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New Rules - Really Simple Resolutions

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA

New Years  ResolutionsI got into a bit of a rant this afternoon and decided to turn my frustration into resolutions. 

Really easy resolutions.

Simple things we can all do to make the world a more pleasant place - so we'll all be happier and more serene.  And if we're happier and calmer we probably will be a lot less likely to need a cigarette, to drink too much or eat too much.  We'll be nicer to our family and friends.  We'll be more productive at work.

We won't need any more resolutions.

Probably most of you already do these things.  But some of us don't. 

So - for the person whose coffee cup I picked up in the street this morning - this list's for you.  For the guy who sped by and drenched me as I stood on the sidewalk - here's a few resolutions for you.  For the person talking on their cell phone this afternoon while the counterperson tried to take their coffee order - time to turn over a new leaf. 

Here's how.

 

I will not litter.  I will not throw my scratch tickets on the ground even if they're not winners.  I'll find a pocket for that empty cigarette pack.  I'll keep my coffee cup until I find a trash barrel - even if it's the wastebasket in my own house.

I will hold doors open for others.  And stop pretending that I don't realize they're behind me.

I will thank the person who holds a door open for me.  Even if I secretly think that they live to serve me.

I will let people out in traffic.  Even though it's not their turn.  Even though I've been stuck in this traffic jam for ages and they're just leaving the gas station or parking lot.

I will thank people who let me out into traffic.  Even though they are just giving me my due I will wave wildly - more than once - so they are sure to know that I have thanked them.

I will not run red lights.  Or stop signs.  Even when nobody is coming the other way.

I will always use my blinkers.  I will use my blinkers to signal an upcoming turn, not to explain why I just stepped on the brakes.  I will use my directionals when I'm waiting to be let into traffic so the drivers will know where I'm going.  I will use my directionals so that the person behind me realizes that this is a left-turn lane and doesn't discover it only when my car pulls forward revealing the left turn only arrow painted on the road.  If my wheels will be turning my blinker will be flashing.

I will put on my headlights when it is raining.  Or foggy.  Or dark for that matter.

I will not use my local streets as speedways.  No matter how appealing the straightaway.  Even though I'm in a hurry.  Even though I have this big, hulking powerful machine and the ads make it look like so much fun.

I will keep my eyes on the road when behind the wheel.  Not on my phone.  Not on my lunch.  Nor my newspaper.

I will stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk.  But not for pedestrians who have a Don't Walk signal even if it is a crosswalk - that would be stupid.  They will get their turn.  And I will not gun my engine when they're just barely out of reach.

I will be a good pedestrian.  If I'm in a crosswalk I will not dawdle.  If I jaywalk I will do so only if nobody is coming.  And I will make it snappy.

New Year KittenI will obey the rules of the road when I am on my bicycle. Even though I really want to have it all ways I will accept that I can only have it one way.  And even if some crazy, misguided legislators made riding two or three abreast allowable I will not do so.  Because it is rude.

I will give up my seat on the bus or subway to my elders. And to pregnant women. To anybody, no matter their age, who looks like they might otherwise keel over.  And I will not bury my head in my book in order to pretend that I do not see them.

I will only use my phone when appropriate. Not in the movie theater - even if the movie hasn't started.  Not at the counter or cash register when others are waiting on me or waiting for me.  Not in church.  Not in class.  Not in the office meeting.

 

I will make the world a better place.  One small act of common decency and courtesy at a time.

 

Comments (24)

Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind
KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ
Broker/Owner

GOOD MORNING LIZ!  I love these types of goals - you have such a beautiful "human nature" about you!  I especially like the "letting people in to traffic" one - I am amazed at how many people won't do that!  If I see that someone has been waiting and waiting - especially at construction areas - I usually stop and then let them and everyone else behind them in!  Happy New Year Liz - it's been a treat to read your posts and I look forward to all that you bring us in 2010. -- Gab

Dec 30, 2009 10:18 PM
Joan Zappa
Eagles Wings Realty - Montrose, CO
Professional treatment of our clients, brings awes

Here's one I will do, not talk on my cell while driving becauseI am texting on my wifes phone at the same time.

