2019 Annual Review: Achievements, Challenges, Lessons

What Went Well in 2019?The year 2019 marked the end of another chapter, and it stands out as one of the most tumultuous and eventful periods in my personal and professional journey. This annual review follows the established tradition of addressing three fundamental questions to reflect on the past

What Went Well in 2019?

The year 2019 marked the end of another chapter, and it stands out as one of the most tumultuous and eventful periods in my personal and professional journey. This annual review follows the established tradition of addressing three fundamental questions to reflect on the past twelve months.

1. Which aspects of the year brought success and satisfaction?
2. Where did shortcomings and difficulties arise?
3. What key insights and lessons emerged from these experiences?

It is important to emphasize that this review is a deeply personal reflection. What follows is a summary of my own experiences throughout 2019, offered not as prescriptive guidance for others, but as a transparent look into my year. That being said, feel free to adapt this structure for your own end-of-year evaluations if it proves useful.

There were numerous accomplishments and positive developments worth celebrating during this period.

Exceptional Book Performance

Atomic Habits, released in October 2018, enjoyed its inaugural full calendar year on the market in 2019. Entering the year with ambitious goals, the results far surpassed even my most optimistic projections, creating an exhilarating trajectory for the book's reception and sales.

By the close of December 2019, the milestones included:

More than 1.3 million copies distributed globally across various markets.
A remarkable streak of 12 continuous months on the New York Times bestseller list.
An impressive average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon, backed by over 1,800 customer reviews.
A similar 4.8 out of 5 stars on Audible, supported by more than 25,000 listener ratings.
Appearances on over 15 national television programs spanning the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Translations into more than 40 different languages, broadening its international reach.

This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, filled with unexpected highs and rapid momentum.

Beyond the numbers, the most profound gratification comes from reader feedback. Almost daily, individuals share stories of transformation—how the book assisted them in shedding excess weight, launching entrepreneurial ventures, or implementing meaningful life improvements. Witnessing the tangible impact of these concepts on people's lives reaffirms the value of creating content that genuinely helps others.

Launch of the 3-2-1 Newsletter

A fresh initiative for 2019 was the introduction of the 3-2-1 newsletter, a weekly dispatch featuring three original ideas, two insightful quotes from notable thinkers, and one thought-provoking question for reflection. Earlier in the year, maintaining a steady writing rhythm proved challenging amid a packed schedule—a topic explored later—but this streamlined format provided a sustainable outlet that aligned with my commitments. Occasionally, embracing the principle of scaling habits to fit reality becomes essential, even for someone who teaches it.

At the outset, I underestimated its potential, but it quickly proved to be a smart move. The routine of generating fresh content weekly feels energizing, and subscriber enthusiasm has been overwhelmingly positive. Numerous readers have confided that it is the sole newsletter they prioritize reading immediately upon arrival in their inbox.

Robust Audience Expansion

Despite producing fewer long-form articles than in prior years, the surge in popularity surrounding Atomic Habits, coupled with the steady cadence of the 3-2-1 newsletter, fueled substantial growth in my overall audience reach.

A breakdown of the year's metrics reveals:

Just 5 new articles released, marking the lowest output to date—a point addressed in the challenges section.
An influx of 353,970 new email subscribers throughout 2019.
A cumulative total of 586,638 email subscribers by December 31, 2019.
Precisely 10,848,250 unique visitors to the site during the year.
An astonishing 47,308,712 total visitors since the platform's inception on November 12, 2012.

Even with years of experience in this digital space, the sheer magnitude of online audiences continues to astonish me. I remain deeply appreciative of the platform to disseminate my ideas to such a vast community.

Social Media Momentum on Twitter and Instagram

Historically, social media received minimal focus from me, but recognizing the evolving digital landscape—particularly over the past five years—I committed consistent effort to Twitter and Instagram for the first time in 2019. The investment yielded significant returns, with my follower counts doubling on both platforms. These channels have become vibrant spaces for engagement and connection.

Unprecedented Travel Adventures

No aspect of 2019 rivaled the intensity of my travel schedule, which was undoubtedly the most demanding—and likely the most extensive—of my lifetime. I accumulated 158 nights away from home, equating to 43% of the year spent outside my own bed. This frenetic pace is one I anticipate scaling back from moving forward.

To provide a detailed overview:

18 U.S. states visited (no new ones added): Arizona, California (visited five times), Colorado (twice), Florida (twice), Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois (twice), Indiana (three times), Maryland, Nebraska (twice), Nevada, New York (five times), Ohio, Pennsylvania (three times), Tennessee (twice), Texas (twice), Utah, and Virginia.
14 countries explored (seven of which were first-time visits): Australia (twice), Canada (twice), Croatia, Denmark, Greece, England, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates.

While travel brings immense joy and enrichment, the environmental footprint, particularly from frequent air travel, weighed on my conscience. To mitigate this, I opted for comprehensive carbon offsets covering not just flights but my entire 2019 carbon footprint, achieving full carbon neutrality. The process, facilitated through a service like Project Wren, proved more affordable than anticipated and aligned with responsible practices.

