How Am I Doing? Checking In With My 19 for 2019 List

Instead of New Year’s Resolutions, I was inspired by Gretchen Rubin and her sister Elizabeth Craft to make a “19 for 2019” list instead. It’s June and I’ve just pulled out the list to see how I’m doing. 

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Mid-year review of my 19 for 2019:

1. Polish and publish my 40-day devotional called Stepping Stones to God
   It’s on my desk and I’ve polished the introduction but the devotions need more story-telling and less preaching. I continue to be bogged down with this project, but my friend Karen is holding me accountable. ​
2. Visit at least two of my four siblings at their home
   I haven’t done this yet, but I have seen them at other places for family gatherings.
3. Get at least 4 weeks ahead in writing blog content and try to stay ahead
   I did this in January and March but now I’m barely keeping up. However, compared to last year, I have posted at least once a week to my blog and I’ve managed to send out both my Compass Points monthly newsletter and my Faithful Writers Toolkit monthly mailing.  
4. Visit local home-bound friends (a private list)
   I’ve done this but need to do more.
5. Meditate at least 5 days a week
   I’ve done this most weeks and absolutely feel better when I do.
6. Learn more about contemplative prayer (Fr. Richard Rohr and Thomas Merton)
   I’ve read Fr. Richard Rohr’s Book Everything Belongs and am now reading The Armchair Mystic: Easing into Contemplative Prayer by Mark Thibodeaux S.J.
7. Schedule my writing time so it’s more likely to get done
   I have not managed to do this for any length of time, but even without a schedule, I’m writing more.
8. Take J. to a major league baseball park he’s never been to
   I’ve got tickets for us to see the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Field in July. They’re playing the Philadelphia Phillies.
9. Write at least two Noteworthy notes a month
   I’ve written some but got behind. I have kept up with other note writing.
10. Write letters to grandsons once a month and save copies to give them when they’re older
    I was on track until April but need to get back on track.
11. Write letters or send cards to children at least quarterly
    I’ve done this, including to my daughter-in-law and son-in-law.
12. Declutter one room in the house per month
    Have decluttered but not a room at a time.
13. Invite friends for dinner once a month
    Yes, I’ve done this.
14. Create an outline and timeline for writing my book Heartspoken: How To Write Notes That Comfort, Encourage, and Inspire
    I’ve written an outline but not a timeline.
15. Read Aunt Alice and Uncle Wesley’s WWII letters to see if they should be shared
    I haven’t done this.
16. Expand Dad’s “Life Lessons” article into an eBook
    I haven’t done this.
17. Add some video content to my blog
    Yes, I’ve added a monthly video “Heartspoken Moments” to the blog and created a YouTube Channel for them. Please subscribe to my channel so I can get to 100 subscribers. This milestone opens up the ability to customize the URL.
18. Pitch articles to AARP, Forward Day by Day, Sixty & Me
    I haven’t done this but I’ve located and printed out submission instructions for each.
19. Track recurring expenses more carefully by checking bank statement, credit card bill, and PayPal activity
    I’ve been doing this more regularly so there will be fewer surprised when tax time rolls around again.

Definitely, I’ve done better with some than with others, but reviewing them again gives me renewed enthusiasm for continuing what I’ve started and for getting back on track where I’ve gotten behind. I promised myself not to get discouraged. I knew that if I got everything done on my list, it would mean I hadn’t challenged myself enough. I definitely need to revisit the list more than twice a year, though. Quarterly or even monthly would help me get back on track. I’m going to schedule a monthly review for the rest of this year.

Your own mid-year check-in

Emily P. Freeman has a wonderful podcast episode called “A Beginner’s Guide To Self Reflection.” From that link, you can either listen to the episode or download the transcript. It covers her quarterly self-examination, and I’m going to adapt it for my own. 

A mid-year check-in could be a simple as asking yourself these questions:

• What went really well over the last six months (personally, professionally, spiritually, etc.)?
• What didn’t go so well over the last six months?
• What small action or actions can I take to make the next six months more aligned with my values?

Did you make your own “19 for 2019” list (or something similar?) Let me know if I can help hold you accountable for the rest of the year.  

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