Why I Don’t Do New Years Resolutions

by Dave on January 1, 2012

New Years PartyI’m not a big fan of New Years Resolutions. Come to think of it, I’m also not a fan of annual budgets either, but that’s a post for the work site and possibly less interesting than this one!

The start of the new year often brings about the notion that we can immediately cleanse ourselves of the pains of the previous year. While that mentality doesn’t fail us all the time, when gyms prepare for a busy January and can actually know that there’ll be a major decrease in motivated gym-goers within 6-8 weeks and other similar health-oriented companies have similar market knowledge, there’s something to how we plan.

What is missing for the resolutions that don’t survive February is often some momentum. When moving forward with big commitments, we need to be ready with the right mindset – not everything can be stopped cold turkey or started, with the ability to finish, at the drop of a hat.

Building momentum includes changing or adapting habits, accommodating the environment around us and recognizing the constraints in our lives that might cause some barriers.

New Years resolutions seem to often miss building the foundation for some of those life changes people want to initiate. The key is really to be laying the framework for positive change in life every day so that ‘resolutions’ are goals or complements and not the misleading curealls many often expect them to be.

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Back in October, I sent an email through Leadnow.ca regarding Bill C-10, the Conservatives’ new Crime Bill.

It was a canned letter, but I’ve got some serious concerns about the bill, itself, as well as the fast-pace process through which it’s moving through the system. Here’s the letter I received from my MP, Randy Kamp:

Dear Dave,

Thank you for copying me on your e-mail to Minister Nicholson.  I appreciate your taking the time to write.  I apologize for the delay in responding.  While you may receive a more complete reply from the Minister, I would like to make some comments.

Our Government believes in protecting Canadians and their communities to make our streets safer.  Bill C-10 brings together nine bills that focused on issues such as sexual exploitation of children, repeat offenders, human smuggling, organized drug traffickers, and terrorism; bills that had been brought before previous minority Parliaments and debated extensively.  Our Government made a promise during the election to pass this legislation within 100 sitting days.  We were elected on it, and we are keeping that promise.  At the same time, over the past six years, we have increased supports to victims and expanded youth diversion programs to assist in crime prevention.  Bill C-10 also includes the expansion of drug treatment courts, that have been running in Canada for almost ten years, to assist those who are in need of drug treatment, not jail time.  Bill C-10 is a balanced, made in Canada solution, dealing with specific issues to help make our streets safer.

Thanks again for writing.

Regards,

Randy

Randy Kamp, M.P.
Pitt Meadows — Maple Ridge — Mission

I just can’t believe it. As written in my reply, I cant trust the Conservatives’ commitment to drug treatment when they’re taking on Insite and letting humanitarian issues drag on like those at Attawapiskat and other places across the country where people don’t even have access to drinking water.

My response was:

Randy,

Thank you for your email.

After the Conservatives’ recent attack on Insite that was nothing but a commitment to an ideology rather than a meaningful solution to a serious problem, I have very little faith in the Government’s commitment to treating people with addiction problems. When I lived on the Downtown East Side until this past summer, I often reflected how much better off my neighbourhood was because of Insite.

When I reflect on Bill C-10, I feel much more comfortable subscribing to Senator Eggleton’s perspective than putting faith in yours.

Dave

Art Eggleton really nailed it, I think. What are people thinking?

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The Worst BS Job Interview Question

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What job interview question really irks you? For me, it’s one I’ve heard probably a hundred times. Though I haven’t been asked recently, it is: “How much did you make in your last position?”

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Upcoming BC HST Referendum

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This first is a letter sent to me from the BC NDP discussing HST in British Columbia. Following that is my response asking why the NDP is not willing to debate this issue honestly. I’m not a BC Liberal and even though they’ve been equally dishonest in terms of bringing real debate, I didn’t just receive their letter in my inbox.

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Georgia Strait Alliance

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I’m very excited about joining the Georgia Strait Alliance on a number of different levels. The Board, leadership and staff that I’ve come to meet over the past few weeks all seem like good, committed people who are focused on working together to fulfil the mission of the organization

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