4 min read

My 2019 Review and 2020 Plans

My 2019 Review and 2020 Plans

2019 was a rough year. Let me explain.

Oaxaca, Mexico (February)



You know your Uncle Bob, who got a heart attack at age 58 and he was completely shocked? He kept repeating, “I’m so young, how could this happen to me?” and you just wanted to shake him and yell, “You eat fried chicken for breakfast and you haven’t exercised in 20 years! It’s obvious!”

(Okay, you non-American readers, I get it, you all live balanced lifestyles and your uncle is healthy as a horse. Just stick with me here.)

In this situation, I am Uncle Bob. I spent the first half of the year blaming my unhappiness on everyone and everything around me, failing to notice that I was the source of most of my problems. I was in a dark place with my job, my lifestyle, my appearance, my relationship… you name it.

Lima, Peru (April)


One night I was quora-ing what to do when you are unhappy (worth a try, right?), and one answer stood out. The post said that his friends who like one area of their lives tend to have well-managed lives in all areas. Not only do they enjoy what they do for a living, but they have healthy marriages, well-run homes, great friendships, the list goes on. He went on to say that if you’re not happy with one part of your life, see if it extends to all the other parts. If so, perhaps you are the problem.

Well, I was unhappy everywhere.

British Columbia (June)


I realized that poor habits over many years got me to the sad state I was in. I started seeing a therapist, stopped the nomad life (for now), and I got a home base in Seattle. I also took a long break from any side hustles or related projects, and focused my energies on stability and mental health.

Seattle area (September)



Things have been getting steadily better since coming back to the USA, and I can't even describe how wonderful it is to have my own cozy place to return to whenever I leave. And, strangely enough, I don't plan on much travel at all for 2020, as the stability here in Seattle is making me really happy, and giving me lots of brain space to create new things and just relax for once. Most importantly, I take responsibility for my own issues, and I don’t feel like the Earth is crumbling out from under my feet anymore.

I've spent the last 6 months laying the ground work for a much, much better 2020. Bring it on!

Seattle (November)

2019 In Numbers

Overall

Total Goals: 18
Goals Fully Completed: 7
Avg % Completion of each Goal: 50.36%

Financial:

Saved: 40% of gross income
Net Profit from Side Projects: $103 (all from my Bangkok Street Food cookbook)

Reading:

Books read: 12
Top Topic: Business/People Skills
Best Book: Never Split the Difference


What’s in store for 2020?

In 2020, I want to give myself lots of room to breathe. To recover. To start over on a healthy foundation. So with that in mind, my main goals for 2020 are:

  • Simplify my Life  

It's simple: cut out the stuff that drains me

  • Follow the Magic

Add more people, activities, and career moves that feel magical and right in my core

  • Set a great Routine

Make sure all the healthy things in life are automated so that I don’t have to waste extra time trying to get my shit together, because it’s all on auto pilot

What does this look like?

The Long Version

The Short Version

  • Create 1hr/day for 260 days this year
  • Read 30min/day for 260 days this year
  • Get in great physical shape (weight lift 3x/week, run 3x/week, eat mainly plant-based diet)


And there you have it!

I'm taking it one step at a time and building up as my body and mind gives me the go-ahead. This might not be as 'sexy' as my goals for previous years, but this way I hope to not have much in common with 'Uncle Bob' ever again. 😉