New Year’s Resolution Update

Brenda Hogg, Regional and Local Councillor
Town of Richmond Hill

I rarely make a new year’s resolution for the usual reasons: they are generally unachieveable and lose their resolve within a month or so.

However, this year I decided that if I didn’t make a change in my behaviour, I would continue to have my doctor lecture me on the evils of being a ‘Type A’ personality. Apparently those people need to be in charge and on top of everything which is virtually impossible in my chosen line of work. They frequently suffer from stress disorders leading to high blood pressure and ultimately heart attacks. Not the future that I planned. In addition to being a ‘Type A’, I am also a bit of a pack rat. All reports, documents, agendas, books, are stacked in neat little piles in every room of my home and my offices - yes, I have two offices. Time for a change.

With the New Year I decided that not one scrap of work would enter my bedroom. It didn’t matter when I intended to read the report, if it sat on the dresser it was calling my name and so, there was never a break in my workload. Once removed, I had created an oasis of space and a virtual holiday. Excellent idea.

A friend helped two employees with their New Year’s resolution to quit smoking. He persuaded two of his employees not to wait for the New Year but to stop smoking immediately and he would give them each $1,000. if they would stop smoking until June. If they were successful, the money was theirs. If not, the $1,000 would be deducted from each paycheck until fully refunded. Quite the concept. The boss wins because the employees are taking fewer breaks and fewer sick days. The employees took control of their lives, have $1,000 and save what they would have spent on cigarettes. Very creative.

Brenda