How we will Realize Our Potential in 2015

A new year begins tomorrow. It’s time for Michael, Kurt and I to engage in a The Potentiality New Year’s tradition and make public commitments about how we will realize our potential in 2015. Like the kid in the photo above, we see the year ahead as a field of fresh snow upon which we can carve and create new tracks.

Being realistic, keeping your goals (and mindset) positive, and creating a plan are all important things to consider if you want to achieve resolutions like living a healthier, exercise-filled life, or being more awesome at work. According to Harvard Business Review‘s Rebecca Knight, people who stick to their goals, publicly commit to their goals, and enlist support of peers, friends, family, mentors, and managers to hold them accountable are also important tactics applied by people who consistently stick to their goals and, invariably, achieve them.

With this in mind, Michael, Kurt and I are asking each other for support and committing very publicly to our goals for 2015. As you’ll see, we’re big believers in the rule of three.

How John will realize his potential

Become a CrossFit Champion Be Healthier

A few month ago I completed Gallup’s Wellbeing Finder – long story short, I’m very well; however, where I can improve my personal wellbeing is with my physical health. Rather than commit to specific weight-loss or bench-press targets, my focus will be on incorporating exercise that’s beyond riding my bike into each and every day for at least 20 minutes. So, that’s the first thing that I’m going to do. The second thing that I’m going to focus on are my eating habits, specifically what I put in my body (less cheese and food trucks only once in awhile!) and portions (no, I don’t require thirds!). Adopting these behaviours will contribute to my looking and feeling better in 2015.

Speak Less, Say More

One of our Vice Presidents at Vancity – also named John – gave me some feedback during our manager-once-removed meeting earlier this year: “John,” he said, “you will realize your potential when you learn to use 30% fewer words.” Done. Stories and emails will become briefer and brighter in 2015.

Make Enthusiastic Connections

“You win the award for getting to know the most people in the shortest amount of time,” said my manager and two colleagues to me last week. I will leverage my superpowers of enthusiasm and connectivity to positively disrupt the silos in my workplace and animate existing networks that are doing good things for my company. My success (or, perhaps, lack thereof) will be measured by how the learning solutions that I design, deliver and promote at Vancity drive change in the organization and also by how many people in my network (family, friends, Facebook) subscribe to the sharing economy in some way (and, when asked, attribute the shift to an “exciting conversation” that they had with me).

How Kurt will realize his potential

Maintain a Healthy Commute

We all know that staying fit and having fun is important (thanks Body Break!). I’m blessed with a great commute from Commercial Drive to Granville and Broadway which takes me along the False Creek bike path. It is flat and gorgeous. In the summer last year I did a good job of riding frequently to work. This year I’m going to try to extend this healthy commute into the spring and fall.

Stay Grounded and Listen Well

During tumultuous times, staying grounded and thoughtful is important. This coming year I will be conscious and intentional about staying calm and thoughtful even when facing crisis or conflicting situations. Being grounded and thoughtful will also make me a better listener.

Be Patient. Be Happy.

Smelling the daisies along the road of life has always been something that I’ve preached. This coming year I intend to be more patient in waiting for next steps and new opportunities. I also plan to better enjoy my present situation including finding a renewed pleasure in my fascinating job, important volunteer commitments and in spending time with my loving family and friends.

How Michael will realize his potential

Health

Much like John I’m really interested in managing my health. There’s a heap of evidence indicating that being in good health – physical and mental – is crucial to reaching potential. With three kids, it’s harder than ever for me to make time to go to the gym, but over the past few weeks I’ve found ways to stay active while getting in quality time with a five year old, a 20-month-old, and my 10-week-old baby. It’s all about making our family-time active-time, and it’s helping me perform better at work and feel like a better dad, too. Everybody wins!

Appreciate the Positive

I’ve been presented with some really challenging situations, and without a fault when I look back I came out best when I focused on the positive opportunities instead of being bogged down in the negative. I’m hauling out my Appreciative Inquiry library that grounded my thesis for a good refresher this January and pledging to focus on the good in 2015.

More Fun

My callouses have disappeared and I need them back! In 2015 all the stringed instruments get new strings and I’m going to jam my hands in as many cracks (of granite) that I can. It’s really easy to forget which activities you find the most nourishing, and I think I’ve fallen into a bit of a busy trap and forgotten to make time to enjoy and share my favourite things with my friends and family – those are music and the mountains.