How less can be more in 2021
Plus: Top Charlotte news of the week
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Column: Instead of starting the year off with impossible resolutions, try doing less.
Make a game of your New Year’s resolutions if you want them to stick. (Brett Jordan/Unsplash)
By Colleen Brannan
It’s that time of year again when we’re struggling to do things differently based on promises we made to ourselves as the ball dropped. A quick Google search says the most common New Year’s resolutions include doing more of something, from exercise and travel to saving money and spending time with family and friends.
While all noble pursuits, they all seem like Groundhog Day to me. Instead, I’ve decided to take a page from Gov. Roy Cooper, who wants us to do less. I’m calling it the “less is more” approach to change in the New Year. Here are my top 10 that perhaps will inspire your own:
1: Fewer contacts, more unidentified callers
Every New Year’s, I do a phone edit removing people who never should have made it into my contacts or others who are no longer in my life for one reason or another. Some of them are highly entertaining, like the Guy Brothers … Fence Guy, Estimate Guy and Gutter Guy.
Others are baffling, as I do not know who they are, and of course, there’s always the pain of coming across a former friend or deceased loved one. It’s very therapeutic to remove any unwanted contacts, so I resolve to continue this ritual and, of course, not answer any unidentified callers.
2. Fewer complaints, more compliments
One of my longtime hobbies is writing letters telling companies how they can do better after disappointing me in some way. This usually results in a gift card, coupon, miles and/or an apology from someone with a fancy title.
This new year, I’m taking my love for consumer complaints to a whole new level by complimenting consumer experiences — like when Dina, the American Airlines gate agent, helped my husband resolve his known traveler number issue when TSA couldn’t, or when Allison at Greystar helped me do a dorm lease by phone, line by line, when the website wasn’t working.
In both cases, their bosses got letters about their above-and-beyond customer service skills. This felt good, so I resolve to complain less and compliment more — or at least balance them one for one.
3. Less diet talk, more results
I’ve lost the same 10 pounds 10 times, so technically, I’ve lost 100 pounds. I’m sure my friends and family are tired of hearing about it. While weight loss will continue to be a goal in 2021, I resolve to do it quietly unless I achieve some dramatic results worthy of an IG post or reality show.
4. Fewer professional memberships, more professional development
This past year of virtual meetings made me realize I belong to way too many professional organizations and have very little time for my own professional development. The extra time, compliments of Covid, allowed me to pursue some professional bucket list items, like writing this column for The Ledger and earning my full real estate broker’s license after taking 150 hours of classes and passing state and national exams. I resolve to continue scaling back on memberships so there’s more time to learn new skills.
Next up: clay shooting!
5. Less skepticism, more faith
As your resident skeptic trained to poke holes in any story, I believe if it sounds too good to be true, then it is. I can’t even watch the local nightly news without wondering who sponsored the content.
Often, I think panhandlers might be actors who go jump in their Mercedes and drive to their McMansions after a long day of shaking down Charlotteans at busy intersections. I know this is not normal, so I resolve to be less skeptical and have more faith.
6. Less picking up tabs, more separate checks
By the looks of my credit card bill, I’ve bought everyone in Charlotte lunch or drinks at least twice. For some reason, when the server asks about the tab, I always get flustered and grab it for fear of an uncomfortable conversation about who had the iced tea vs. water. I resolve to start saying separate checks are fine, and I know my bank account will thank me.
7. Less liquor, more water
Covid certainly blurred traditional happy hour times and sometimes makes my patio seem like Selwyn Pub South at 4 p.m. on a Wednesday, six feet apart of course. All that drinking leads to major dehydration, so I resolve to drink more water. (Note I didn’t say I wasn’t drinking.)
8. Less time suckers, more free time
We all know people who try to monopolize our time with their constant calls, texts, drama, memes and election conspiracy theories. I often blame myself for responding, because then it continues, so I resolve to let those messages roll on by so I can reclaim that time for people I enjoy.
9. Less procrastination, more action
I am a big list maker and also a procrastinator when it comes to low-priority tasks, but that’s all about to change. Just this week, I linked my Harris Teeter VIC Card to Providence Day School after my kids have been there for seven years. Now, if only I could put holiday card addresses in a spreadsheet for labels instead of searching for them to handwrite at the same time every year. I resolve to start tackling these menial tasks with the same gusto given to big ones.
