Resolutions? We don’t need no stinking resolutions!

The ball has dropped and as we write the obituary on 2008 we look forward to the promise of a new day. Many things were amiss about 2008 from a global perspective, but, aside from the carnage in our 401(k), it was a pretty good year for us. Welcoming our son into the world and celebrating our second anniversary being among the biggest highlights.

As I look forward to 2009, I do so with a bit of apprehension. Looking back on things it seems that my best years have come in even numbered years. I met my wife, got married and became a father all in even numbered years. Conversely, some of my lesser moments have come in odd numbers years, specifically abandoned career paths and home renovation nightmares.

Regardless, I am undaunted as the calendar turns to 2009. I am encouraged by the prospects for my family and me, but there is one thing I refuse to do: make a resolution. Not because I am notoriously bad at following them, but because they are usually very broad and most times very unrealistic. Sure, I could always throw out that this year I want to be the best husband and father I can be. Kind of rings hollow, doesn’t it?

Instead, I have three specific goals in mind for myself for 2009, which are in no particular order:

1. Lose 25 pounds: Over the past six weeks I have managed to get my blood sugar under control through changes in diet and medication. However, by achieving this weight loss goal I hope to reduce my dependence on medication and control my diabetes through diet and exercise.

2. Sell our house: I put ten months of my life into this house tearing out walls, breaking my back over a hardwood floor nail gun and learning how to do tile, trim and case work. Still, even as we moved into the house we knew the reality was that it would be too small for our long term needs. So, despite my personal attachment I need to put my family’s needs in front.

3. Grow this blog and my understanding of social networking: These past few months writing this blog have been a lot of fun for me and I would like to see where I can take it in 2009. To do so I will also need to expand my understanding of social networking. Sure, I’m on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr, but that is merely the tip of the iceberg and I would like to learn the business case behind all the innovations. My hope is that by expanding my knowledge it will help me tackle my next big thing: the coming second career crisis.