As we near the end of 2020, I’ve taken advice from one of my favorite authors and podcast host, Tim Ferriss. Rather than build your New Year’s resolution (I’ve already published mine), he says building a past-year-review is far more effective because it gives you the chance to augment the upcoming year based on positive and negative experiences from the year prior. 

How I’ve interpreted it, you simply remove the tasks that have resulted in negative experiences and do more of the things that resulted in positive experiences. Seems easy enough.

Here is my 2020 year-in-review, starting with positives:

1. We completed our family of four with the birth of our second child, Bowen. This is by far the biggest highlight of 2020 and tops the list of my biggest accomplishments.

2. I lost 30 pounds. It was clear that after having Bowen, I was out of shape mentally and physically so I set a target, created some good habits and went to work. 

3. In a year where many people lost their job, I was graciously able to keep mine and ended the year with a promotion. I don’t take this lightly and realize how fortunate I am to finish 2020 employed. 

Here are the negatives:

1. In 2020, I spent too much time worrying or focusing on small details that don’t matter.

2. I didn’t read enough. In 2021, one of my resolutions is to read/listen to (audiobooks) two books a month and I’m eager to get started. Here’s my favorite book I read in 2020.

3. I spent too much time on devices. While they’re necessary, one of my resolutions in 2021 is to limit my screen time on my personal phone to 1.5 hours per day. Wish me luck.

Here’s to your 2020 past-year-review and making 2021 a year of gratitude and growth.