10. Less formal business attire, more stretchy waist bands
Frankly, with so many Zoom calls, I’ve forgotten how to dress for a business meeting, so when I do the occasional one in person, there’s a lot of angst about what to wear. With all the leggings and sneakers, one might think I’m athletic or sponsored by Lululemon and Nike (which I am open to if they are reading this). I hope formal business attire is a thing of the past, and I resolve not to stray from stretchy waistbands, even when the working world returns to normal.
Notice how none of these had to do with a Peloton or Dry January? As a professional communicator, I’ve decided it’s all in the pitch you make yourself to bring about lasting change. For me, any resolution that starts with “never” or “stop” will be broken the next day.
Instead, I am easing into it by doing certain things less to get more out of life. Try my way — but make it unique to you and see if it delivers better results in 2021. Now that I’ve given you the template, I’d love to hear your modified resolutions. Good luck!
Colleen Brannan owns BRANSTORM PR and uses her Gamecock journalism degree to write fun features like this. At deadline, she had already broken one resolution, though she wouldn’t say which one. Follow her on Instagram (Colleen_Brannan), Twitter (@colleenbrannan) and LinkedIn or send fan mail to colleen@branstorm.com.
Today’s supporting sponsor is Soni Brendle:
This week in Charlotte: Covid vaccine rolls out to seniors, McColl investment firm buys construction company and names city councilman as president; CMS data shows racial divide over who’s returning to classrooms; rapper DaBaby arrested on gun charges
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Politics
Local leaders respond to events at the U.S. Capitol: (WBTV) After a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday and forced Congress to evacuate, dozens of prominent North and South Carolina politicians, including N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper, Sen. Lindsey Graham, and S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster, condemned the violence and called for peaceful discourse, with some labeling it domestic terrorism.
Cooper extends stay-at-home order: (WCNC) N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper extended the statewide stay-at-home order, initially set to expire last Friday, for three more weeks, as the number of Covid cases remained at “alarming” levels.
Education
Racial breakdown of CMS students opting out of in-person learning: (WFAE) Data released by Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools show the racial breakdown among students opting for in-person classes versus virtual learning for the second semester. A quarter of white students have chosen the full remote option, compared to nearly half of Black students, 40% of Hispanic students and 60% of Asian students. Some local leaders say the reasons center around wealth, opportunity and family life.
When will teachers and students get Covid vaccine? (Observer) Mecklenburg County started distributing Covid vaccines to residents ages 75 and older this week. Teachers are a few waves down the line but are expected to get their vaccines in the coming months. Students, on the other hand, may have to wait until next year, according to state officials. Currently, no vaccine for ages 12 and under has been approved for distribution in the U.S.
Local news
Rapper DaBaby arrested on gun charges: (Los Angeles Times) Troutman resident and Charlotte native DaBaby was arrested Thursday on charges he carried a loaded weapon into a shop on Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles. DaBaby, whose real name is Jonathan Kirk, was arrested on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon and carrying a loaded gun in a vehicle. He was released from custody after posting a $35,000 bond.
Vaccine update: (Observer) The Mecklenburg County Health Department and the region’s two biggest hospital systems, Atrium and Novant, started vaccinating residents ages 75 and up on Wednesday. Demand was high, and both the county and the hospital systems said more doses will be available in the coming weeks.
First Black public health nurse dies: (QC Metro) Thereasea Elder, Mecklenburg County’s first Black public health nurse, died at 93 on Tuesday. Elder is remembered for her passion, kindness and determination, especially when it came to breaking the color barrier and treating patients who responded to her with outward hostility.
Southern Shows suspends operations: (Ledger🔒) Southern Shows, the Charlotte-based company behind the Southern Women’s Show and the creator of the Southern Christmas Show, has laid off a majority of its staff and is suspending operations. Company president David Zimmerman told The Ledger about his hopes for the company’s future.
