2019 Annual Review: Achievements, Challenges, Lessons

Yet another year has drawn to a close. This overview captures the highlights of 2019, a period that stands out as one of the most tumultuous and eventful years in my personal journey.Consistent with past practices, this yearly reflection addresses three fundamental questions.Which aspects of the yea

Yet another year has drawn to a close. This overview captures the highlights of 2019, a period that stands out as one of the most tumultuous and eventful years in my personal journey.

Consistent with past practices, this yearly reflection addresses three fundamental questions.

1. Which aspects of the year exceeded expectations?
2. Where did shortcomings emerge?
3. What key insights were gained?

It's important to emphasize upfront that this annual review represents a deeply personal exercise. What follows is merely a summary of my own experiences throughout the year, rather than prescriptive guidance for others. Nevertheless, feel free to adopt this framework for conducting your own end-of-year assessment if it resonates with you.

1. Which aspects of the year exceeded expectations?

There were numerous milestones worth celebrating during this period.

Book performance. Atomic Habits made its debut in October 2018, positioning 2019 as the inaugural complete year of availability on the market. Entering the year with ambitious goals, it's safe to assert that the book's commercial success has surpassed even my most optimistic projections.

By the end of December 2019, the achievements included:

• More than 1.3 million copies distributed globally
• Twelve straight months featured on the New York Times bestseller list
• A 4.8 out of 5-star rating on Amazon, backed by over 1,800 customer reviews
• A 4.8 out of 5-star rating on Audible, supported by more than 25,000 user ratings
• Appearances on over 15 national television programs across the United States, Canada, and Australia
• Translations into more than 40 languages worldwide

This journey has been nothing short of exhilarating, to put it mildly.

Undoubtedly, the most fulfilling aspect has been the feedback from readers. Almost daily, individuals share stories of how Atomic Habits facilitated meaningful transformations—whether shedding excess weight, launching a venture, or implementing lasting positive shifts. Witnessing the tangible impact of these concepts on people's lives is profoundly rewarding and reinforces the value of creating content that truly matters.

3-2-1 Newsletter. One of the fresh initiatives for 2019 involved rolling out the 3-2-1 newsletter, a weekly dispatch featuring three original ideas, two insightful quotes from others, and one thought-provoking question. Earlier in the year, maintaining a steady writing rhythm proved challenging (a topic explored further below), so this streamlined format provided a sustainable option amid a packed schedule. Occasionally, it's necessary to apply my own principles by simplifying habits to ensure adherence.

At the outset, I couldn't have foreseen its success, but it has proven to be a smart move. Producing fresh material weekly brings a sense of accomplishment, and subscriber reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. Countless readers mention that it's the sole newsletter they prioritize reading immediately upon arrival.

Audience expansion. Although new articles were scarce this year, the momentum from Atomic Habits and the 3-2-1 newsletter fueled robust growth in my overall reach.

A breakdown of the year's metrics reveals:

• Just 5 new articles released (the lowest number to date; more on this shortly)
• 353,970 additional email subscribers gained in 2019
• A total of 586,638 email subscribers by December 31, 2019
• 10,848,250 unique visitors throughout 2019
• 47,308,712 cumulative visitors since the site's inception on November 12, 2012

Even with several years of experience, the vast potential of online platforms continues to astonish me. I'm deeply appreciative of the chance to connect with such a wide audience through my work.

Twitter and Instagram presence. For quite some time, social media wasn't a priority, but the digital landscape has shifted significantly over the past five years, elevating its relevance. 2019 marked the first year of dedicated focus on Twitter and Instagram, yielding impressive results as my following doubled on each. You're welcome to connect and follow along on Twitter and Instagram.

Extensive travel. No year has demanded more travel from me, and it's likely to remain the peak in terms of intensity. I accumulated 158 nights away from home, equating to 43% of the year spent sleeping elsewhere. This relentless schedule is one I anticipate—and hope—not to replicate moving forward.

