The Bears won. And its looking really good Albert Ma is going to lose. I think I’m going to like 2012.

Of course, as I look forward to a great 2012, I also reflect on 2011 and wonder what I can do differently to make 2012 better. That’s where these silly resolutions start to come into play.

A Fresh Start

Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account. ~Oscar Wilde

Its always exciting at the chance to start fresh! I’m guessing that’s how a million dollars feels… but I have no first hand knowledge of that, so emphasis on the guessing part.

A new year means new beginnings. A chance to start being the people we want to be but who we clearly and empirically are not. I love this. Its like our collective better selves get together once a year and cheer, “hey, we can do this!”.

Its also sort of like Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny having a love child… or love animal. Or whatever would be the out come of such an affair and naming it New Year’s Resolution.

The Elephant in the Room.

I don’t have a problem with new year’s resolutions really. I think I may have actually met someone once who actually followed through with (part of) their resolution for (possibly as long as) a week.

But that’s the thing, right? These damn things just don’t work.

Personally I stopped making them a few years back anyway. Not only do they not work, they also have the added benefit of making me look like a bigger liar and flake than I already am! Perfect. No wonder these things are so popular!

And when we get right down to it, if I was going to start going to the gym, I’d already be going. Same with that foreign language thing or the get organized thing or the whatever thing.

So What’s a Guy to Do?

Trimming up the Plant that Grows the Magical Fruit

But its a new year! A new start! Not making any resolutions is totally unsatisfying. And its akin to sending out a family update to all your friends proclaiming, “2011, our last great year!”. Unless, of course, I actually do have a million dollars forgotten away somewhere. Then…

I made an interesting observation today as I was out trimming my small vineyard. (And for those who haven’t seen it, I live in town, its SMALL). As a pretend vintner I’m a lot more concerned with the health and well being of my great producing vines than I am in the craptastic vines.

Those great vines… well, they are great. Really great. And I know they can be even better. They’ve shown their potential. And I’d rather spend my limited time and resources on making them the best than trying to make something bad, just okay or average.

I’m shooting for blow your mind good. Not just better. Or good enough for government work.

Funny how that’s the exact opposite of my resolutions normally. But not this year.

2012 = Focusing on my Strengths

(And ignoring my weaknesses.)

That’s my New Year’s Resolution.

I’m focusing on the things that make me great. Not the things that make me… well, less regrettable. In 2012, I’m bringing awesome back.

Worth 5 Minutes? Yep.

One of my less endearing qualities (although I admit I have many) is impatience. Its never done fast enough. I’m never there soon enough. And I’m always getting ticked off about it.

I’m Getting Impatient

But the truth is, its usually done fast enough. I’m always there soon enough. And I’m getting mad for no good reason.

So I’m done. I’m getting impatient with my impatience. And I have an action step. Or at least a first step.

I’m taking 5 minutes. 

Its Always Worth It

Is there anything that isn’t worth taking 5 minutes for? I’m sure there is. Of course there is. Right?

But I don’t care. I’m going to take 5 minutes.

My neighbor wants to talk (again)? I’m going to take 5 minutes instead of blowing him off.

My friend wants to tell me one more story (again)? I’m going to take 5 minutes to listen.

I see a beautiful sunset? I’m taking 5 minutes to pull over and take that picture.

I’m Going to Take 5 Minutes

So effective immediately, I’ll be Taking 5 Minutes.

5 Minutes to pull over and take that picture.

5 Minutes to go look at the monkey’s in the trees (that don’t exist) down by the river with my 3 year old.

5 Minutes to sit down and give my wife my undivided attention when she asks for it.

5 Minutes to stop what I’m doing to do that thing that’s not as urgent, but probably more important.

No doubt this idea probably won’t change my life. But hopefully it’ll make it just a little better.

Is it hard for you to take 5 minutes out of your day to do the small things?

But there was an exciting part for me! And since this is my site, I get to write about that here! The guy who was behind this theme made the claim in an interview that “he was one of the 3 most important people in WordPress”. Now, he has a lot of users of his theme, but the claim is was crazy outrageous. The guy has a serious case of narcissism (as it turns out, my kind of guy!). So the founder of WordPress, Matt Mullenweg, decided to give away some t-shirts and certificates to anyone who ask. I asked… and now I’m One of the three most important people in WordPress too!

…

And then I found $5.

Geoff is his name, and being awesome… well, that’s his game. (Sorry Geoff, that was crazy cheesy, but its written and I don’t know how to erase yet on the computer screen, so…) He just re-launched his blog, This Tiny Empire and I think you should do me a favor and at least go by once for a visit. I think you’ll enjoy it.

As I’ve thought about my life this evening I came to realize that its easy for me to feel sorry for myself and get depressed and wish for things to be different but what would actually be helpful for me, my family, my business, my everything is to be awesome. I don’t know about you, but I need a little more awesome in my life. In fact, I’ve decided that I need to turn up the awesome in my life… and that’s exactly what I intend to do. Stay tuned…