The tutor comments on a New Year’s resolution that surprises him.

Since before New Year’s, I’ve been asking people what their New Year’s resolution might be. Hardly anyone committed to one; what I remember is being told “I don’t make resolutions.” Of course, a couple of my students resolved to perform better at their courses, but I fear that was just for my benefit.

Not satisfied with my own poll, I found a top-ten New Year’s resolutions list at statisticbrain.com. The first resolution – weight loss – I’d predicted.

Number 2 on the list – “getting organized” – surprises me. I don’t hear people talking about how being disorganized is problematic for them. Interestingly, it is a criticism I hear one person saying about another. Perhaps many who criticize others for it also see it in themselves.

While weight loss is an obvious focus, a resolution to get organized suggests subtle reflection. Being number 2 on the list, many people must be suspecting that they could perform better in life, not by looking better or even being better, but by managing their resources better. I’m impressed by the wisdom of this point of view.

Very often, you hear that North Americans are sliding backwards, drowning in TV and self-absorption. However, in my experience, the nameless “typical” person you pass in the grocery store is just as likely intelligent and well informed. While probably not academic, they do understand life. Their perspective is usually enlightening.

I’ll be talking more about the resolution of “getting organized” in future posts:)

Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.