At the beginning of 2017, I set a bunch of goals for myself. I was doing OK halfway through the year, and with just a few days left until 2018, it’s time to see how I did.

Minimalize (now)

COMPLETE

Like I said in my last goals update, this one is done. That said, this one has gotten harder with Finn around. Especially after Christmas. So it’s something I’ll need to remain conscious of, not just for me, but for Finn as well.

I think this will likely become an annual thing for me, and what better time than right after Christmas?

Start a Business (soon)

COMPLETE

Big news: I’m scheduled to close on a duplex in about 1 week from today! While this technically isn’t happening in 2017, I’m marking it as complete. Because even though I don’t own it, I’ve been trying to operate as a small business. Tracking expenses, responding to bank/realtor emails, thinking about taxes, etc. That’s a business right?

I spent more time on this goal than any other. I’ve looked at tons of real estate, crunched the numbers, seen several, made offers. Besides real estate, I also seriously considered becoming a franchisee (I hope to write more about that experience later on). I’ve had countless phone calls with investment partners and advisors.

Long story short: It’s hard to open a business that doesn’t require me to quit my day job. So I’m really happy to end the year with some tangible results here (hopefully)!

Routine Reading (once a month)

COMPLETE

I was off to a bit of a slow start, but at the end, I read or listened to 15 books. OK so one of those is a child’s that I read to Finn. But I read it probably 20 times so I’m counting it.

Goodreads Halfway

Here’s the chronological list: *- Zillow Talk

  • Dad Is Fat
  • Good Dog, Happy Baby
  • Hold
  • Marley and Me
  • David and Goliath
  • Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads
  • The Richest Man in Babylon
  • Food: A Love Story
  • The Art of War
  • Good to Great
  • Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore
  • The Undercover Economist
  • Mr. Mercedes
  • Evicted*

I think the last book I read, Evicted, was my favorite of the year. A Pulitzer prize winner, it’s the story about the private rental market in Milwaukee. There were some shocking statistics, infuriating decisions, and enough to ponder for days. I found it on Bill Gates annual reading list, and I’m so glad I read it.

Take Better Photos (once a week)

FAILED

I signed up for the Dogwood52 Challenge, and I’ve failed miserably. I took 12/52 photos, or 23%.

The funny thing is I’ve probably taken more photos this year than any previous. So am I better at taking photos? Maybe, but only of Finn.

Walk Oliver (once a day)

FAILED

Once it got cold, I stopped walking Oliver everyday. At 20 degrees, it’s too difficult to bring Finn along. Ollie’s best chance is around 7 or 8 pm, when Lauren is putting Finn down for the night. But it’s also usually my first chance to have some me time, which usually involves sitting. No excuses, I blew it for the past several months. Ollie is lucky to get a walk once a week… Sorry doggy.

Conclusion

3/5 goals ain’t bad. I feel pretty good, but I’m not going to dwell on it. I really just wanted to clear my plate and formulate my 2018, coming soon!