Just Kidding

Dec 31, 2009 01:13 AM
Susan Brown
Keller Williams NE, Kingwood Texas (Humble & Atascocita too) - Kingwood, TX

Liz - Great list!  And I can follow MOST of your items except I don't think I'm ready to let people out in traffic if it's not their turn...I'm just saying... LOL.  Happy New Year Liz!

Dec 31, 2009 03:16 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Nice list, Liz. Just think--perhaps you've inspired some people to follow these, and their example will cause more people to act on them, and their actions will .......  What a way to begin 2010!

Happy New Year!

Dec 31, 2009 03:33 AM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Happy New Year to all!

Hi John ~ Me? I do just about all of them already - maybe a couple of exceptions (but I'm not gonna confess which ones!!)

Hi Jeff ~ It's really more a list of my pet peeves - not my shortcomings!

Hi Dan ~ Too funny! Tomorrow's a day to kick back I think.

Hi Gabrielle ~ I do tend to let people in but it absolutely kills me when they don't acknowledge it.  I fall all over myself waving when I'm let in to make sure the other person sees me.

Hi Nick ~ Another great addition to the list!

Hi Susan ~ It is something I struggle with - especially if they start nosing out. It blew my mind the other day - one of the bad holiday days for traffic and I'd been stuck in it for ages (and let several people out as we inched along).  A guy pulling out of a gas station kept pulling forward and then honked at me for not giving him his guaranteed spot in front of me.  I "waved" at him for sure.

Hi Lottie ~ Wouldn't it be nice if we all started doing the little nice things?  So easy with such a nice result. 

Have a great holiday everybody!

Liz

Dec 31, 2009 05:05 AM
Judy Jennings
Top Agent Plus - Middleboro, MA
Tap into Judy's real estate expertise & resources.

Liz - Come on, you already do all these things! However, not everyone is so thoughtful and sometimes needs a little reminder, so thank you for that. A little common courtesy can go a very long way and takes very little effort. Have a very Happy New Year!

Dec 31, 2009 05:30 AM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Judy ~ I toyed with the idea of calling it Resolutions for the Rest of You - ha! but I didn't.  Common courtesy seems to have gone by the by and it would be great if everybody would resolve to bring it back.  This post will be my last rant of 2009! Have a wonderful holiday / day off.

Liz

Dec 31, 2009 06:05 AM
Irene Tron
Valparaiso, IN

Good for you - turning someone else's negatives into positive things for yourself.  Great outlook.  Happy New Year!

Dec 31, 2009 11:39 AM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

I found my travel on the San Diego Trolley yesterday very telling. The trains were packed with everyone going to the San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade, the San Diego International Auto Show, and the Holiday Bowl. The folks from Arizona and Nebraska were mixed in with San Diegans. I was born and raised in the South, and my wise old grandmother taught me to stand up and offer my seat to anyone of the female gender, as well as the elderly or handicapped. People here in San Diego, excepting me, don't do that. If you get a seat, well, it's yours. First come, first serve. Arizona people were the same as San Diego people: "My seat and I'm not getting up for anyone until my stop."

Now those Nebraska people? Totally different story. All the Nebraska women and girls were sitting and their men and boys were standing. In some cases, even the Nebraska women were standing if it meant that an elderly person or handicapped person could sit down. I stood all the way to and all the way from, and my knees are telling me so today. Nonetheless, I'd do it again until I become one of those elderly or handicapped.

Happy New Year!

Dec 31, 2009 12:28 PM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Irene ~ I had fun with this for sure - all my pet peeves in one manifesto.

Hi Russel ~ I figured as I wrote this that behaviors would vary by region.  That's so interesting to be able to see the differences in one place. Right on to Nebraska! And you! And I'm with you - I often think when I bend over to pick up litter that at least I can still bend over - and get back up!  And yes - sometimes I feel it in my back the next day too.  Happy new year to you and yours.

