Two Must Do Resolutions for 2012

Are you going to make any New Year’s resolutions for 2012?  Most of the time, we make resolutions that we don’t really think that we will achieve.  However, if you don’t plan to improve; you will typically repeat what you did last year or maybe a little worse.  Therefore, without resolutions, 2012 will be the same as 2011 or slightly worse. 

This is not very exciting for 2012 and really seems negative.  Basically, I am a positive person.  I want to improve at least a little bit each year.  This gives me peace of mind because if I achieve my goals I know that I am moving in the right direction and the work environment is getting better.

So what resolutions should we select to improve our work situation?  I decided to “Google” for the answer.  Years ago I became interested in Colin Powell when I thought that he might run for President one day.  That day has never come yet but I want to pass on to you Colin’s 13 Rules of Life.  They are:

1. It ain’t as bad as you think.  It will look better in the morning.
2. Get mad, and then get over it.
3. Avoid having your ego so close to you that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.
4. It can be done!
5. Be careful what you choose.  You may get it.
6. Don’t let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.
7. You can make someone else’s choices.  You shouldn’t let someone else make yours.
8. Check small things.
9. Share credit.
10. Remain calm.  Be kind.
11. Don’t take counsel of your fears or naysayers.
12. Have a vision.  Be demanding
13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.

In addition to these 13 Rules, I found another article that summed up life in 25 Rules.  They are:

1. When someone else throws in the towel, find a way.
2. Finish what you start.
3. Make the tough decisions.
4. Don’t Bulls--- yourself.
5. Nuture and develop the spiritual you.
6. Maximize your potential.
7. Stop waiting for success to fall on your head.
8. Be in shape physically.
9. Hang out with high achievers and avoid energy vampires.
10. Change what you can and don’t fret about what you can’t change.
11. Don’t be a critic.
12. Don’t make excuses, make plans.
13. Become a master communicator.
14. Invest in others in a practical way.  (Be generous with your time, your knowledge and your skills).
15. Be completely responsible and accountable for where you are, who you are and what you are.
16. Control your emotions, especially anger and fear.
17. Trust and respect those who earned it.
18. Don’t base your expectations for your future on your past.
19. Expose yourself to different ideas, cultures, places, environments and people.
20. Get uncomfortable on a regular basis.
21. Get clarity and certainty about what you want and don’t want in life.
22. Laugh loud and often.
23. Don’t spend your life waiting for the “right time”.  The right time is now.
24. Find the good.
25. Humility- (Live and communicate with drive, passion and humility-not to be confused with weakness.  Arrogance and ego are ugly and destructive).

Don’t we all wish that someone could come up with a receipt for life that was always totally successful  for all problems, processes and circumstances.  We all know that there is no receipt for life.  However, there is always room for improvement.  These 38 Rules for life will certainly give you something to think about as you are improving 2012. 

I strongly suggest that your 2012 resolutions should include at least 2 important resolutions that I am positive that you will find extremely helpful with big paybacks as you work through 2012.  They are:

1. Get the waste out of your process using Lean Manufacturing, Lean Healthcare or Lean Whatever because Lean works in all processes!
2. Improve your process using data from your process and Six Sigma Methodologies (A proven problem solving approach)!

Use the 38 Rules for life on these two 2012 resolutions!