Off and Running

Welcome to 2008. Funny how people think that since all a new year technically is a date change from one day to another, that "things are going to change or get better."

The reality is the change, if any is to occur can happen at any point during any year. There is no magical law that says because we went from one numeric description of time to another that things automatically get better. The truth is I believe it to be quite the opposite.

I didn't make any New Year resolutions this time around. For the last several years I will tell you that I have. Two years ago I made a resolution which involved a 3-year commitment to a leadership training program which starts its third year this upcoming Monday. The resolution in and of itself had nothing to do with the ultimate outcome of that commitment, rather my desire to see it through made the resolution valid. And if you yourself seeing a resolution through is sufficient to bring about a change, why not make resolutions each and every day to insure that you have a fuller, more fulfilling life.

I have an employee working for us in the construction company who is miserable right now. For months he has struggled with borderline depression regarding most everything happening in his life. In typical Monday morning quarterback position, it is easy to question what this person has to be so depressed about. He makes decent money, has a nice house and all the "toys" that go along with it. He has friends and activities that he is involved in, but he is miserable.

And sadly that miserable is translating into a less than stellar performance on the work front. Which is getting noticed by the people who pay us.

So I met with him yesterday and tried to pick his brain. Now I know that answer to the question I asked, but I had to ask it anyways. Boils down to this. He is simply not happy right now. The part I don't know, and he can't (or won't) answer is this: If the unhappiness coming from work and being carried over into his home and personal life, or is the unhappiness starting at home with his personal life and translating itself into his work life.

I have my suspicions, I think he is unhappy at home (In all fairness, I would be if I was in his shoes!!!) but that is neither here nor there. The point is trying to get him out of his "funk."

So I asked him, what makes you happy. A question asked numerous times, but yet to be answered.

I implore you to make each day new and special. Life is much to short to "...wait for next year when I can make a new resolution." Make the resolution each and every day to at least enjoy life. Be happy, look for the good in things, not the bad. Be positive even when others aren't. Smile at strangers. Hold the door for an older person. Try the Publix approach and offer to help someone to the car with their packages. Buy coffee for a stranger at Starbucks.

Do something, do anything. Just don't sit there being unhappy. Life will pass you by, and in that process the only person you have truly affected is yourself.

For now, take care...