To detail the scope:

18 U.S. states visited (no new ones): Arizona, California (five visits!), Colorado (twice), Florida (twice), Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois (twice), Indiana (three times), Maryland, Nebraska (twice), Nevada, New York (five visits!), Ohio, Pennsylvania (three times), Tennessee (twice), Texas (twice), Utah, and Virginia.

14 countries explored (seven newcomers): 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, the volume of flights and associated environmental impact weighed on my conscience. To mitigate this, I opted for carbon offsets covering not just air travel but achieving full carbon neutrality for the entire year. I sourced mine via Project Wren, and the cost was surprisingly reasonable.

Discovering new dining spots. When venturing to unfamiliar cities, I often solicit restaurant tips via Twitter. The recommendations poured in this year, leading to exceptional culinary experiences courtesy of reader input.

In gratitude, here are some standout favorites (listed without preference):

• Los Angeles, CA — fundamental LA
• Denver, CO — Mercantile Provisions
• Honolulu, HI — Marukame Udon
• New York, NY — Manhatta (standout meal of the year)
• Philadelphia, PA — Zahav (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

Public speaking engagements. In 2019, I presented 31 compensated keynote addresses, shattering previous annual records by a wide margin. This surge is undeniably linked to Atomic Habits' popularity, though I've also honed my oratory abilities. A primary realization: years of writing on a subject, culminating in a meticulously organized book, dramatically simplifies delivering a one-hour talk on it. If you're interested in having me speak at your organization or gathering, you can submit an inquiry.

2. Where did shortcomings emerge?

Amid the triumphs of 2019, there were undeniable struggles tied to rapid expansion.

Writing output. Historically, my enterprise thrived on reliable writing cadence. From 2012 to 2015, fresh articles appeared every Monday and Thursday. Between 2016 and 2018, efforts centered on crafting Atomic Habits. Those six years were dominated by writing endeavors.

Then came 2019, with the book achieving widespread acclaim. Focus pivoted to promotional activities: media appearances, lectures, signings. All invaluable, yet they left scant room for original writing. In truth, my Twitter output likely exceeded new article word counts last year.

Fortunately, momentum shifted in the latter half with the 3-2-1 newsletter's inception. The landscape for 2020 remains to be seen, but any future book will demand deliberate time allocation for writing.

Weightlifting consistency. Every pursuit involves compromises. Sustaining gym routines proves arduous with nearly half the year on the move. In 2019, I managed 91 sessions, averaging 7.6 monthly—progress over zero, but a sharp decline from prior years.

Monthly breakdown for 2019:

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

The pattern is clear: poorest months aligned with heavy international trips (March, June, November). Future strategies must address overseas fitness better.

Due to irregularity, I skipped max attempts, emphasizing reps. Top performances:

• 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 is the second consecutive year without personal records in major lifts. While annual peaks aren't guaranteed, 2020 calls for gym reconnection.

Email management. I once quipped that my replies come in 3 minutes or 3 months—unfortunately, it's accurate. Email handling is a weak point. It wouldn't faze me personally, but it impacts others negatively.

Delayed responses led to repercussions: overlooked chances, frustrations, perceived snubs. Volume overwhelms capacity, and email trails behind core creative work in priority. Yet expectations demand promptness. A revamped email system is essential for 2020.

3. What key insights were gained?

Among the year's pivotal takeaways:

Embrace speed. The value of swift action crystallized recently. Atomic Habits' initial target was March 2019; I advocated advancing it six months to October 2018 to capture holiday momentum. The team rallied, and the launch soared.

Critically, early availability aligned with January resolution fervor, propelling strong sales through fall and winter. By original March date, nearly 500,000 copies sold. Acting versus delaying yielded enormous dividends—procrastination would have squandered those months amid expanding preparations.

Maturity demands patience. For three years, my venture lingered in adolescent awkwardness—mature one moment, clumsy the next.

Perhaps 2019 signaled progress. Tasks abound, as in any business, but stability emerges. Strategies sharpen, products solidify, clarity dawns. After nearly a decade full-time, a viable path forward crystallizes.

A fulfilling life requires curation. Prioritization marked my greatest evolution, demanding stronger boundaries—skill still developing!

Essentially: Eliminate the trivial. Invest deeply in the essential.