I haven’t made a New Year’s Resolution in many years. My last one was to never again make a New Year’s Resolution. I am holding to that by creating an Early Resolution (TM) – well, several. This is more to give me goals to strive for within 2010 but also to keep myself acknowledged on my achievements so I can reflect, see what I did, and set the following year’s goals. I have already posted a few on Twitter, but wanted to put this out there as my personal checklist.

Last year, I gave myself the goal of wanting to speak on technical topics more publicly. I was happy to present at Microsoft TechDays here in Winnipeg with an Introduction to ASP.NET MVC on December 16.

Little did I know I would be speaking to around 100 people on this topic. For a novice speaker, a little intimidating, but gratifying. (It seems no one knew my laptop crapped out the night before and my demo was thrown together 9 hours before the presentation.)

But this gave me a step forward to help with my 2010 Early Resolutions.

• A better balance between personal and work life. I have a tendency to work too hard, to be a perfectionist, and let the personal life slide. Sometimes working so hard I make myself ill – like today as I write this. This will be corrected in the new year.
• Be a better motivator and coach rather than a boss. Instead of dictating everything, work more in collaboratively. Listen. Not get upset. Build up the team environment rather then the “US vs. THEM” mentality. I’ve read a few great books on leadership recently (reviews pending) and it inspires me more as to the kind of leader I want to be.
• Speak more. I have already committed (and been accepted) to 2 presentations at DevTeach in Mississauga in March (one on SketchFlow and another on jQuery). I am planning on doing a presentation at the Winnipeg Code Camp in February (topic TBD). I am considering putting together a few abstracts to submit to MIX (one of the largest web conferences). Speaking means you know your stuff, and this forces me to become knowledgeable in these areas.
• Become more proficient in new technologies. My day-to-day is no longer coding, but I need to know what’s out there. We are becoming, more and more, of a full service provider to our clients so we need to know what’s out there and what is available. As an analyst, I need to know to provide options and direction. I need a stronger pulse on what’s going on in industry.
• Read more “inspirational” books. To me, these are more business biographies and stories, either about the company or the person. Some of the most interesting I have read have nothing to do with technology, but the practices within are invaluable. I want to read at least one per month (on average). Recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Well, that’s my starting point. They are all somewhat tech oriented, and I am sure that more will come up. But this is a nice starting point. It gives me something to move forward to.

As it is now the 22nd and I still have to finish my gift shopping, I leave now, wishing everyone a great holiday (regardless of what you celebrate) and hope to post much more frequently in the future.