Wishes for a New Year

Welcome to 2011. We hope you had a marvelous holiday season and are ready to jump back into the wild, exhilarating white-water ride we call life. Don't let the over-indulgence and lack of sleep of the last week deter you. You might be a bit heavier and your head may still be filled with cobwebs, but not to worry. Even so, sit up and take a look around: This year is going to be a fabulous one.

Wait, you say? Where's the cynicism, the skepticism, the anger? Can this really be TJOW?

Yes, it is. While we're only a few days into 2011, the signs are abundantly clear. We're in for an amazing year. More than that, actually. We're poised for a year in which hope becomes reality. A year in which graciousness will thrive. A year of growth and learning. A year of strength. A year of success. A year of happiness.

Trust us on this: It's going to be a very good year. We know. We're professionals.

But it won't just happen. Greatness never just happens. In this case, we're talking about something huge, something monumental, something life-changing. For a year this big, this cool to happen, it's going to take all of us. Hey, you want to a brilliant year, there will be some things you'll need to do.

Know this now: Losing weight is not one of them. In many ways, it's easier than that -- and much more satisfying.

For us to have a wonderful year, we will all need to do a few things. For ease of selection, we've clustered the options into three categories: Essential, You'll Love It, That's Cool! Pick at least the minimum number required from each category.

Essential (Pick at least 5)

• Hold doors open for anyone
  
• While driving, wave to those who allow you to merge or change lanes
• Give up your seat on public transportation for someone who needs it more than you
• Get off your mobile phone while talking to a clerk or cashier
• Return calls and e-mail within 24 hours
• If you drive or walk slower than others, stay to the right!
• If you must smoke, at least put your butts in the garbage!
• If you weigh yourself regularly, stop immediately! Throw away your scale! Instead, eat an amount that allows you to fit comfortably into your clothing.
  

You'll Love It (Pick at least 3)

• Mentor someone at work
• Take a conversational language course
  
• Do something -- anything -- in the arts (e.g., play an instrument, take singing lessons, learn to dance, become a docent)
• Get physical: Walk, run, ride a bicycle, skate, bowl. Anything that gets your heart pumping and those endorphins flowing.
  
• Volunteer in a non-profit organization that needs your help
• Learn to cook or bake
  

That's Cool! (Pick at least 2)

• Help someone find a job
• Become a Big Brother or Big Sister
  
• Raise money for a worthy organization or cause
• Get involved in your local schools

An important note: Please don't approach these as you would typical -- and worthless -- New Year's resolutions. Do not plan to do these things. It's not about planning, it's about taking action. Do the things you've selected now, please. Indeed, the sooner the better, as each option will make you a more engaged, interesting, enthusiastic individual. A better friend, a great colleague. A nicer person. Sexier. (Hey, it's possible.) And that's just you. When we're all doing the things we've chosen, it's going to be a better world.

And that's why we're confident that 2011 is going to be wonderful. Because this year we're not leaving anything to chance. We, together, are going to make it a fabulous year. Starting now.