McCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- An age-old tradition of the New Year is to make resolutions. It is believed that the Babylonians were the first to make New Year's resolutions, and people all over the world have been breaking them ever since. Early Christians reserved the first day of the year to reflect on past mistakes and resolve to improve in the New Year.
With the start of the 2008, I challenge you to develop resolutions that support your personal and professional goals. This process will give you an opportunity to evaluate your past decisions and actions and move forward to reach objectives you deem important.
I had the opportunity to attend a meeting of the Fourth Air Force Command Chiefs hosted by Chief Maser Sgt. Patricia Thornton, 4th AF command chief. She briefed the group on her expectations and goals for the coming year. While briefing us, she dispensed some sage advice, "Get comfortable being uncomfortable."
To reach your goals, you have to accept challenges that take you out of your comfort zone. Whether trying something new or striving to better yourself, you may experience a sense of incompetence or ineptness. Although this is an uncomfortable feeling, it is definitely not life threatening. A tenacious spirit and commitment to your goal will help you through this awkward period. In fact, the sense of accomplishment you gain from meeting and overcoming a challenge contributes to personal growth.
If you look at people who have achieved great success, you will find some common attributes. No matter what their ethnicity, gender, economic status, education or upbringing, they all possess strong determination and have clear goals. They embrace principles that help them carry on in the face of difficult or uncertain circumstances.
The principles we embrace as Reservists are the Air Force Core Values: Integrity First, Service before Self and Excellence in All We Do. The core values provide us with guidance to help us achieve our goals. Actions and decisions based on the tenets of the core values are certain to point you in a positive direction.
You, as a member of the 446th Airlift Wing, are an integral contributor in our wing accomplishments and future successes. By individually resolving to develop personally and professionally, you help make us even stronger ,and better able to tackle the challenges of the New Year.