finishing lines
By Steve Watkins, Photo By Dero Sanford

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
I have always loved the idea of the New Year’s resolution. Real resolutions require forethought – introspective time. What could be more valuable or worthwhile than setting a little time aside to think about the things we’d like to do better, improve upon or start or quit altogether.

The key word in resolution is resolve. What an awesome word.

Resolve - \ri-zalv\ vb: to firmly or formally express, make clear.

The best resolutions can give us a real sense of empowerment; the notion of taking control, changing for the better. It encompasses so many things that are good – determination, hope, discipline, faithfulness, commitment, and pledging to ourselves that we will overcome the inevitable setbacks.

And the most successful resolutions are met successfully when they are made truly for us – not for any other person, cause or effect. It’s got to be the real deal.

Still thinking about some things you’d like to resolve during 2008?

If you’re still thinking about resolutions for 2008, here are some great tips from Dale Berry, author of Results: There’s No Such Word as Can’t. It’s not too late!

• Put some thought into it. Don’t let yourself get pressured into a resolution just before the stroke of midnight. Make a resolution that has a level of meaning and purpose in your life.
• Make it realistic … but don’t make an “all or nothing” resolution. Set a goal that can be achieved in steps and phases.
• Set a timetable. Know the difference between a goal and a dream? A goal is a dream with a deadline.
• Make a plan. Set a schedule and assess how much time it will take to ensure your success.
• Give yourself a regular reminder. Low-tech approach: tape a note to your bathroom mirror. High-tech approach: Set up your schedule to give you a daily or weekly auto-reminder.
• Find a resolution partner. Accountability is a strong motivator.
• Reward yourself. Don’t be afraid to treat yourself for achieving your goals. It’s great to celebrate success!

I think most of the goals I have during 2008 will fall under the umbrella of one broad resolution. It comes as a result of a great conversation with a good friend recently who talked to me about the importance of staying true to himself during a work encounter that he knew would be a challenge.

He felt good about the fact that he had stayed true to himself, trusted himself and didn’t let himself down when the pressure was on.

“Who in the world can I ever trust if I can’t trust myself,” he said. Now that’s refreshing. Great point.

So in 2008, I’ll resolve to stay true to myself. Here are some goals I think I’ll pursue in that respect. I will:

• Not feel compelled to say yes to every request.
• Go on a great family vacation with my wife and kids. We’ll go somewhere different where we can explore, have an adventure and experience new things together.
• Go an adventure vacation with my son. We will celebrate his coming of age together and make it a rite of passage.
• Stay away from Friday appointments. Friday will be a personal catch-up day.
• Sign up for an event that will be a real physical and mental challenge – one that will require training discipline and long-term commitment.
• Not be afraid to let people know how important they are to me.
• Find a way to serve a need that really needs to be met.
• Honor my parents.
• Write more about things that I really want to write about.
• Pray more.
• Try really hard to work a little less, or at least leave work at the office.
• Not allow myself to be defined by things that really don’t matter.

WELL DONE
Congratulations to friend and mentor Dr. Marlin Shipman, professor of journalism, on his retirement after more than a quarter of a century at Arkansas State University.

It’s hard to convey just how much you appreciate someone who taught you so much about what would become the foundation for your livelihood. Shipman gets most of the credit for helping me understand some of the finer points about writing and interviewing for journalism. He helped me get my first job interview, taught me a wealth of information about communications law, and in the years after undergraduate and graduate school took a genuine and heartfelt interest in our family.

Congratulations on a great career, and happy retirement, Dr. Shipman. Thanks for making a difference.

You can always write me at steve@jonesborooccasions.com