You ARE The Brute Squad
It is a rare person who has not viewed the 1987 masterpiece of filmmaking, The Princess Bride. It typically brings forth immediate quotes not just because of the memorable acting but the exceptional writing – which is poignant without being brash.
Toward the end in the final rescue, hero Wesley who is recovering from being mostly dead, asks two simple questions of his companion: “What are our liabilities? And our assets?”
This interrogation has stuck with me since the first time I watched this movie, perhaps 35 years ago and certainly on a VHS cassette tape. I have used this approach dozens of times to plan the solution of problems both large and small; it forces you to define the problem and take stock of the available resources. Before commencing.
End of Year is a common time for stating new resolutions. Its as good a time as any. But how can that be done without the effort to review what went before and was likely the genesis for those resolutions? Or to be more clear: how can you start new business without closing out old business?
Like most people, I work better with directions. So here is a 2 page document you can print out to guide you through the process. I don’t subscribe to “life hacks,” “The 7.5 Successful Habits of Wolves” or any of that rot.1 This is succinct, simple and unbreakable.
Directions
n.b. If you have a spouse or someone you make life decisions with this is an ideal task for the two of you to go through together.
Since we think linearly in our minds, from beginning to end, start back in January.
Summarize in the Good and Bad fields being brief. “Car wreck” and “New car” is a illustrative example.
The Theme field is important because it invites you to analyze the things you characterized as good and bad and, if possible, deduce an overall principle or emotion.
Skip what you don’t remember or cannot answer and do this without guilt. Hey it is a tool made for you, you’re not made for it.
Take as long as necessary. In fact, I suggest breaking it into two evenings so you have time to reflect upon things in the interim. You may even change some answers.
Once you feel it is complete, you have a framework to really list out some goals that aren’t emotionally based but instead, anchored in the previous 12 months of your life. Use the Themes fields to fill in the final box of 2025 Goals.
Easy, isn’t it? Well probably not if you do it right because it requires some self examination and honesty.
Disclaimer!
This is not a facet of my professional expertise but logical thinking is a requirement in my field. So if this works to aid you, fantastic. If not, thanks for reading my blog just the same. Either way I offer you my sincere wishes for a successful 2025.
All things are ready if our minds be so. – William Shakespeare, Henry V
Most of these are clever marketing schemes wrapped in fake success stories to sell you something you don’t need. Intentionality and structured thinking comes for free.