Matthew Knott

New Years resolutions are a tad cliché so I didn't make any. With no goals comes the inability to fail. I am however setting down some general guidelines I hope to abide by, soft goals, aspirational targets, call them what you will.

New Years resolutions are a tad cliché so I didn't make any. With no goals comes the inability to fail. I am however setting down some general guidelines I hope to abide by, soft goals, aspirational targets, call them what you will.

1. Work harder

It fairly obvious to me, and therefore all the more frustrating, that I am responsible for the bulk of the woe in my life. One thing that gets me down is that I don't feel like I'm delivering the quality and quantity of work that I should be. Sometimes this is through the monotony associated with SharePoint development, mainly it's due to distractions.

So this year, more concentration, and a more concerted effort to create a wall of obliviousness around me. In the last 3 days I was in work, with many people off, I made real, important progress, and I still feel great about that. I want that to continue through next year.

2. Create a business plan

One of the things I really want to do is make a go of my own business developing bespoke webparts for SharePoint. I can do the work, I just need a plan and some clients, but I'll start with the plan. There's no rush to complete and with a baby coming who knows what the future will bring, but it's something I need to aim for.

3. Leave less until the last minute 

At night, most nights, I go to sleep dwelling on regrets, about things I haven't posted, cars I haven't sold yet *, things I haven't changed the address on still. It's a lifelong habit so I doubt I can conquer it in 2010 but I want to bear it in mind and TRY to do better.

* Okay, I have one car I want to sell but haven't gotten round to doing.

4. Be a better husband

I think I'm a pretty good husband at the minute, as husbands go, but there are definite areas for improvement, just things that I don't like my attitude towards or level of involvement in.

I need to get more stuck in with the taking of dirty laundry downstairs, and the loading of the dishwasher. I'm pretty good with the cooking and baby care, but there are things I really need to change with my moods and temper flaring up.

5. Swear less

Letting a swear word slip in front of one pair of ears is bad enough, but in front of two, well, the odds are too high that one of them will be saying "shit" when the knock their blocks over. Mainly happens when driving, so people, stay away form me in the car.