Resolution now more than ever

As the decade draws to a close, I'm compelled to pick up where I left off some three months ago and continue my own small contribution to the blogosphere.

The last act of the "naughties" has been a difficult and stressful time for myself and others I'm close to. The sense I get as we hail 2010 is that many people are glad to see the back of 2009. I don't intend to present a postmortem here, but to look forward to the new year and focus on the good stuff.

The new year is traditionally a time for resolution. Resolutions are supposed to represent a true commitment to change. I think now more than ever, a resolution of some sort is a powerful way to dust off any bad luck or hardship and enable a new, invigorated outlook on life, however tough things may have been. While this is all very noble, many of us are only too aware that new year's resolutions often fall by the wayside come mid-January, or at the very latest, February 1st.

So perhaps they should represent less daunting challenges - things it would be difficult to fail at? They don't have to be goals or objectives that are specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time-bound. They could be as simple as to do more walking, or to listen more to friends. Why not simply make small changes that are private and easy, changes that can develop naturally into bigger things over time?

Resolutions can also be fun. Why not simply resolve to smile more at complete strangers, or not get worked up about things that don't really matter? We're all different, we all have our little idiosyncrasies that make us all interesting to some and annoying to others. Try worrying less about each others' foibles and simply focus on the positive in all of us.

I'm looking forward to 2010 with a great sense of optimism. I feel lucky to have emerged from one of the top business schools in the world with a highly marketable qualification and to have secured a great job in the toughest economy of our lifetime.

I'm thankful for my health, my family and friends, and the warm California sun. Bring on the new year!