Resolutions

Welcome to 2010! A new year, a new decade, another chance to get things rights.

It's in that spirit of new beginnings that we offer a list of resolutions, one we've worked hard to keep short. Long lists, after all, are rarely achieved, possibly because we're all such gifted rationalizers. Not surprisingly, our ability to avoid taking action -- even on things that might improve our health -- tends to increase with the number of recommendations. Case in point: Your doctor telling you to lose weight, exercise, stop smoking, drink less, get more sleep, and avoid daytime television. (If you ask me, it's time for a new doctor!) Given the depth and breadth of the doctor's directives, many of us will avoid taking meaningful steps to achieve any of them -- largely due to our powers of rationalization.

Ah, but if the list is short we humans -- and I'm only speaking to the humans among us -- find it more difficult to create and maintain useful rationalizations to avoid taking action. Not impossible, just more difficult. It's for this reason, that the following list is short. Quite short, as a matter of fact. Maybe this will help us accomplish them.

So, for this new year of 2010 (and, of course, it's 20-10; you don't refer to the year 1910 as 1,910 now do you?) we offer the following resolutions:

• We will walk, bike and take public transportation whenever possible, avoiding the use of automobiles. Think this is silly? Low-hanging fruit? It may be. But check out the impact we can have by doing this. 'nuff said.
  

• We will learn a new culture. The planet is too small for us not to know more about the many rich cultures that exist here. Greater understanding of and sensitivities to the lifestyle of others are essential if we're to develop mutual respect and support for each other. Pick a culture you know little about and become your local expert, maybe mastering a bit of that culture's language. Start by learning how that culture says 'Please', 'Thank you' and 'You're welcome'. It will tell you a ton about their people.

• We will improve the workplace. We all spend way too many hours at work for it not to be more satisfying. In every place of work, there are 1 or 2 things that can be done to make it more productive, more successful. Actions that can accelerate growth. Our bet is that you already know what those things are. Do something about them in 2010, ideally soon. Your coworkers and your customers will thank you.

That's our list. Short, sweet and imminently doable. We've already signed up and committed. Possible for you to join us? We'd be honored to have you with us.

Have fun as you dig out from under the enormous pile of e- and voice mails. Figuring this will take the better part of the week, we'll leave you alone until next Monday.

And, again, happy New Year! May the year be filled with health, happiness and good wine.