In March 2009, I wrote a column, “What are you going to do with all of the time you’ve been given?” I concluded it by sharing my professional, personal and spiritual To-Dos.
Looking in the rearview mirror, it’s clear that outside of a few sporadic successes, I fell a bit short working toward those goals. The resolutions were (and still are) solid, but my resolve wavered.
Because the goals are desirable and attainable, and I wholeheartedly believe in second chances, I’m giving my resolutions another go-around. Here are my 10 resolutions for 2010:
Eat Less. Move More. Four words … Simple, but not easy. Like a lot of things in life, I have to stay committed to improving both sides of the ledger to gain ground (instead of pounds).
Spend Less. Save More. As The Great Recession lingers, many of us will make the same or less this year. Meanwhile, the cost of fuel, food, utilities and medical coverage will continue to climb. The good news is if I’m successful at Resolution 1, it automatically fortifies my efforts toward Resolution 2. By the way, did you know fast food isn’t considered a necessity in other parts of the world?
Talk Less. Listen, Think and Take Action More. God gave each of us two ears and one mouth for a reason. Growing up with nine siblings, interruptions sometimes seemed my only way into conversations. But now that I’m allegedly “all growed up,” that same behavior gets me nowhere. This goal includes not playing psychic by trying to finish people’s sentences.
Worry Less. Pray More. The worrying comes and goes, as does the praying. But the praying is gaining steam while the worrying is stalling. Hmm … Perhaps they’re inversely related.
Grump Less. Laugh, Love and Live More. I need to adopt an attitude of gratitude and carry it with me throughout each day. I’m blessed beyond belief. I need to cherish every moment I have with the special people, gifts and grace God showers upon me at home and work. I might never be a millionaire, but that’s OK. I’m relationship rich.
Take Less. Give More. I’m not where I could or should be with this one, but I do experience magical moments of getting out of self and getting into others. I hope to make this a daily deal. My oldest brother, Jim, tried to help three people a day and not let anyone else know about it. If others discovered his good deeds, they “didn’t count.” (I won’t share my progress on this goal because I want all of my random acts of kindness to count.)
Reach Out More. My goal is to connect with at least 20 readers every month. Thousands of lawn care, landscape maintenance, design/build and irrigation professionals and an expansive family of marketing partners subscribe to our magazine. Consistently connecting with the customer will help us take our relationships and integrated media solutions to the next level.
Plan Your Work. Work Your Plan. A host of professional To-Dos fall under this goal, including improving communications, strategic planning and tactical execution. The action list is lengthy and complex, but the desired by-product is singular and simple, albeit a bit militaristic: We need to do all we can do to become all we can be.
Complete HUGE Heart Home Makeover. This one was the brainchild of Group Publisher Kevin Stoltman. After we barely missed winning an “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” renovation for friends, Kevin convinced me to not give up. With Kevin’s gentle urging, last year I organized and promoted a local project to raise funds and expand and remodel the home of the Gaspar family of Fairview Park, OH. Adam Gaspar, my buddy since the first grade, lost his 10-month battle with cancer Sept. 30, 2008. In no way can this endeavor offset the loss of Adam, but it is bringing together an entire community in a beautiful act of service that will make home a little sweeter for Adam’s widow, Ann, and their six children.
Write and publish a book. In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been writing this classic — “Whit’s World … Living proof that evolution is overrated” — one month, one column at a time.
