Making a "To Don't" List

As we all know, it is that time of year again when whether we like it or not, thoughts start running through our heads like "this really is going to be the year that I lose those 25 pounds, stop smoking, start seriously exercising, will swear off karaoke or will stop trying to over-think my football picks."

It's an easy list to remember because for most of us it's same list as last year.

So when I got my issue of The Executive Insider today I started to laugh when I read the subject line: Making a "to don't" list. I was chuckling for two reasons; first because knowing the wonderful sense of humor that our Editor-in-Chief Robyn Greenspan has I figured this was only something that would come from her quirky creative mind and second, I couldn't imagine where she was going with it which, of course, like any accomplished writer, was exactly what she wanted my reaction to be. As usual, she scored on both counts.

As I read through her "list" however my smile became more like the kind of look one gets when you read or hear something that resonates within and you say to yourself "wow, I wish I had thought of that because everything that's there applies to me and if I were smart enough and as thoughtful as Robyn, I could have and should have thought about these things myself." It's a heck of a list.

So it is in the spirit of sharing something I found both useful and thought provoking that I pass along Robyn's "to don't" list in case, like me, you had not yet moved beyond the weight loss and exercise stuff.

While everyone is compiling their resolutions and focusing on all the things to do in 2009, I am putting together my "to don’t" list — behaviors and actions I will hopefully stay away from in the new year. So, in 2009 I will NOT:

Set unrealistic or unfair expectations of myself.

Say, "yes" to everything without first assessing the emotional, professional, personal, karmic ROI.

Neglect to quickly give credit to the team.

Solely focus on short-term benefits unless it is a pathway to accomplishing long-term goals.

Get complacent.

Count on anything before it is a reality.

Forget to network because it often benefits someone other than myself.

Stop critically thinking, but refrain from always shooting holes in others’ ideas.

Always eat the goodies in the ExecuNet kitchen without bringing some to share too.

Lose sight of the fact that I can replace my job but not my family.

Stress!

Comment by Steve Levy on December 31, 2008 at 8:22am: For those who don't know Dave as do I - since 1992 - his sense of humor is very subtle. Back in the "days", well before you had to climb ladders to find incredible job listings, there was Execunet, NetShare, and The Search Bulletin. Dave and his skeleton crew (although now his crew looks anything but emaciated) innovated in many ways to the point of being the forgotten inflection point in the creation of job boards and the services they provide. Of course Execunet is far more than any job board that I know.

End of the year love fest aside, there are my thoughts about his don'ts...

Set unrealistic or unfair expectations of myself. He will because he always does. Dave, I'll be stopping by during 2009 - expect a push-up diet.

Say, "yes" to everything without first assessing the emotional, professional, personal, karmic ROI. Two words Dave - teddy bear.

Neglect to quickly give credit to the team. Don't even know why this is on his list. Unless he somehow read the anti-Dave graffiti in the women's bathroom at Execunet.

Solely focus on short-term benefits unless it is a pathway to accomplishing long-term goals. Huh? I remember talks with him 10+ years ago when he was talking about 10+ years in the future. Scratch from list.

Get complacent. Here we have an issue with Opton and I have a few words for him - 5 days each week in the gym, come hell or high water.

Count on anything before it is a reality. With the positives of long term thinking come the excitement of short term expectations. Unless you're a Fortune 100 CEO.

Forget to network because it often benefits someone other than myself. More brick and mortar meetups for Execunet. Dave, can I be a speaker this year at a few of these???

Stop critically thinking, but refrain from always shooting holes in others’ ideas. You do this???

Always eat the goodies in the ExecuNet kitchen without bringing some to share too. Refer back to the gym thingy as well.

Lose sight of the fact that I can replace my job but not my family. Or that they can replace the CEO but not the goodwill of the company?

Stress! Yeah, right Dave.

As always DO, Happy Everything - and call me.

Comment by Dave Opton on December 31, 2008 at 10:59am: Steve,

You are the poster child life guard at Jones Beach, not me. If I can make 3-4 days a week to a gym I'll consider it a goal reached.

Thanks for the kind words, but then it had not occured to me to check out the graffiti in ladies room.