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 May.
PERSONAL FITNESS/ATHLETICS
1. Don’t die.
I had my annual physical.
Blood pressure and cholesterol are excellent. My calcium score remains zero, indicating that there is no discernible plaque in my arteries.
I also received my pneumonia vaccine. It made golfing difficult for two days — my arm was incredibly sore — but it will prevent pneumonia from trying to kill me.
2. Lose 10 pounds.
No weight lost in May. 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 25 rides in May. A total of 126 rides so far this year.
Three were outdoors!
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.
Appointments are scheduled in July.
9. Lower my handicap to 19.9.
I played six rounds of golf in May, and my handicap remains at 25.3.
Sadly, I’m playing pretty well. Shooting under 100 but over 90 every time out, which unfortunately equals a handicap of about 25.
I need to get better. Lessons are happening.
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.
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.
I sent my father a birthday card in March.
One letter so far this year.
18. Write 150 letters.
A total of 11 letters were written in May to students, colleagues, and someone kind enough to write me an unexpected and lovely letter.
A total of 91 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 being reviewed by Apple for final approval in the App Store.
21. Record and publish at least 25 videos on my YouTube channel.
Four videos were posted in May. A total of 15 videos have been posted in 2025 so far.
Thanks to my production manager, my YouTube channel is really taking off.
22. Perform a new solo show.
Done! Two sold-out shows were performed in May. New venues are now being sought.
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.
One course completed in May.
Another is nearly complete.
25. Produce a total of six Speak Up storytelling events in 2025.
One show was produced in May at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History.
We have an upcoming show scheduled on June 7 at the Mark Twain House.
The Great Hartford Story Slam is scheduled on June 28 at Hartford Flavor Company.
We have produced three shows in 2025 so far:
- January 11 at the Connecticut Museum for History and Culture
- February 7 at District in New Haven
- May 10 at the Connecticut Museum of History and Culture
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 May. Sadly, my name remained stubbornly in the bag.
A total of five 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 May.
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 May.
I’m also launching a Substack in June.
I’ve sent 31 newsletters so far in 2025.
HOME
36. Organize the basement.
Tons of progress! Bins cleared. Ancient furniture was eliminated. More than half done.
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.
A new shed has been purchased. Permitting is complete. Arrival time is 4-6 weeks.
38. Refinish the hardwood floors.
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.
We may opt to travel to someplace other than Europe this summer.
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 three photos with Elysha and me in May.
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 surprised Elysha three times in May:
- I delivered special desserts to Elysha and her colleagues.
- I gave Elysha a special care package on the eve of ukulele camp, complete with a songbook, chord chart, picks, and a ukulele T-shirt.
- I arranged to have a mocktail kit sent to Elysha every month for the year as a Mother’s Day present.
I’ve surprised Elysha seven 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
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 begun playing poker online again. Small stakes. Two very profitable sessions so far.
Four 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 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.
I read two books in May:
”Fight” by Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes
“Steal Like an Artist” by Austin Kleon
I’ve read 10 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
55. Finish reading TIME’s 100 Best Children’s Books of All Time.
No progress in May.
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
59. Post my progress regarding these resolutions on this blog and social media on the first day of every month.
Done.
