Resolution update: January 2016
/PERSONAL HEALTH
1. Don’t die.
I lowered my cholesterol by almost 40 points. I'm going to live forever.
2. Lose 20 pounds.
Four pounds down. 16 pounds to go. Good start.
3. Do at least 100 push-ups and 100 sit-ups five days a week.
Done, even though I'm in physical therapy for a rotator cuff, which makes the push ups incredibly painful.
4. Practice yoga at least three days a week.
I can't return to yoga until my physical therapy is finished.
WRITING CAREER
5. Complete my fifth novel before the end of February.
Work proceeds. The due date is February 28, so I don't have a choice but to finish.
6. Complete my sixth novel.
I have two novels that are more than halfway finished and one that is finished but requires a re-write. One of these will likely become my sixth novel.
7. Write a middle grade novel.
No progress yet.
8. Write at least three new picture books.
No progress yet.
9. Complete a book proposal for a book on storytelling.
The book is outlined, and most of the proposal is written. I need to write two sample chapters to complete the proposal. Work on this will begin once the novel is complete.
10. Write a new screenplay
No progress yet.
11. Write a musical for a summer camp
I'm in the process of outlining the musical so my partner can begin work on the songs,
12. Publish at least one Op-Ed in The New York Times.
No progress yet.
13. Publish an article in an educational journal.
No progress yet.
14. Submit one or more short stories to at least three publishing outlets.
No progress yet.
15. Select three behaviors that I am opposed to and adopt them for one week, then write about my experiences on the blog.
Last year I began this goal by backing into parking spots (which strikes me as insane) and then failed to write about it. I will repeat this behavior in February and finally write about it.
16. Increase my author newsletter subscriber base to 1,000.
I gained ten subscribers. My total stands at 922.
Have you subscribed? If not, please do so below.
17. Collaborate with a former colleague on an educational book.
No progress until the novel is complete.
STORYTELLING
18. Produce a total of 12 Speak Up storytelling events.
We produced one show at Infinity Music Hall in Hartford, CT in January. It was fantastic. More than 500 people in the audience, including the standing room only section.
19. Deliver a TED Talk.
Done!
I wish that SquareSpace would provide users with the strike-through feature. It feels so good to cross things out, even if it's done digitally.
I spoke at TEDxNatick in January on the topic: Live Your Life Like Your 100 Year-Old Self.
As soon as the video is posted, I will be sure to share it.
I've also been asked to speak at another TEDx conference in April.
20. Attend at least 15 Moth events with the intention of telling a story.
I attended 0 Moth events in January. Unusual for me but a busy month.
21. Win at least three Moth StorySLAMs.
I did not compete in January.
22. Win a Moth GrandSLAM.
I will be competing in a GrandSLAM at the end of February.
23. Launch at least one new podcast.
I've chosen the next podcast and determined the format. It will not be launched until after the novel is complete.
24. Launch a storytelling project that I will otherwise remain vague about here but will become a primary focus of 2016.
Work does not begin on this project until the novel is complete.
NEW PROJECTS
25. Host at least one Shakespeare Circle.
No progress.
26. Learn to cook three good meals for my wife.
No progress.
27. Plan a 25 year reunion of the Heavy Metal Playhouse.
No progress.
MISCELLANEOUS
28. Replace the 12 ancient, energy-inefficient windows in our home with new windows that will keep the cold out and actually open in the warmer months.
No progress. The uncommonly warm winter has been nice, though.
29. Optimize our television for a streaming service.
Likely a summer project.
30. Set a new personal best in golf.
No golf was played in January for obvious reasons.
31. Play poker at least six times in 2016.
I did not play poker in January. I have a game of poker scheduled in April with friends.
32. Do not speak negatively about another person's physical appearance except when done in jest with my closest friends.
Done. January was free of negative speech about another person's physical appearance (except when made in jest to a close friend).
33. Post my progress in terms of these resolutions on this blog on the first day of every month.
Done.