New Years Resolutions

Well, the year 2008 is a whole 6 days old now and I thought it was a good time to put some resolutions down in writing. I usually don't do this... you see I kinda constantly think about the things I need to do better, so making resolutions at new years isn't something particuarly special for me. And it doesn't really make me any more likely to follow through with them, but hey... Gotta have something to write in a blog right? Anyway, my resolutions this year aren't only my own. My squad leader and I sat down the other day and had a long talk about things he thought I could be doing better. So my resolutions have also been somewhat imposed upon me by the military. Anyway apparently I need to work on developing leadership qualities. I personally am not sure if I want to be a leader, especially not the type of leader I usually see in the military, but I have noticed that sometimes, when I need to tell another Marine what to do, they will argue with me and try to get out of it. I know it's important for me to act in certain ways that will earn the trust and respect of others.... But that's an entirely different thing in the millitary world than it is in the civillian world, and I can't bring myself to act in a way that isn't me. All my life, I've tried to be a friendly likeable guy, I like to think I succeed most of the time, but friendlieness and kindness aren't always the best traits for a millitary leader to have. They aren't always repected traits and people may take advantage of them. I have a hard time yelling and screaming at people, and when I do yell and scream it usually comes out more like a temper tantrum than intimidating. The fact of the matter is, I don't think I'll ever be able to intimidate people into obedience. But I don't believe I need to. Intimidation isn't the only way to earn respect, and it's not even the best way, in truth repect from intimidation usually lacks trust. I know I've earned the trust and respect of a few people by being friendly and etc. But there's also quite a lot of people I think who don't really have much trust or respect for me, and being friendly with them isn't going to get me any further. I need to find a happy medium so I've decided I'm going to take particular note of people I know who I think are good leaders. Who get the job done, and people respect them, trust them and obey them without resistance. I want to see how they do it and see what I can do to adapt that to me. The person I think who is the best example right now for is is my Platoon Commander. He seems to get the trust and respect of everyone, but I've never seem him lose his cool. He can be firm without being degrading or rude and he is an overall likeable person, I think, if I need to be a leader... That is the type of leader I want to be, I'm going to try and learn all I can.... Aside from that, I also resolve to work out more (pretty typical), renew contact with some old friends I haven't talked to in a long time and... eat more ice cream... Yeah, that's about it. Well got to get going. Maybe if anyone else ever decides to write on this blog they can share some resolutions too.