Outstanding Culinary Discoveries

A cherished travel ritual involves soliciting restaurant recommendations via Twitter upon arriving in new destinations. The generosity of readers in 2019 led to an abundance of exceptional dining experiences, for which I am profoundly thankful.

In appreciation, here are some standout favorites, listed without hierarchy:

Los Angeles, CA: fundamental LA
Denver, CO: Mercantile Provisions
Honolulu, HI: Marukame Udon
New York, NY: Manhatta (crowned the top meal of the year)
Philadelphia, PA: Zahav (a close second)
Melbourne, Australia: Chin Chin
Sydney, Australia: NOMAD
Sydney, Australia: Mr. Wong
Toronto, Canada: PAI
Dubrovnik, Croatia: Pantarul
Dubrovnik, Croatia: Taj Mahal
London, England: Nopi
London, England: Dishoom
Athens, Greece: Atitamos
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Village Park Restaurant
Singapore: Artichoke
Singapore: Maxwell Food Court
Madrid, Spain: El Charrua
Madrid, Spain: Ten Con Ten

Peak Speaking Engagements

Professionally, I delivered 31 compensated keynote addresses in 2019, shattering previous personal records for a single year. This surge correlates directly with the triumph of Atomic Habits, though I have also honed my presentation abilities. A pivotal realization: years of deep writing on a subject, culminating in a rigorously structured book, dramatically simplifies distilling those ideas into a compelling one-hour talk.

Challenges and Shortfalls of 2019

Amid the triumphs, 2019 was not without its hurdles and areas requiring improvement, as growth often entails inevitable trade-offs and adjustments.

Decline in Writing Output

For much of my career, consistent article publication formed the bedrock of my work—new pieces every Monday and Thursday from 2012 through 2015, followed by intensive focus on Atomic Habits from 2016 to 2018. Those years were saturated with writing.

However, 2019 brought explosive book success, redirecting my energies toward promotional activities: media interviews, keynote speeches, and book signings. While rewarding, these demands left scant room for original writing. In retrospect, my Twitter output likely exceeded new article word counts.

Mid-year, I pivoted by initiating the 3-2-1 newsletter, restoring some writing momentum. Looking toward 2020, reclaiming dedicated writing time will be crucial, especially if another book project materializes on the horizon.

Inconsistent Weightlifting Routine

Every pursuit carries costs. Sustaining gym discipline amid nearly half the year on the road proved exceptionally difficult. Across 2019, I managed 91 workouts, averaging 7.6 monthly—a respectable baseline, yet a notable decline from prior consistency.

Monthly breakdown:

January: 16 sessions
February: 6
March: 4
April: 8
May: 4
June: 2
July: 12
August: 8
September: 9
October: 15
November: 1
December: 6

Patterns emerge clearly: the poorest months aligned with heavy international travel (March, June, November). Future strategies must prioritize effective workout solutions abroad.

With such variability, I skipped maximal lifts, emphasizing rep-based training. Year-best performances included:

Back Squat: 330 lbs (150 kg) for 5 reps
Bench Press: 245 lbs (111 kg) for 5 reps
Deadlift: 415 lbs (188 kg) for 5 reps

This consecutive year without personal records in major lifts underscores the need for renewed gym focus in 2020, rebuilding toward peak performance.

Struggles with Email Management

Earlier, I quipped about response times fluctuating between 3 minutes and 3 months—a half-joke rooted in reality. Email overwhelms me consistently. While it troubles me less personally, its impact on others—missed connections, frustrations, perceived slights—prompts change.

Delayed replies cost opportunities and strained relationships multiple times in 2019. Balancing volume against priorities like writing remains tricky, yet expectations for prompt replies persist. A revamped email strategy is a 2020 imperative.

Key Lessons Learned in 2019

Reflecting deeply, several profound takeaways crystallized over the year:

The Power of Swift Action

Speed emerged as a critical theme. Atomic Habits' original release targeted March 2019, but I advocated advancing it six months to October 2018 to capture holiday momentum. Despite the scramble, the team delivered a stellar launch.

The payoff amplified: availability in January aligned perfectly with New Year's resolution fervor, propelling strong early sales. By the original March date, nearly 500,000 copies had sold. Delaying would have forfeited those vital months to procrastination and planning creep.

This starkly illustrates how proactive momentum trumps hesitation, yielding outsized results.

Maturing a Business Requires Patience

Over the past three years, my enterprise lingered in an ungainly adolescent phase—alternating mature poise with clumsy missteps. In 2019, signs of maturation appeared. The perpetual task list persists as business norm, but clarity emerges: strategies solidify, products establish roots, and the haze recedes. After nearly a decade as a full-time entrepreneur, a viable path forward at last comes into view.

Crafting a Fulfilling Life Through Ruthless Editing

Prioritization dominated my growth in 2019, demanding mastery of declining non-essential requests—skill I continue refining. The principle distills to: excise the trivial, invest wholly in the vital core.

This concludes the review. Gratitude for your time and engagement. Wishing you a prosperous New Year ahead.