Happy New Year
Each January we collectively join in the making of big, sweeping plans. All the audacious things we’ve resolved to do in the coming year. It’s tradition, and it’s ironic, because we don’t see people having much success when attempting too much at once.
I’ve become more the continuous improvement type. Constraints are my dearest friends, in work as in life. I often remind myself that I need to be better at setting long-term goals, but somehow find myself back in the weeds.
This really began when I made up my mind to take control of my diabetes. Closely tracking all the little things in an effort to lower my A1C by a fraction of a percent or increase my time in range by a minute each day.
A lot of trying new things, or old things in a new way. What Scott Belsky calls “A/Me” testing. And when the new way attaches itself to a better outcome, setting about the work required to make that little change part of my routine. I feel fortunate to have the ability to do this.
Out with resolutions, in with changes that we can manage beyond Valentines.
With that it’s time for my New Year’s Reading List. And like any tradition, these pieces seem to get more special every time.
- Jeff Bezo’s Letter to Shareholders (1997, 2017)
- Bruce Mau’s An Incomplete Manifest for Growth (1998)
- John Allsopp’s A Dao of Web Design (2000)
I hope whatever you have in mind for the coming year leads to lasting, positive change. Best wishes!