Before beginning my term as a Challenge Detroit fellow, I worked at a consulting firm in the San Francisco Bay Area. \u00a0The CEO of the company was a brilliant woman, who took time out of her busy schedule each Wednesday morning to sit down with the other members of the Consultant Development Program and myself. \u00a0Throughout our time together, she shared with us funny stories, practical business tips, and general life advice. \u00a0One of my favorite lessons learned was the principal of \u00a0the “Bus Rule.”<\/p>\n
Essentially, the Bus Rule is this: you should live each day of your life so that if tomorrow you get hit by a bus, you will die happy and with no regrets, but, if tomorrow you don’t get hit by a bus, you will still also be happy with your life. \u00a0The Bus Rule suggests moderation. \u00a0It means that you should call your mom and tell her you love her often, and it means you should play hooky to go to a Tigers playoff game with your friends, it means you should splurge on that trip to Australia; it also means you should eat your vegetables, keep some semblance of a budget, sleep a full eight hours from time to time, and try your hardest at work.<\/p>\n
It is with the Bus Rule in mind that I am setting my New Years Resolutions for 2014. \u00a0Do you set resolutions? \u00a0Do you stick to them? \u00a0In 2013, I meant to run a marathon and read a book each week — check and check. \u00a0I also, however, meant to be more optimistic and to be nicer — unclear and unclear.<\/p>\n
Through Challenge Detroit, I’ve learned to set SMART goals. \u00a0SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. \u00a0Unfortunately, my latter two resolutions for 2013 were not specific or measurable.<\/p>\n
For 2014, however, I have a handful of SMART goals that also take the Bus Rule into account (which I am now posting to cyberspace so the world can hold me accountable!)<\/p>\n
1) Join the\u00a0Marathon Maniacs<\/a>\u00a0by completing the\u00a0Toledo Marathon<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Lansing Marathon<\/a><\/p>\n 2) Practice\u00a0yoga<\/a>\u00a0at least once a week, in Detroit<\/p>\n 3) Attend at least one\u00a0Detroit Soup<\/a>\u00a0event<\/p>\n 4) Once the snow is gone, bike to work (12 miles, approximately, from Detroit to Pleasant Ridge) at least one time<\/p>\n 5) Read three books pertaining to Detroit (history, culture, future, etc.)<\/p>\n And, just for fun, here are the resolutions I wish Detroit would commit to in 2014<\/p>\n 1) Open a froyo shop<\/p>\n 2) Open a paint your own pottery shop<\/p>\n 3) Open a BYOB restaurant<\/p>\n 4) Expand\u00a0Bangkok Crossing<\/a>‘s hours to include SUNDAYS (this is mostly a joke…but it would make me very happy!)<\/p>\n