Taking a look back at the last 365 days to chart a new path forward in 2026. How to perform your own annual personal review to unlock massive growth.

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Every December I sit down and conduct a little audit of the year that was in what we call a personal annual review.

It’s a valuable exercise that I picked up from author James Clear and it helps me:

• celebrate my wins;
• learn from my mistakes;
• grow as a person;
• and chart a path forward for the next 365 days.

To keep it super simple, sit down for 20-30 minutes and ask yourself these questions:

• What went well this year?
• What did NOT go well this year?
• What’s your focus for the next 365 days?

Write it all down (or type it up) and keep it handy as a reference guide to hold yourself accountable in 2026.

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What can I celebrate this year (What went well)?

My business.

This was the year I finally found my identity from a career standpoint.

I gave myself the permission to ask bigger and bolder questions of what I want to be when I grow up.

No more worrying about imposter syndrome.

No more fear of failure.

Just put the big boy pants on and see what happens when I take action.

My newsletter made the transition from fully fitness-focused to one about personal growth, productivity and … yeah, a little fitness mixed in, too.

I slowly built the confidence needed to take the plunge as a writer, and build the next phase of my career: The LevelUP Life Community on Substack, where I’ll help you create better systems so you can actually have a life worth living after 40.

My health.

No news is good news here.

At 46 years old, my health is pretty boring. And that’s awesome.

While I was unable to be as consistent as I would’ve liked with my workouts over the Fall because of a crazy loaded start to the school year, I’ve still never missed twice in a row on my training.

My step count remains impressive at 13,000 to 14,000 steps per day.

I also really committed to more mobility practice this year—I’m a huge fan of StrengthSide if you need some inspiration.

My actual strength workouts are still bodyweight focused. They’re still based on the variations of the basic movement patterns (push-ups, pull-ups and squats or lunges).

I’ve truly found a system and style of training that I really enjoy and can see myself practicing for the rest of my life.

The new LevelUP Life Community will have plenty of fitness-focused content and mini-courses, including how to design workouts for yourself using my same minimalist approach.

Hanging with my boys.

As we get older and bogged down in the daily cycle of career, kids and adulting, it becomes increasingly more difficult to carve out time for some of your favorite people outside of the house. Namely your closest buddies.

Every year, I prioritize taking at least one guy’s trip for a weekend of debauchery, ball busting and (usually) football.

This year was no exception.

We all met in Buffalo to watch a cold, but entertaining Bills versus Buccaneers game (my team lost).

I will keep doing this annual trip for as long as we are all physically capable.

It’s so good for mental health to break away and reconnect with your people.

Volunteering.

I started volunteering more at my kids’ elementary school this Fall.

It’s been an interesting experience, but super cool to have a part in some enriching and fulfilling opportunities for my kids from behind the scenes.

I think one of the best ways to break out of a rut is to give back in some capacity and simply getting involved with the PTA is a great way to do just that.

So far, I’ve helped organize a few events, chaperoned, helped host a bake sale and participated as a mystery reader.

Family.

Being able to afford an annual family vacation with my wife and two kids fills me with so much pride (I grew up on food stamps).

This year, we took the kids to an indoor waterpark in the Pocono Mountains, about a 2-3 hour drive from Brooklyn.

There is nothing that makes me happier than seeing my kids have an incredible time just being kids.

We rode down water slides, ate junk food, played in the arcade and just had a blast.

I also enjoyed another summer in what we call Camp Dad.

Both of my kids stay at home with me over the summer break from school. I know that as my kids get older, I’m only going to have a few of these left … and I’m really having fun with the annual experience.

What did not go so well this year?

The Fall Semester.

I underestimated just how much goes on during the Fall months with two kids in elementary school.

It’s really cool to have a school that is so inclusive and invites the parents into their worlds to participate.

But the flipside of that is my wife and I were worn down by an onslaught of activities, events and parental participation.

Not to mention the many school holidays that led to the kids being home with me.

I want to better prepare myself mentally for this time period next year.

I’ll need to map out my year a bit better for how I ebb and flow with my business versus the busyness of the school year in 2026 so I don’t lose my marbles before Halloween.

Waiting to start.

I didn’t take my own advice.

I was so wrapped up in trying to figure out how to make my transition to writing full time that I was reluctant to launch into it, and dragged my feet.

The best way to learn and grow is to simply … start. Before you think you’re ready.

This goes for everything from business to fitness.

“But won’t I make mistakes?”

“It won’t be perfect.”

“This isn’t the best time for me to start.”

That’s kinda the whole freaking point.

There’s never a good time to start. So start anyway.

You’ll never be perfect. Mistakes are inevitable no matter what level or amount of experience you have. So start anyway.

What’s my focus for 2026?

The new LevelUP Life Substack Community will be launching to start the year, so that’s my big focus to kick off 2026.

And I’m so excited to suck.

Yes, you read that right.

I’ve been around long enough to know that it won’t be all sunshine and roses. Mistakes will be made.

And I’m okay with that.

Because I know it is through the mistakes that I’ll learn and improve and grow.

Despite what we see on social media, transformations do not happen overnight.

So I’m giving myself enough runway to make those mistakes.

I know this new project will take time.

And I’m going to keep showing up for myself until I get it right.

My return to marketing.

I’ve grown social media accounts to over 150,000 followers.

In my corporate marketing days, I worked with major brands like Guinness, MasterCard and Wounded Warrior Project.

As an event and project manager, I led the coordination of the Veterans Day Parade here in New York City.

But I burned out from that industry and abandoned it altogether when I pivoted away to fitness about a decade ago.

I’m proud to be jumping back into the arena with some side work in 2026 to help another nonprofit grow. It’ll be a fun, engaging and rewarding challenge.

I’ll share more about it in the new year (over in that new Substack community when we launch).

Becoming a professional writer.

For too long I wanted to write. But I never fully stepped into that role for myself out of imposter syndrome.

I never thought I was good enough.

That ends now.

I’m finally going to bet on myself and embrace a path that I set out for myself almost a decade ago (but was far too scared to take action on).

I’m honored and super pumped to have you along for the ride.

Here’s to an absolutely amazing 2026

The past year was one of growth. It was challenging.

We were all forced into a stressful, chaotic and hellish timeline.

Let’s do our best to turn the page where we can. We can wriggle back some control of our time, our energy, our peace.

If 2025 was a challenging year for you, start now to design your comeback story by reviewing what worked and what didn’t.

And then fight like fucking hell to start figuring out a better way forward.

I’m rooting for you.

Happy holidays and a very happy new year.

I hope you found this useful. If so, I’d appreciate it if you sent this newsletter to one person you think would benefit from my writing today.

And if you’re new here and enjoyed this newsletter, I’d be honored if you subscribed for more at this link.

And as always, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

I answer all of my emails at pete [at] petecataldo [.] com … Hit me up with the subject line “personal review” and I’ll answer any questions you have to make this work for you.

Until next time,
Pete