The 50 Things I Did in 180 (+1) Days

The first half of 2017 is over. What the hell did I do?

I tend to be very hard on myself, focusing on what I didn’t do (or what I could have done better) rather than on what I DID do.

So, in honor of Independence Day weekend, I will officially free myself from self-doubt and nit-picking and focus on the things that I did in the first 6 months of the year (181 days, to be exact). I…

1. Moved to Minnesota
2. Survived the winter in Minnesota, including two lung infections
3. Got out of Minnesota as much as possible, including visits to:
   • Arizona (three times)
   • Maryland (three times)
   • New York (three times)
   • Atlantic City (once)
   • Las Vegas (once)
   • New Orleans (once)
   • Orlando (once)
   • East Hampton (twice)
   • Boston (once)
   • Chicago (twice)
4. Worked with an inexperienced CEO and vowed “never again!”
5. Spent Mothers Day with my daughters and granddaughter, which was super-fun
6. Went to two Twins games, a Cubs game, and a Wild game
7. Predicted the Superbowl outcome  (with my psychic partner)
8. Joined a women’s group (Ellevate); met some new smart ladies
9. Went to lots of films, including the big screen versions of Dirty Dancing and the Godfather. Saw many things in the latter I never saw previously. Fruit (especially oranges) plays a big role
10. Saw the English Beat live
11. Boxed and did Pilates again
12. Went to a truly awful pun slam. But I always wanted to go to one, so I can check that off my list
13. Ate at the Olive Garden for the first time. (Please don’t tell anyone…I fancy myself a foodie. And, although I hate to I admit, it was pretty damned good!)
14. Launched three new websites and resurrected one that was sort of suffering
15. Wrote a book and figured out how to sell it on Amazon. (Yeah, I sort of throw that in as if it’s no biggie. It was actually totally exhausting, but wonderful.)
16. Helped organize a tribute to my late brother (Abe).
17. Attended great conferences, including:
    • Nightclub & Bar
    • National Restaurant Association
    • American Camp Association Tri State
    • Collision
    • WistiaFest
    • Street Fight Summit
    • Content to Conversion
    • Marketo
18. Learned a ton about content marketing, blogging, martech, web video, POS systems, and lots of other relevant stuff
19. Baked a lot and invented new recipes for blueberry muffins and chocolate chip loaves
20. Helped three clients with branding
21. Wrote one blog post that generated 2500 leads
22. Started working out like a beast again. (Those Minnesota winters really suck.)
23. Got my hair blonded, de-frizzed, and cut
24. Was pretty good about medical check-ups. Still have to make that dental appointment, however
25. Called my 90 year old mom every week
26. Made some very cool new girlfriends and stayed in touch with the real friends in other places
27. Improved my WordPress skills
28. Started shooting web video (ugh)
29. Spent some great time with Abe’s kids and mentored his daughter
30. Co-wrote several articles for Nightclub & Bar and kept up on my ProfNet pitches
31. Hired two remote interns
32. Started reading novels again
33. Discovered some new TV shows/series (including one I never thought I’d like!)
34. Took my first vacation in three years
35. Got B12 shots every few weeks (which helps my energy and focus)
36. Avoided toxic people
37. Was contacted for a seat on a non-profit board. Very flattering.
38. Got over disappointments and hurts much quicker
39. Improved my sleep habits
40. Became more spiritual and self-reflective (and hopefully kinder)
41. Went to three church services and a sedar. (You hear that, God!) Watched lots of inspirational TV too.
42. Discovered some cool farmers markets
43. Did a juice fast (for most of one day)
44. Walked around three of the 10,000 lakes in MN
45. Tried cheese curds and tots. Feh!
46. Saw the largest frozen pizza selection ever
47. Got a new phone and PC after my old ones died
48. Connected with about 200 new great people on LinkedIn
49. Started going to a chiropractor
50. Wrote this list.  Never thought I’d get to 50!!

In the second half of 2017 I will…

1. Do more to help others (beyond mentoring interns)
2. Keep up my writing
3. Get back on my bike; get fit
4. Get the hell out of MN; look forward/not backward
5. Learn new things
6. Be kind
7. Have fun

The second half is off to an awesome start.

Whether you are on the beach, traveling, or simply chilling and ruminating this weekend, think about your list of what you did in 180 days. You may have 5 things and not 50, but feel proud and move on.

Set off some fireworks and wave that flag high (even if they are just in your head) and march proudly into the second half!