New Year’s Resolutions

It’s that time of the year when people make New Year’s resolutions. You know the ones like I will lose 10 pounds or I will quit smoking or I am going to try to be a better person. The list of things people come up with as New Year’s resolutions are endless.

You probably made one but, the question is, will you keep yours?

It is great to make these resolutions. They inspire us to make the changes in our lives that we want to see. However, they often fall flat.

• Is it because it was just something you said so you could say you had one?
• Was it just an impractical wish?
• Why are so many New Year’s resolutions meeting the big DEAD END?
• Are they things you want or not?
• If so, what is stopping you from having them?
• Why can’t you lose those 10 pounds, quit smoking or be a better person, etc?
• Does setting resolutions put too much pressure on you that you just feel it can’t be done?

What if one of your resolutions this year was to help your HIMSS chapter host a state advocacy day?  Is this something you have wanted to do in past years, but just felt it was too much work or if you attempted it, it might result in failure? 

What if I tell you that your New Year’s resolution to host a state HIT day does not have to fail?  Isn’t that great? Jessica Martin and I are here to help you host a successful HIMSS state advocacy day. 

This does not have to be the year you made a New Year’s resolution and failed.  This doesn’t have to be the year where you say, “Oh well, maybe next year.”

If you are one of those HIMSS Chapter Advocates who have resolved to help host a HIMSS State Health IT day in your state, we are here to help make that resolution come true. If you are one of those chapter advocates who have already begun your planning for a state HIT day, good for you. As Confucius said, “If you have decided on the destination, you have completed half the journey.” 

A state HIT day provides HIMSS members the opportunity to build effective partnerships and relationships with state and local officials.  Since 2006, HIMSS chapters have hosted 37 state HIT days, so it is something that can be done, and is done, very successfully. 

Hundreds of your fellow HIMSS members have participated in these state advocacy days and many more will participate in these activities in 2011.  Ten chapters have already indicated they will be hosting state advocacy days this coming year, which will include meeting with their state legislators as well as other state officials.

Two events are already scheduled for the early months of 2011. 

• On January 26, 2011, the four HIMSS chapters in Texas will be co-hosting the Texas HIT Forum at the Texas State Capitol Extension Auditorium
• In Virginia on February 1, 2011, the chapter will be hosting, Virginia State Advocacy Day.

While I am attending these health IT events in the state capitals, I will be using this blog to inform HIMSS members how HIMSS volunteers are educationg their state officials about HIMSS and our vision to advance the best use of information technology and management systems for the betterment of healthcare.

If you are one of the HIMSS Chapter Advocates who has made that resolution to help your chapter host a state advocacy day, please contact me at Tkeefe@himss.org or Jessica Martin at JMartin@himss.org for assistance.

We will be happy to help make your  New Year’s resolution come true this year.