Written by CMSgt LugoSantiago

If you read the title of this post, you may have thought it was misspelled. But it wasn't; I really meant "Revolutions" vice the other word "Resolutions." The first time I heard these words were back about three years ago when a good mentor (Chief Bob Vasquez...see www.heirpower.com) invited me to a transformation in the New Year. Well, there is a considerable difference between these two spectrums of words: resolutions and revolutions.            

How many times over this year alone have you heard about the so called, "New Year's resolutions"? Ok, let me take you back in time. Most of us grew up with this notion of New Year's resolutions, and we know how this ends up! Examples abound..."This year I will ___." We can fill up the words with "go to the gym...be fit...finish my degree...spend more time at home...learn a language...travel to.... Whatever the wish, it turns to be a strong wish we perform for some time, but then the winds of life come our way and we divert. Don't worry. This year, let's create a revolution....more than a wish, this will be a transformation!            

A revolution is what we want this coming year...Hooah! I just looked up the word "revolution" in Dictionary.com: "A radical or pervasive change..." (Radical = fundamental; Pervasive = to become spread throughout all parts.)  So what we're after this year is a fundamental change that will permeate throughout all parts of our lives. Most definitedly, it has to be fundamental because this will be the only way that you will be able to make lasting changes. This change has to transform all your areas of your life...touch the people around you, who will help you gain the strength and commitment to the change.            

Here are a few things you can do this year and the coming year...maybe right after you're done celebrating and throwing out fireworks. Do the following (CAUTION: What you're about to read may transform your life!).

- DECIDE what you want to do. Do not try to solve world hunger. Stick to three or four fundamental goals that will encompass the whole person concept (preferrably one goal per area): Spiritual, Family, Professional/personal, AFSA (of course!), Fitness, Unit, Flag.

- HOW? Think about who's going to help you get there (find a mentor or several), know what the end-state is going to look like...be clear about the end-state.

- DIVIDE & CONQUER. Take the big tasks and divide them in small objectives...small measurable objectives.

- ORGANIZE & SET TIMELINES. Buy a calendar and jot these goals with timelines, so you can check your progress. Do this, not only for a month, but schedule it for the entire year.

- CELEBRATE! Everytime you get to one of your smaller goals, take the time to celebrate (add the celebration part to your calendar). Yes, make a Party, go eat out, do something you like to do!

- JUST DO IT! Is there anything else to add? This sums it up...a plan without action is...Yes, you guessed it, a waste of time. It's all about execution...test your will--Hooah!            

I invite you this year to develop your New Year Revolutions! I further invite you to a REVOLUTION...and by the way, get a few people with you, so you can achieve a REVOLUTION of the masses. And if you need more motivation, just call me! Good luck and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Always Motivated, Chief LugoSantiago 

President, Division 16 (Europe)
Air Force Sergeants Association

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