Every visionary leader knows of the art of motivating peak performance with audacious, challenging goals that are nonetheless achievable with great effort. Setting appropriate New Year’s resolutions is the equivalent activity for the rest of us. How do we push ourselves to do better, but not set ourselves up for failure?
After deep pondering, I decided that 2019 will be my Year of Impulse Control, things I resolve not to do. And if I do slip up and succumb to temptation, I am setting backstops that will keep me from going too far.
Okay, here goes. Ten things I resolve for 2019:
1. I will not purchase a jet ski.
2. If I fail at #1, I will resist the temptation to drive the jet ski in my koi pond.
3. I will not build a ziggurat (Babylonian step pyramid) anywhere on my property.
4. If I fail at #3, said ziggurat will be no larger than 50% scale. Maybe 75% scale. Definitely not full-scale.
5. I will not tell you what I really think about those clothes you’re wearing.
6. Unless they’re really hideous.
7. I will not drink more than one fifth of hard liquor per day.
8. Okay, I will probably not drink more than one half-gallon of liquor at a single sitting. On weekdays.
9. I will not take a nap while driving.
10. If I do close my eyes for more than 10 seconds, I will be sure I’m driving less than 45 mph.
I’m off to a pretty good start already this year! So far I’ve had to give myself a couple of mulligans this morning, but it’s hard to make new habits. I’ll give it time.
I wish you a successful new year and hope that this will be your best year yet!
Or at least the most recent year yet.
Jonathan