Aiming Low

Aiming Low

Each year, I make a few New Year’s resolutions. Over the years, I’ve found that I am most successful when my resolutions are simple, measurable, and easy to manage. Examples include: arrive five minutes early for all appointments; eat one serving of fruit every day; call my mom once a week.

Mind you, I pick only one a year – no use exhausting myself. I pair it with the standards of spending more time with people whom I love and spending less time with people who don’t love me. More time with my mom, less time surfing the net, more time reading, less time eating mindlessly in front of the refrigerator.

One year I decided it was time to start flossing. My dentist would be pleased.

I happened to be working in San Francisco in a rather visible position with a major bank at the time. I was one of a half-dozen women who a glossy, lifestyles magazine selected to interview for an article on what top female executives set as new year’s goals. Thinking that the article was personal and a fluff piece, I didn’t consult with our public relations or legal departments. I simply took the reporter’s call and had a nice chat.

Imagine my surprise when I read my resolution to “floss” set in black and white and contrasted nicely against the other women who resolved to start nonprofits to fight breast cancer, cure AIDS, battle illiteracy, and several other worthy and lofty goals.

I called each of the other five women and offered them my support. No one seemed eager to accept it. Perhaps they thought I had my hands full what with flossing and all…

I did receive a lifetime supply of dental floss from many and varied sources. I still have some, if anyone is running short!