Progress Report on New Year’s Resolutions

This year I decided to use the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions as catalyst for becoming a better world citizen. I wrote a post pointing out a few personal changes I made in 2008 and my resolutions for 2009.

One quarter into the year, it’s time to grade myself on my progress.

2009 Resolutions:

1. Connect more with people of diverse backgrounds

Since attending St. Louis BarCamp in December, I have become an avid user of Twitter.

St. Louis Bar Camp at Cabin Inn Bar
See Flickr set of Social Media pictures

My twitter followers have become trusted resources and local tweetups have turned many of them into real life friends. I purposely started following some local twitterers that have different racial/ethnic/religious backgrounds from me. Still, I could do a lot better. The tweetup attendance has been a pretty Caucasian group. I’m not sure how I’m going to make this resolution a reality, but I’m going to keep working on it.

2. Help connect people with jobs

I haven’t gotten anyone a job yet, but I’ve been doing my part trying to connect people I know with someone that might help. My May 2008 college grad nephew was looking for a job, and I contacted my former clients who worked in industries that interested him. He finally found a job on his own and moved up to Kalamazoo last month.

I’m still working on connecting my lawyer cousin Jeff who is back in school adding another degree so he can go after a .NET software job. I’ve got a few twitter friends ready to talk to him.

3. Support independent restaurants and businesses

I’ve been most successful at this resolution. I’ve been actively seeking out independent, and hopefully smoke-free, restaurants. I also published posts on independent smoke-free restaurants and local farmer’s markets to get them some additional exposure.

Winslow’s Home is a locally owned general store and cafe in University City
See more Winslow Home Pictures

I love coffee shops and have been going after the small local ones lately rather than always ending up at Bread Co (Panera Bread for those of you not in St. Louis). I even chose the locally owned Moolah Temple movie theater (with leather couches and a real bar) the last time I went for a big screen evening.

4. Use my reusable bags at more than just the grocery store

I’m pretty good about using my 2 reusable grocery bags that I bought for a dollar each when I go to the grocery, but I just felt silly taking them into the mall or Best Buy. So, I just bought a new tote bag that folds up to to size of a small wallet. I used it for the first time this weekend when I went shopping at the University City Farmer’s market.

5. Donate money every month to a worthy charity

Ok, I’m definitely behind on this one. I did adopt a child for the NCJW Back to School Store and used this blog to promote the event. Please join me in helping 950 deserving kids go back to school excited about learning. Everything from the $150 child sponsorship to $1 donations are appreciated!

But, I didn’t make a donation EVERY month this year. I’m 3 months behind. Watch for a post in the next week highlighting my latest charity donations as I get back on track.

All in all, I give myself a B+ since I’m making good progress on all of my goals, but have lots of room for improvement.

How have YOU been doing on your resolutions?

Possibly Related Posts:

1. 2009 Resolutions to Build a Better Community

Tagged as: Charities