Back at the start of this year I wrote out my plans for 2021. I summarized my plans into five takeaways. Today I want to look back and see how I did in 2021 relative to the plans I laid out a year ago.
1. Professional Plan: Do the Hardest Thing First, Manage My Time, Build Processes
I had one professional plan for 2021 which was: “As COO, I plan to do the hardest thing first, manage my time, and build processes rather than just complete tasks.“
So how did I do? Well, this is entirely subjective but off the cuff I’d give myself an 80%.
In general, I did dig in on the most challenging tasks, I managed my time reasonably well, and I did build processes rather than complete tasks. Of the three, this latter point I was the most effective at implementing. Time management is an ongoing project, but overall I did ok in 2021.
2. Run a Trail Marathon in April and Trail 50k in November
I would grade my progress on this plan as an 80%: “I plan to gradually increase my running routine with the goal of being prepared to run a trail marathon in April and a trail 50k in November.” I did run a trail marathon in April and a trail 50k in November, but I injured myself during the trail 50k which suggests that perhaps I didn’t quite hit the mark on the “being prepared” element of this plan.
3. Minimize News Consumption and Use of Social Media
Fail. Complete fail.
What I should really do is delete my personal social media accounts and hire a VA to manage my professional social media accounts. I think once I repeat that out loud a dozen times or so I’ll work up the intestinal fortitude to actually do it.
I also need to stop checking the headlines. I check them way too frequently.
4. Focus on a Few Key Projects Around the House
While I made some good progress around the house, I didn’t accomplish some of the specific projects I had identified in last years year-end post:
- Get the remainder of the yard under control: I made some progress, but it’s not completely under control.
- Get all of the trim on the house repainted: Didn’t happen. Needs to happen. I did redo a half dozen problem areas, so I did address the most pressing issue.
- Install a sump pump in the crawl space: This didn’t happen, but I also no longer think it’s necessary. The drainage issues I corrected in the front yard appear to have completely resolved the flooding issue I had.
- Install a second washer/dryer set in the basement: I didn’t personally install the hookups, but I did hire a contractor to come in an install hookups. I now do all my own laundry in the basement each weekend.
The house is in good shape overall. We did also decide to go ahead with installing a pool this year and we’re getting really close to having that project wrapped up.
5. Be Present for My Kids and Wife
I’m very happy to say that I did pretty well on this plan. I wasn’t perfect. There were times I was distracted, stressed, or too busy, but overall, I did a good job of setting aside time for my family.
Summing Up
If you’ve been keeping score, stop it. That’s not the point. 
The point is just to look back, think about what went well, what could have done better, and what needs to be better in 2022.