New Year's Resolutions (Revelations?)

I used to dismiss the idea of New Year’s Resolutions as a waste of time. It wasn’t that I didn’t think I needed to work on stuff; I’ve always been virtually awash in stuff that needed improvement. In hindsight, it may have just been youth – I haven’t been a “youth” in a long time.

About 15 years ago I decided that a New Year’s Resolution was in order. You hear a lot around the holidays of the Red Cross’ need for blood, so I decided to become a blood donor. I figured the 4-5 times per year of doing something good would offset my “bad hair days” (you know I don’t have any hair, right?). Each year since, I’ve just renewed that one and thought that was pretty good.

Until this year.

This year as the end of 2011 got closer, I started thinking about a really good resolution – I’m not ready to give up beer and cigars, so that’s not up for debate (yet). As I thought about it, I wanted it to be something meaningful – something that wouldn’t just make me a better person, but would actually benefit those unfortunate souls around me too.

As I thought about the last year, it seemed to me I’d gotten less tolerant than I used to be (or thought I used to be). I don’t know how those close to me feel about it, but I felt generally more small-minded than I’d like to be. Maybe it’s really just impatience, but resolving to be more tolerant overall seems like a pretty good thing for me to strive for. It might also stave off my becoming a curmudgeon before I’m really due.

To understand the challenge of this for me, you have to realize that I’m borderline OCD – either that or I can be incredibly anal about some things. Are they the same thing? I won’t go into all the little idiosyncrasies that go along with that, but suffice to say that I could probably get on your nerves, although I really do try to keep it a “me” problem and not subject others to my little annoyances.

So that’s it: In 2012, I resolve to be more tolerant. I’m counting on anyone who reads this holding me to it too.

Now, I don’t want to foist my little commitment on anyone (wait for it …), BUT (there it is) I will issue a challenge: Think about the person you are, and the person you want to be. Are they the same?

Do you treat others with the same respect you appreciate? (I read recently that the ultimate measure of a person can be taken from how they treat those subordinate to them in the workplace.) How are you with deadlines? (The funny thing about deadlines is that they usually impact others.) How’s your communication? Does your workgroup have all the information they need to be successful? (Do you have all the information YOU need for them to be successful?) Do your coworkers and your friends think of you as a “go to person” – someone who’s always dependable? Just a thought. Obviously it’s your call.

I always tell my boys (ages 18 & 14) to make decisions that will reflect the person you WANT to be. I’m going to make a concerted effort to follow my own advice this year.