Before beginning my term as a Challenge Detroit fellow, I worked at a consulting firm in the San Francisco Bay Area.  The CEO of the company was a brilliant woman, who took time out of her busy schedule each Wednesday morning to sit down with the other members of the Consultant Development Program and myself.  Throughout our time together, she shared with us funny stories, practical business tips, and general life advice.  One of my favorite lessons learned was the principal of  the “Bus Rule.”

Essentially, the Bus Rule is this: you should live each day of your life so that if tomorrow you get hit by a bus, you will die happy and with no regrets, but, if tomorrow you don’t get hit by a bus, you will still also be happy with your life.  The Bus Rule suggests moderation.  It means that you should call your mom and tell her you love her often, and it means you should play hooky to go to a Tigers playoff game with your friends, it means you should splurge on that trip to Australia; it also means you should eat your vegetables, keep some semblance of a budget, sleep a full eight hours from time to time, and try your hardest at work.

It is with the Bus Rule in mind that I am setting my New Years Resolutions for 2014.  Do you set resolutions?  Do you stick to them?  In 2013, I meant to run a marathon and read a book each week — check and check.  I also, however, meant to be more optimistic and to be nicer — unclear and unclear.

Through Challenge Detroit, I’ve learned to set SMART goals.  SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.  Unfortunately, my latter two resolutions for 2013 were not specific or measurable.

For 2014, however, I have a handful of SMART goals that also take the Bus Rule into account (which I am now posting to cyberspace so the world can hold me accountable!)

1) Join the Marathon Maniacs by completing the Toledo Marathon and the Lansing Marathon

2) Practice yoga at least once a week, in Detroit

3) Attend at least one Detroit Soup event

4) Once the snow is gone, bike to work (12 miles, approximately, from Detroit to Pleasant Ridge) at least one time

5) Read three books pertaining to Detroit (history, culture, future, etc.)

And, just for fun, here are the resolutions I wish Detroit would commit to in 2014

1) Open a froyo shop

2) Open a paint your own pottery shop

3) Open a BYOB restaurant

4) Expand Bangkok Crossing‘s hours to include SUNDAYS (this is mostly a joke…but it would make me very happy!)

5) Create more downtown living options so that more young people can get down to the city!  I love that downtown living occupancy is hovering around 99%, but let’s get more development going so more people can join in the fun!