2010 Resolutions

By Jamie Schriner-Hooper 
Organization Specialist
Michigan Main Street Center
Michigan State Housing Development Authority

So, the New Year is upon us. Gone are the restful and luxurious days off of the holiday break, sleeping in, eating cookies for breakfast, playing with friends and relaxing on the couch. It’s time to get back to business. So, in addition to my personal list of resolutions, which could be another complete blog, in honor of making this year better than the last, I give you my list of Main Street resolutions:

1. Make Better Plans
In my very best Jan Brady voice: “Work plan. Work plans. Work plans.” We all know that good work plans are the basis for a strong Main Street program. Despite this knowledge, we often put together strong work plans, and then push them off to the side when life seems to get in the way, which is exactly what we should not do. Because I too am guilty of this, I resolve to use my work plans and follow them – according to the timelines that I created before the beginning of the year.

2. Communicate Better
Again, another “gimme” resolution. I don’t think there’s a person out there, with the exception of perhaps Oprah, who couldn’t be a better communicator. I often think that things are clear to others, however, this is often not the case. While I live Main Street on a daily basis and have for the last five years, most people don’t eat, sleep and breathe the Main Street Four Point Approach®. I often forget that. So, in order to make this year better for me and those with whom I communicate, I resolve to communicate more, send a clear and concise message in multiple formats (newsletters, emails, social media, presentations, etc.) and ask if I am sending a clear message.

3. Don’t Overextend
So, this one will perhaps be the hardest. If you’re anything like me, you have a hard time saying no. “What is that? You need someone to take the minutes at three different committee meetings, as well as chair the meetings and, better yet, no one else has stepped up so you need me to do all of it? Sure, I can do that.” Or, “you need someone to put together an event that the other board members have flaked on. And, you need it done in less than three weeks? Sure. I enjoy a challenge!” In doing this, I am not helping anyone. This year, I resolve to embrace the awkward silence and allow others to step up.  I am not Super Woman, despite my best attempts. There are things that others can do much better than I can, and I need to give them the opportunity to step forward, rather than speaking up when no-one else will.

4. Be a Better Volunteer
This goes hand-in-hand with the above resolutions and is a bit broad in scope. In order to be a better volunteer, I need to make sure that I’m available to help with the small tasks that need to be done and keep a better handle on what is going on in the organization as a whole. I need to make sure that I fulfill my commitments to the organization to which I am volunteering, as well as my commitments in my personal and professional life. This is quite the balancing act and I find that the three often have some common themes and overlap. However, I resolve this year to keep the three separate and dedicate the appropriate and pre-determined amount of time to each!

So, that’s the list for this year. I’m sure that there are many, many more I should add, but I’m trying to be realistic (see resolutions 1, 3 and 4.) With that, I wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.