I know it’s almost mid-January and most of us have already made (and likely abandoned) any new year’s resolutions we were going make this year—but—in the off-chance you needed more time to weigh and consider, like me, I come bearing (downloadable) tools for success. Like most of my species I tend to make, but suck at keeping New Year’s resolutions. Until last year that is. At which time I decided to take a page out the Department of Motor Vehicles playbook and afford my resolutions the gravity and legitimacy they deserve by creating what else? A form.
As any bureaucrat knows, nothing works better to convert a half baked idea into an honest-to-god, “thing” than committing it to a form. But “wait”, you say. What sorts of New Year’s resolutions might qualify as “Industrial”? Losing 10 lbs., joining a gym maybe? Possibly, but probably not. I’m referring to the more weighty, bigger-fish-type industrial-sized resolutions. Thus, I share with you, the Industrial Resolution Form (13-6A). (Use this link to download a 2-up PDF, if you’d like to print some out for yourself).
How to Use Form 13-6A
I created and used this form last year to make two New Year’s resolutions and here’s the process I used: (full disclosure…I accomplished one of them. That’s one more than I usually keep.)
I recommend limiting these to no more than 2 or 3, manageable, high quality resolutions to give yourself a fighting chance at success.
- Fill out the blank part after “I will….:” Keep it simple. Don’t describe the process, just the result.
- Fill out the “I will celebrate by….:” with some sort of reward, big or small, but commensurate with the size of the goal. Industrial Resolutions merit Industrial rewards. By default I usually start small so I include a “Or Maybe Even a…” to think a little bigger.
- Find someone you trust to serve as a witness and to whom you can be accountable. This should be someone who won’t necessarily monitor your success (we don’t want to create invites for co-dependents) but someone who will simply give you a big hug or pat on the back when you accomplish your goal. If you can’t find someone, let me know and I’ll email you a pre-signed Foolish Fire Officially Witnessed Signature Form (13-6A-W). Virtual hugs and pats included.
- Set a realistic timeline. A resolution, even an Industrial-sized one, doesn’t have to be a year-long enterprise. If you can polish it off by the end of next week, awesome. Set a start and finish date. Tweak if necessary. We’re all adults. Start off the year being nice to yourself.
- Find an envelope, (you’ll note that when printed this form fits nicely into an A7 envelope) put your forms inside but don’t seal it right away (I found that I needed to make a few changes during the ensuing 2 or 3 days.) When I was sure my goals were realistic and achievable, put the envelope somewhere you’ll see it frequently. I pasted mine on the inside cover of a new sketchbook I started January 1. Your refrigerator is a good place. On the outside with magnets, or even in the inside. You’ll see it a lot and it will always cause you and others to ask, “what the hell is that doing there?”. Strategery!
- That’s it. Simple. I opened my 2012 envelope on Tuesday, January 1. Ironically, I’d forgotten one of the resolutions I’d placed in there, and of course it was the one I didn’t accomplish (sorry, more details would be TMI). But, the resolution I did accomplish was to focus on improving Foolish Fire. Which I did, I hope, and am doing again in 2013. My reward? A new drafting table so I’m not always usurping the dining table for hand-lettering work. And here it is. Thank you DMV!!