I took my daughter to lunch today and as a way of greeting asked our server if she was ready for the New Year. She replied, "I already have my resolution." I congratulated her and then in the next breath she said, "But I know I won't do it."

I was reminded of Ellen Degeneres and an article I once read in which she addressed the practice of creating resolutions. Her philosophy was to create resolutions that you know will allow you to be successful like:

I resolve to continue enjoying chocolate on a regular basis.

I resolve to avoid mean people.

I resolve to enjoy each rerun episode of Everybody Loves Raymond that I watch

My kind of resolutions.

Of course, there is very little challenge there.

Scott Ginsberg, Hello My Name Is offers up 111 Self Assessment questions to ask yourself as you prepare for the New Year. Just the thought of coming up with the question let alone answering them, is exhausting and so as always, my hat is off to Scott.

In his list of questions, he doesn't pull any punches:

1. Are you growing in size or differentiation?

2. Are you still trying to get somewhere?

3. Did you work on your legacy today?

4. Do you give people a reason to help you in the future?

5. How are you closing the credibility gap?

Any one of those questions will be cause for reflection and yet he offers 106 more.

What will your focus be for 2008?

Deborah Chaddock Brown
Writer