New Year's Resolutions, Football, and Politics

by Tom Hinton

With the advent of the New Year come resolutions, football playoffs, and political primary campaigns. Here are a few optimistic thoughts on each of the above items as we enter 2008.

Each year, between Christmas and New Year’s Day, I update my Success Plan of Action and set forth my goals. I won’t bore you with my goals, but I can tell you that my plan is based on the goal-setting model laid out in Napoleon Hill’s classic best-seller, Think and Grow Rich. It was written in the 1930s and remains once of the greatest self-help books ever written. I recommend it to you. I also recommend you adopt Hill’s goal-setting plan as I have done. It really works. Of course, you have to do three things to ensure success:

1. Develop a sound plan
2. Review it twice a day (as Napoleon Hill recommends)
3. Believe in it and stick with it.

Like many of you, I remain committed to shedding a few pounds. But, in 2008, I am going to do three things to ensure I achieve my weight reduction goals:

1. I am going to exercise for 40 minutes four days a week. This includes vigorous walks of one mile or more, regular visits to the health club, and pumping air in my Beach Cruiser tires and riding it around the neighborhood! In other words, I need to move my bones!
2. I’m reducing the amount of food I eat each day. I don’t plan to starve, but I am cutting in half my calorie consumption. This includes less bread and less dairy products.
   
3. I’m reducing my sugar and salt in-take. This means salt-free meals and less alcohol. I will drink a glass of wine twice a week. I know that eliminating desserts will be tough, but I can do it.

With the college bowl games finally exhausted, my focus has turned to the NFL Playoffs. Can anyone stop the New England Patriots? So far, they’re perfect at 16-0. I’d like to see the San Diego Chargers go all the way, but they'll have to get past some great teams including Indianapolis, Dallas, and Green Bay -- not to mention the Patriots, of course. But, a football fan must have hope! "Tis the season.

Speaking of hope, the American political system has gone completely crazy by advancing the Iowa Caucuses and the New Hampshire Primary by a full month! What are these people drinking? It’s too much, too soon for most Americans. I was hoping to enjoy a quiet, wintry January before I had to focus on another presidential election. But, given the fact we are knee-deep in the political primary season, let me share some thoughts and observations.

I hate to admit it, but when it comes to political rhetoric, I’m a skeptic. I discovered long ago that most politicians will say anything -- and I mean anything -- to get elected! Then, once elected, they flip-flop on their positions and simply do as they please while ignoring the will of the electorate who put them in office. Such is life. The 2008 crop of presidential candidates isn’t much different in my book.

However, I must admit there is one person who held me spellbound as I listened to her speak the other night during a campaign rally in New Hampshire. Ironically, she is not a candidate. But, she’s married to one. I’m referring to Michelle Robinson Obama. I knew she was well educated (PrincetonUniversity and Harvard Law School) and a capable, articulate, and attractive woman. But, I had never heard her speak at length before. She was captivating as she told a Town Hall meeting about her childhood on the south side of Chicago, her father’s strong blue collar work ethic, and her mother’s dedication to raising her children with high dreams and self-confidence. Michelle Obama also talked about her frustration with America, and in particular the American voters, who say the want "change," but then, are unwilling to step-up and make the necessary sacrifices in order to make change happen. Wow! She punched me right in the gut and it felt good! No bars hold with this articulate 43-year old mother of two. She’s tough, frank, and truthful. What a refreshing message. It sure beats the rhetoric I’ve been hearing from all the candidates on both sides of the aisle.

Regardless of one’s politics, it’s nice to hear someone stand up on the stump and tell it like it is. I was inspired by Michelle Obama, and it caused me to ask myself, “Hey, if Barrack Obama was smart enough to marry Michelle, I wonder if he’s smart enough to lead the United States of America in a new direction at a time when we desperately need innovative leadership?” We’ll see.

About the Author. Tom Hinton is a business author and popular professional speaker who serves as president of CRI Global, LLC. He can be reached at tom@criglobal.com. Visit www.tomhinton.com for more information on his programs and services.