Each year, I try to take a moment to reflect on the year before and set forth with intention about the year to come. This year, I have to be honest that after 10+ years in a row, I never actually published the second part outlining what I was hoping for in 2021. That in itself feels mildly to blame for a directionless year more than covid.
By any standard, it was a success. We are healthy. We spent a ton of time with our friends and family. We have plenty of help making our busy lives less hectic. Business remained good and the LG team continues to crush. I should be full up with gratitude and contentment. But honestly, the year was tough. Or more specifically, it felt thick. Heavy on the malaise.
Looking back, the last year feels a bit like crossing a river through hip-deep water, expecting that you’ll reach the other side where the steps will get easier, faster, more stable. Everyone will get to the other bank, and we’ll start hiking forward. But the other side never comes. You just get slightly better at walking on slippery fucking rocks.
For a year. Then two. Now three?
Another year of survive rather than thrive. In his Ted talk, Adam Grant describes this all as languishing. I think he is on to something.
Nonetheless. While I never published 2021 Part 2, I did find my notes which outlined my goals (at least in draft). I’m amazed at all the wins we had in 2021, despite said feeling of languishing.
Wait, I flew on a plane! Twice. Raced in two states. Bought a boat. Played in the snow. Ate some amazing food. Went to the beach. Played with my dog. Frolicked with my wife. Worked some. Played more. Took a road trip. Remodeled a kitchen.
Fitness:
- Expedition-Length Adventure Race – Covid fail. We’d optimistically signed up for Itera Scotland, which was set to be the biggest of my life. It got canceled. We settled for a kickass 30 hour. Which was awesome, but not quite 5 days in the Scottish highlands.
- Injury Free – Win. I made it through a good amount of training without much pain.
- Paddle-Board for Distance – Win. I managed to paddle a bunch this spring and summer. Including a multi-day trip.
Travel:
- Family Trip – Win. We had a great friends/kids trip to the beach this spring. It was hectic, but it was a blast.
- Visit 10 NYS Parks – 8/10 (Letchworth, Hamlin, WG, Taughannock, Seneca Lake, Alleghany, Ft. Niagara, ADK’s)
- Paddle Trip – Win. (3 days on the Suwannee river. Would recommend)
Business:
- LooseGrip Team in the same place – Win. Well most of us at least.
- Offload Accounting – Win. I managed to offload nearly all bookkeeping and invoicing. Finally.
- Revenue up 20% – Fail. +9% Meh.
Life:
- 3 Weeks at the Lake- Win. We got a good amount of it this year and were lucky to host a bunch of our friends.
- Get Some Help – Win. We’ve managed to find some awesome babysitters. It is a huge relief to get a few hours kid-free when Laura’s schedule is crazy.
- Automate House Stuff – Fail. Still failing hard on streamlining all the home automation crap.
About my annual review: For the last 10 or so years, I’ve tried to look back at the year before and see how it stacks up, while also setting goals for the year to come. I find the exercise invaluable as a mechanism to be inspired to do more cool stuff. The categories Life, Fitness, Business & Travel work best for me, but if you’d like to do your own I recommend checking out my buddy Chris’ Template to get started.