shop of Horrors” on Broadway
- Tickets to “Merrily We Go Along” on Broadway
- Tickets to “Tommy” on Broadway
- Cheesecake delivered to Elysha and her teammates during an especially challenging day
- A surprise weekend spent in Rhode Island with friends
- Tickets to “The Outsiders ” on Broadway this month
- A well-timed sweet tea
43. Play poker at least six times.
No progress. I’m so dumb.
44. Spend at least six days with my best friend of more than 30 years.
One day spent together in July. A total of three so far.
MUSIC
45. Memorize the lyrics to at least five favorite songs.
Memorized so far:
“Our Wonderful Lives” by Styx
“Come a Little Bit Closer” by Jay and the Young Americans
“Fox on the Run” by Sweet
Charlie and I are attending another Styx concern this month, so perhaps I’ll memorize a new Styx song along with him.
46. Practice the flute at least four times per week.
I did not practice in July. All of my practice was done during the school day, so summer vacation — a time when I should be able to practice more than ever — put an end to my practice.
Which is stupid.
MISCELLANEOUS PROJECTS
47. Read at least 12 books.
I read five books in July, bringing my total to 19 so far in 2024.
”Hello Molly” by Molly Shannon
“The Deerfield Massacre” by John Swanson
”Duma Key” by Stephen King
”Never Enough” by Andrew Wilkinson
“Opposable Thumbs” by Matt Signer
I’m currently reading:
“The Power Broker” by Robert Caro
“Excellent Advice for Living” by Kevin Kelly
”Mediations” by Marcus Aurelius
”Miracle and Wonder” by Bruce Headlam and Malcolm Gladwell
“Nothing But a Good Time” by Tom Beaujour
Books read in 2024 include:
- “Upstream” by Chip Heath
- ”Happy Pepple Are Annoying” by Josh Peck
- ”Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama” by Bob Odenkirk
- “The Power of Regret” by Daniel Pink
- “Fluke” by Brian Klass
- “Misfit” by Gary Gulman
- “How to Weep in Public” by Jacqueline Novak
- “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt
- “The Demon of Unrest” by Erik Larson
- ”You Like It Darker” by Stephen King
- ”A Short Guide to a Happy Life” by Anna Quindlen
- ”How to Say Goodbye” by Wendy McNaughton
- ”We’re All In This Together” by Tom Papa
- ”Smart Brevity” by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz
- ”Hello Molly” by Molly Shannon
- “The Deerfield Massacre” by John Swanson
- ”Duma Key” by Stephen King
- ”Never Enough” by Andrew Wilkinson
- “Opposable Thumbs” by Matt Signer
48. Finish reading TIME’s 100 Best Children’s Books of All Time.
I did not read any of these books in July. I will continue to pursue this goal in September when my school library is available to me.
I may need to find or purchase some of the books on the list that are not in my school’s library.
I’ve read 36 books from the list thus far.
49. Unify my passwords using a password manager.
Done!
50. Learn to use QuickBooks for my business.
Done! Invoicing, payroll, and taxes are now all managed via QuickBooks. It’s much easier than I thought.
51. Rectify the heating problem in my studio.
I received estimates on this project, which is more than expected.
As a temporary measure, I purchased an electric radiator and plugged it into a Bluetooth outlet to turn the heat on before going downstairs, allowing the room to be warm when I entered.
This solution might be better than the thousands of dollars required to install heat, and it might be my permanent solution, depending on the possibility of finishing other parts of the basement.
My friend Chris may have an idea, too, so I’m holding off on declaring this complete.
52. Learn the names of every employee who works at my school.
I learned no names in July since the school year ended.
Starting in September, I will acquire a list of all staff and begin checking off names to faces rather than spotting someone in the hallway and wondering who the person is.
53. Assemble a complete toolbox.
Done! Completed as a part of the basement cleanup.
54. Edit our wedding footage into a movie of the day.
No progress. I’m actually looking forward to this job, but it will require me to learn how to edit videos using a new program.
Thankfully, I employ someone who knows exactly how to do this.
55. Memorize three new poems.
I memorized James Joyce’s “Tree” and Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken.”
I’m still working on Act V Scene 5, lines 18-28 of Macbeth.
56. Complete my Eagle Scout project.
I’ve contacted the people in charge of the cemetery where I want to complete this project, and I’m waiting for them to respond.
I am also concerned that doing so might be a little heartbreaking for me.
57. Post my progress regarding these resolutions on this blog and social media on the first day of every month.
Done.
