If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know that I set resolutions or goals every year and actually strive to meet those resolutions. I’m going to start calling them goals to satisfy the ex-Project Manager in me. So here are the results for 2025’s Goals with a grade for each.

Write, record and distribute 6 songs for public consumption
GRADE: A

I was able to release 3 songs under my own name @chucksturgeonmusic.  And in November I wrote a Christmas Song – Christmas is Special – for a song contest (didn’t win) that triggered me to create an AI country band called Sturgeon Country and release two more songs through that music vehicle.  I have a couple more songs for the country band to put together and a couple of songs of my own to complete in 2026.

Lose weight – a continuous goal – 200 lbs
GRADE: F

An ongoing goal.  Did not accomplish.  Sadly.  I’m still about 35 lbs overweight.  Health-wise, I had my right hip replacement surgery in August and that has allowed me to start walking again without too much pain.  I still have lower back ache when I overdo any physical activity, but it’s great to be walking without a limp and upright.

YouTube goal – 2 videos per month at least on Retirement Channel and 1 video per month on Music channel
Grade: B

January – RAE – 10 Music – 2
February – RAE 3 Music – 0
March – RAE – 4 Music – 1
April – RAE – 6 Music – 2
May – RAE – 6 Music – 8
June – RAE – 2 Music – 0
July RAE – RAE – 0 Music – 0
August – RAE – 7 Music – 0
September – RAE – 3 Music – 1
October – RAE -3 Music – 0
November – RAE-  3 Music – 0
December – RAE – 1 Music – 2

I think I did alright. But the Music Channels did not meet the goal. I always start the year strong, then get tired of creating videos in the summer and then get determined again in the Fall.  December I had a couple of videos planned but my mom had a Stroke and so we were out of town for a whole week so didn’t get ramped back up to get out two more.  I’m not sure I will continue to post YouTube videos regularly.  My hip replacement videos got lots of views and comments, that was nice, but creating videos is a full time job and I don’t want a full time job again.

Blog goal – 2 blog postings per month
GRADE: A-

January – 7 postings
February – 4 postings
March – 4 postings
April – 5 postings
May – 9 postings
June – 2 postings
July – 1 posting
August – 4 postings
September – 7 postings
October – 6 postings
November – 3 postings
December – 3 postings

I did a little better with blog postings because, well it’s easier to write than to create and edit a video.  So I will continue to blog, not stopping that.

Downsize – sell toys, comic books and music equipment
GRADE: B+

Gonna say I did good on this.  I sold 7 pieces of music equipment that I no longer used.  Unfortunately I used those proceeds to buy other music equipment.  Didn’t sell any comic books, didn’t try.  I sold a couple of toys but not nearly enough.  I need to sell more. I did clear out all my old project management and process books. We took them to Half-price books and got pennies on the dollar but 99% of the information in those books is readily available on the internet now.

Goodreads goal – 25 books/ebooks
GRADE: A

I actually raised this goal to 50 books about halfway through the year.  So the goal is 50 books and I read 54 books according to Goodreads, the site I use to track my reading.  I’m already reading two books in January.

Enjoy Retirement
GRADE: B+

I’m enjoying retirement but I give myself this B+ grade only because I am having to manage the finances for my Mom, which is a challenge with a brother (grown adult) that lives with her and spends her money on junk.  He is a hoarder and it’s difficult to control him from 500 miles away.  Also my kids are finding it very difficult to live in the Dallas Metroplex.  With the incoming flux of Californians (mostly) and other folks, owning a house will never happen for my kids in this area do to the price increases. And rent has gone up as well.  They barely live paycheck to paycheck, so I help where I can.

Happy 2026, check my 2026 New Years Goals posting for what I plan to accomplish in 2026.