Liz

Dec 31, 2009 12:34 PM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Liz - I love your new rules.  I hope you have a Happy & Healthy New Year!

Jan 01, 2010 04:37 AM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Thanks Michelle! Happy New Year to you too! I love these days that give us a rock-solid excuse for a day off.

Liz

Jan 01, 2010 06:47 AM
Kathleen Ann Pacheco-Corbett
(FIRST Exclusive Buyer's Office Providence-RI) - Providence, RI
Realtor, RI-MA, CEBA, Master, e-Pro, ABR, ABRM, GR

new yearLIZ:What a great post of courtesy reminders and yes, great safety road tips,Perhaps there would be less road rage if more drivers were more thoughtful considerate and courteous in their driving actions. Our area in Ma and RI are notorious for flipping the bird and yelling vulgarities, Let's keep sending these reminders, but I feel we are talking to the choir.

Jan 01, 2010 11:21 AM
Mari Montgomery
Mari Realty - Huntsville, TX
Mari Realty

You know, I hope this doesn't make me sound like a "goodie two-shoes" but I do these things.  I even take the cart back to the right place even if there are 20 other carts in the parking lot in the wrong place.  The times I didn't this year were twice when my foot that I broke a year and a half ago was really hurting.  I'm surely not bragging.  I think I have a long way to go to help make the world a better place.  But at least now my carbon footprint is smaller because I don't fume everyday in a job I don't enjoy.  I am a Happy Realtor!

Jan 01, 2010 03:33 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Very funny post, Liz.  I can relate to absolutely all of them, especially the pedestrians.  I would add that I will not back over a pedestrian who hits my car because I gave them a look for stepping into the street in front of me.

Jan 01, 2010 10:52 PM
Diane Rice
Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL
SFR, SRES, CNC

Hi Liz!  Thanks for the eye opener for all of us this year!  Now, let me ask you... do you have just a little bitty tiny weenie itsy bitsy bit of "speed-demon" in ya?  (smile)  Happy NEW Year!

Jan 02, 2010 04:52 AM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Kathleen ~ Love your new years greeting! You know, I started thinking about that recent "happiness survey" that was talked about here. All the NE states ended up at the bottom which to me seemed absurd.  But maybe if everybody acted a little better towards everybody else we'd be happier (assuming we're not and it's just not a case of disliking stupid surveys). Maybe.

Hi Mari ~ I do 'em too and I just think they're very simple things.  And yes - I bring my cart to the carrel too!  And  real estate is the one and only job I've ever had where everybody is happy to go to work every day.

Hi Jane ~ That's the spirit!!  Even though we're so tempted right?

Hi Diane ~ Ha! Actually I'm not really.  And my biggest pet peeve is city speeding. It's so much worse than highway speeding and yet I guess studies show you're far more likely to get a ticket on the highway.

Jan 02, 2010 09:34 AM
C. Lloyd McKenzie
Living Albuquerque - Albuquerque, NM
Living Albuquerque

Elizabeth

You have a way of bringing out the best in others.  I shared your blog with my fiance tonight, and we both agreed that it was outstanding.  I practice all but one.  Last night I actually answered my cell phone while at the movies.  That was inappropriate.  Some time ago my son shared a speech given by a now famous valedictorian from MIT.  It was such an interesting speech I took many pieces out of it to heart.  For example, when someone sneezes, I always say bless you; I always floss, I always say please when I ask for anything, and thank you when I get it.  Thanks for sharing.  Have a great year!

Jan 02, 2010 04:31 PM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Lloyd ~ Thanks!  As agents we do tend to bend the phone rule that's for sure. The cost of missing that call is just so high.  Here's to a great 2010!

Liz

Jan 02, 2010 05:25 PM
Gerry Khatchikian
Red Lodge, MT
ASA, TRC, SFR

Liz,

One month has gone by already in 2010 but although I am a little late, I did enjoy reading the simplified resolutions and yes, those are much easier and meaningful to achieve.   Have a great remainder of the year!

Feb 01, 2010 07:55 AM