New Year’s resolutions are comparable to goals/objectives made by companies at the work places. For companies goals/objectives are what an engine is to a car, the driving force!  Can we by extension say resolutions by individuals serve the same purpose? There are similarities and differences in company/individual goals/resolutions, depending on the company making the goals or the person making the resolutions.
Tell us more, columnist? Yes, indeed I will, for that is the thesis of today’s article.

Let us start by looking at performing companies — what are the guiding dynamics, you ask? These companies will have a vision, mission and goals/objectives. These are basically meant to give everyone in the company some direction and alignment. Where vision, mission and goals exist, there is focus, the kind of focus that results in increased production and productivity. This, unfortunately does not just happen spontaneously, there are some vital steps that have to be followed. For starters, the goals have to be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and with a time frame).  Action plans are put in place, based on the broad goals, which plans are reviewed from time to time, to ensure compliance.  Reviews can be frequent or can occur irregularly, on a needs basis, the main driver being production targets. 
The targets alluded to above can be reviewed upwards or downwards depending on prevailing circumstances, they are not cast in stone, as it were. If cost of inputs increases, this might result in a downward review of targets. Similarly, if there should be new technology which improves output, the targets can be reviewed upwards.

What is clear from the above is that these companies do not just make things happen on their own, there is a presence of a human resource that formulates the plans and also ensures that the plans are translated into deliverables.There will be structures and personnel to ensure that things do happen, whatever the nature of the business.   There will be those that supervise (managerial employees) and those involved in production (employees). There will be other resources utilised in the production chain, such as capital and equipment.
We have now seen what obtains in the business world. It is important to note that the above does not always translate into profitability — profitability being dependent on how well the business operates, from production to sales. Two categories of businesses emerge, the profitable and the loss making business.

I suppose the above should be the basis for formulating and following through our own individual resolutions.   Whereas in a company setting there will be a number of people and structures to ensure that plans are made and implemented, our individual resolutions are being championed by none other than ourselves! Ordinarily, there will be no one to supervise or to give you recognition when you achieve the target or goal. Quite clearly it is a process that requires not only discipline, but also commitment and ability to work without supervision, if we discount conscience as a supervisor! Is it any wonder then, that many of us take these resolutions lightly and cannot even tell whether there has been movement towards their attainment or not, at evaluation time ?
Let us take our discussion into a practical session by asking you the reader, what your 2011 was like? Statistically speaking, the few days left in the year will not make a significant difference, I can assure you! Yes go ahead                 and perform a self-evaluation. May I make a considered observation here. Our nation is not abundantly endowed         with skills in practical oriented, action research.  We                just cannot sit down and introspect, hence the number of spoilt votes during elections or questionnaires that                       go unanswered, which questionnaires are meant to determine the well-being of industry  and certain parts of the economy.

I recall this phenomenon  when doing my research project during my post graduate studies. I clicked my fingers several times  (the Lord  forgive), when I counted my questionnaire returns based on questionnaires I sent out with self-addressed and stamped envelopes. The returns were simply not forth coming! 
Back to  resolutions. If I have misrepresented you as an individual, please accept my apology and go on and make an honest evaluation of your efforts in the year 2011.  I am not exempt from the evaluation exercise, by the way.

Let me briefly describe my 2011 experiences in culinary terms — a mixed grill type year — it had a bit of this and that but never in full portions. Does this stimulate your appetite — let it be so, for it is the festive season, dear reader! One of my resolutions was in the columnist domain where I had  the privilege to discourse with you dear readers, as a headliner.   Coming up with columns, on a weekly basis, was not always easy. Discipline, commitment and your encouraging comments, however, saw me through!
Personal discipline in the working world  derives from the fact that bosses generally breathe  fire and brimstone  at the slightest indication that an employee is not meeting his targets. Remember the story of the bird flying in the Arctic region, the cow and the fox ? Surely you can google it up!   The moral of the story is that for every bad situation, see a dozen good things about the same situation. If one can extend the above driving force at work, to the home and social fronts, that individual then automatically becomes a headliner!

Going to church has added a new dimension to my life- focus and introspection (and dance skills!). Last week I alluded to the “love begets love”, philosophy.   An attachment student who realised my quest for deeper understanding of issues, blessed me with a unique gift, a Bible which looks into the lives of  great Biblical leaders and draws parallels with contemporary leaders. Count yourself as already having passed your attachment, young man, for I am a master when it comes to reciprocating!

Can we draw parallels between company goals and individual resolutions. Yes, I think so — goals/resolutions aim to improve the well-being of both the company and the individual. Whereas in the case of a company, there are resources ( human, capital , equipment, etc.),  to support the goals/resolutions, in the case of individuals, these resources may exist in limited quantities or not exist at all.  However, the common denomination  between a company and an individual  is that there should be a desire, in both cases, to succeed in attaining the stated goals/resolutions!

Take home?  As we evaluate our efforts in 2011, which we should by the way ( if we aim to make any improvements), let us be guided by the  considerations alluded to above, and any other relevant ones you may wish to goggle up!! The setting of the 2012 resolutions should not be taken lightly, the desire to improve your well-being (and that of others), should be uppermost. You do not need to come up with many of these — one or two, should be enough, for starters. The important thing is following up on the resolutions made!

I can propose a theme for all of us dear readers of this column — how about the “do unto others as you would like them to do unto you”, theme? As indicated above, we need to be disciplined and to continuously be monitoring our stated  resolutions,  lest we fail to have achieved them, come end of 2012.

A big “thank- you” to  my dear columnist Pastor, for reminding all of us as we got to the half-year mark of this fast fading year!

This being the very last article in the year 2011, I rest my year’s struggles — have yourselves a joyous festive season and a prosperous 2012, for the struggle definitely continues next year. Make meaningful resolutions, will you? As for me, one of my new year’s resolutions, is moving from being just a head-liner to being a wealth-liner.  Flesh around this theme to be unveiled in the new year !

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