Review your “21 for 2021” List Now That We’ve Reached the Midpoint of 2021.

For the last several years, on the Happier with Gretchen Rubin podcast, we've talked about why we make an annual list, tied to the year, of all the things we'd like to get done during that year.

In episode 149, we talked about our "18 for 2018" lists; in episode 203, "19 for 2019" lists; in episode 255, “20 for 2020” lists. Most recently, in episode 307, we revealed our "21 for 2021" lists. 

Research shows that making a concrete, specific list, and referring back to it, really does help people achieve their aims. And for many people, this approach seems more fun than make traditional new year's resolutions.

Now that 2021 is about half-way finished, it's time to review our "21 for '21" lists.

Gretchen's "21 for '21":

Make a list of friends and colleagues I want to connect with by phone or Zoom - STARTED BUT NEED TO UPDATEMake two plans a week to connect with the people on that list - SORT OF
Figure out the light-bulb question - SO CONFUSING THAT I STARTED THEN STALLED
Have a scent party
Have a taste partyTry cryotherapy - WAITING FOR THE WEATHER TO GET HOT
Make an Album of Now - UNDERWAY
Get my Real I.D. (Good news: the Department of Homeland Security extended the deadline to May 3, 2023)Practice my driving (as I wrote about in Happier at Home , I'm a fearful driver) - UNDERWAYRead a Summer of Virginia Woolf - UNDERWAYMake an appointment to help me make better outfits from my own clothesDo 30 minutes of "review" each work dayAdd photos to my address book - UNDERWAYWatch Mad Men - DONE (listen to our bonus episode recap of the series)Look at old photo albums and home videos with my familyReview my giant “happiness” catch-all documentPlay around with well-being appsGet our big red chair recovered - DONEDeal with my sent/trash folders - DONEShine a spotlight on work I admire; amplify the work of others - UNDERWAYAdd one new item!

Elizabeth's "21 for '21":

Get the vaccine - DONE
Get a Real I.D.Celebrate her friend Mike’s 50th birthday with friends - UNDERWAYGet FraxelSell two TV pitches - SOLD ONE
Eat lots of vegetables, and to help with that, avoid using Postmates at night during the week - SORT OF
Do another “sober month” - DONE
Get through her giant book pile for #Read21in21 (if you want a don't-break-the-chain sheet for #Read21in21, it's here) - UNDERWAYGet a will
Educate herself about investing in propertyDo a Happier in Hollywood meet-up (post-vaccine)Walk to Malibu - UNDERWAYContinue #Walk20in20 (if you want a don't-break-the-chain sheet for #Walk20in21, it's here)Weigh herself daily - STOPPED IN PUERTO RICOUse her Waterpic at least three times a week - DITTO
Create a fiction podcastTrust her gut, especially at work - COULD BE BETTER
Go to DisneylandVisit Miraval for a friend’s birthdayTake Jack boogie-boarding at least 5 timesIn making hiring decisions for Fantasy Island , put her actions behind her intent to provide opportunities for all - DONE

Bottom line: both Elizabeth and I have many items that remain to be checked off!

I find it very useful to review the list. I keep it posted on the bulletin board next to my desk, but it's easy to let my gaze slide over it, without getting reminded of what I want to accomplish.

When I remember all the things I want to get done, I feel inspired to add new tasks into my daily routine. After all, all the items on my list are things that will make me happier.

Anything is useful that prompts us to reflect on our lives, and what we want, and what changes we might undertake to make ourselves happier, healthier, more productive, or more creative. That prompt could be a date (like January 1 or a birthday), an event (like a medical diagnosis or a job change), or a new idea (like an idea from a book or someone's comment).

Along the same lines, I choose a one-word theme each year. It's another way to push myself to reflect and act. And like the "21 for 21 list," it somehow feels more creative and fun than the traditional New Year's resolution (which I also enjoy).

Did you make a "21 for '21" list? Have you made much progress? We still have a lot of time left, before the year comes to an end.

If you'd like a sheet on which to record your "21 for '21" list, you can download a free PDF here.