CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Happy New Year Team Charleston! As we begin 2008, many of us will make resolutions. I think it's good to set goals in the areas in our lives where we want change. Losing weight, improving fitness, stoping smoking, getting promoted and other goals are good for us. However, even with the best of intentions, we often falter after a few weeks. The efforts of even the strong seem to trickle off and we find ourselves back where we started. Why is that? Short of not making any resolutions at all, how do we hold fast and press forward to our goals?
I think the answers lie in our willingness to adjust our thinking to overcome our undesirable circumstances. As military members we live in a culture where Air Force Smart Operations 21 is a way of life. It challenges us to constantly look at our processes with fresh eyes and develop smart ways to improve them. Secretary of the Air Force, Michael W. Wynne says, "AFSO21 will take the Air Force forward in a journey of self-improvement." I believe smart operations equates to smart thinking and smart thinking should not only apply to our work, but it should also apply to our lives. That includes those personal areas where we want and sometimes need self-improvement. AFSO21 is a journey into higher quality and better performance. Isn't that what we want when we make New Year resolutions?
When it comes to resolutions, let's face it, we all know why we keep missing the mark. Excuses aside -- we fall short because we fail to commit to the kind of thinking that motivates us to follow through. For example, to lose weight we have to make a lifestyle change in the way we view and consume food. To improve our fitness level, again, what is required is a commitment to change our idea of the exercise routine that will make us successful enough to meet our goal. Doing the same thing without adjustments yields the same results. Your resolution should include a hard look at your situation with fresh eyes so you can develop a smart way to improve it.
Bottom-line, applied smartly, AFSO21 can work as effectively with our personal goals as it does with our organizational goals. Around the base there is evidence of the success we have had with our lean initiatives. Give it a try and see how smart thinking can help with those New Year resolutions. I think you will see that a true commitment to change will help make those resolutions a reality.
Congratulations to our January promotees. What a way to begin a new year. You are prepared and equipped and we know you will do great things to help improve your units. Special recognition goes to our three Stripes for Exceptional Performers promotees. The packages submitted and presentations were all great. Col Millander and I found it difficult making our selections. They were from the 437th Mission Support Squadron, Master Sgt. Julie Brannan, from the 437th Operations Support Squadron, Technical Sgt. Saulo Barros, from the 437th Aerial Port Squadron and Technical Sgt. Justin Halterman.
Team Charleston - Take the Fight to the Enemy