Business
McColl’s investment firm buys RJ Leeper: (Ledger) Bright Hope Capital, a new investment firm whose backers include former Bank of America CEO Hugh McColl, purchased R.J. Leeper Construction, the ninth largest Black-owned company in Charlotte. Bright Hope has said it plans to acquire and grow minority-owned businesses in an effort to boost economic mobility.
City councilman’s involvement in construction company raises questions: (Ledger🔒) The announcement this week that Charlotte City Council member James Mitchell would become president and co-owner of R.J. Leeper Construction has raised questions about a conflict of interest between Mitchell’s role as a public official and his leadership of a company that’s done hundreds of millions of dollars in business with the city.
Sports
Checkers cancel season: The Charlotte Checkers announced that the team will not play this season because of the pandemic. The first game for the minor-league hockey team was to have been in early February. (WBTV)
New stadium plans taking shape? (Ledger 🔒) Charlotte Pipe & Foundry says it plans to file for a rezoning for its Charlotte plant on Morehead Street, a 50+ acre site that has been floated as a possibility for a new stadium for the Carolina Panthers.
Lake Norman Christian coach resigns: (Observer) Mason Padgett, men’s basketball coach and athletic director of Lake Norman Christian, unexpectedly resigned from both positions Thursday, citing personal reasons. The basketball team has a 5-star (best of the best in high school basketball terms) recruit, was 9-2 this season and had appeared on national television several times this season.
Good reads
One business’ failed attempt at hiring an influencer: A small independently owned Charlotte pharmacy hired an Instagram influencer to promote its rapid Covid tests just after New Year’s, and a backlash on Twitter ensued from people who thought it was insensitive for an influencer to profit from a pandemic, and for the pharmacy to charge when free testing is available. The pharmacy owner, Chi Patel, told Queen City Nerve that the experience made him realize how naïve he is to social media, and he’s still confused by what happened. (Queen City Nerve)
Yes, it’s happened here before: (North Carolina Rabbit Hole) In his newsletter that details strange and fascinating little nuggets about North Carolina history, writer Jeremy Markovich gives an engaging history lesson about the 1865 occupation of the N.C. state capitol by union soldiers, and the one successful coup in American soil — in Wilmington, N.C., in 1898.
Q&A with Tom Gabbard: Blumenthal Performing Arts CEO Tom Gabbard talks about how he fell in love with the arts, his journey to Charlotte in 2003 and how the city can nurture its artists in this interview with Tim Miner of Charlotte is Creative. (Charlotte is Creative/The Biscuit)
Other Ledger originals
Quail Hollow changes: (Friday🔒) In an interview, Johnny Harris sheds light on the reasons behind the construction at Quail Hollow Club.
Commercial real estate outlook: (Friday🔒) A panel of experts weighs in on the future of commercial real estate in Charlotte in 2021. Get predictions from Adam Williams, John Culbertson, Ronnie Bryant, Henry Breaux, Clay Grubb, Aaron Ligon and Kathleen Rose.
A Better You in 2021: During the month of January, The Ledger is calling on some of our region’s best experts to share ways to make our lives better, both personally and professionally. This week, we heard from parenting expert Wendy Petricoff about how to become a more empathetic parent or grandparent, and from martial arts sensei Michael R. Price about how to build self discipline.
Tax bite on Covid-relief loans: (Monday) Recipients of Paycheck Protection Program loans could be in for a surprise when they file their state taxes for 2020. North Carolina is not allowing businesses to deduct expenses if PPP funds were used to pay for them, which means companies will be taxed on higher revenues. A top legislator told us the General Assembly will look at the issue in the next few weeks.
Office tower developer buys industrial buildings in South End: (Wednesday🔒) Atlanta-based Cousins Properties has bought three adjoining parcels of land in South End. We’ve got all the details on the location and the purchase price.
Tough times ahead for Belk?: (Wednesday🔒) A number of national magazines say that ratings agencies believe Charlotte-based Belk is among the retailers most likely to seek bankruptcy protection in 2021.
Healthcare vaccinations: (Friday 🔒) Only about half of Atrium Health employees who are eligible for the Covid vaccine have taken it or have signed up for it, mirroring trends across the country.
—Compiled by David Griffith
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