As I write this article, I am looking out a hotel window at a very cold Chicago landscape (I’m talking really cold for a guy from Mississippi). We just completed a very productive CHEST 2014 Executive Program Committee meeting to plan our annual program for this October in Austin, Texas. This effort was expertly led by Dr. Mark Metersky and his vice-chairs, Drs. Alex Niven and Jean Bourbeau, with great contributions by a superb group of executive committee members and the CHEST staff. We have an exciting program planned for you this year in Austin! The planning meeting was followed by the traditional "thank you" dinner for the planning committee participants. One of my New Year’s resolutions went flying out the window, yet again: eating sensibly! Hard for me to resist great food.

Dr. Thomas Fuhrman (front) and Dr. Steve Simpson discuss possible 2014 sessions at the 2014 Executive Program Committee planning meeting.

I bet I’m not alone. I am more than 2 months into the yearly "resolution game." Not one of my resolutions is intact – as usual. Like many of you, I bet, I set my sights a bit too high. My plans included eating more sensibly (not really that tough of a target, except cheese curls and french fries are irresistible), getting more regular exercise (my Nordic Track® often sits unused – yes, I’m that old – I actually own a Nordic Track), get home earlier each evening (there’s always something coming up at work), and not working as much on the weekends, or better yet, not at all (guess when I’m writing this).

Time for a resolution reboot! Yep, I "borrowed" that term from Headline News where I heard the phrase one early morning when the Nordic Track and I were getting reacquainted. I’d like to offer you several resolution ideas that should be easy to accomplish, and, yes, involve CHEST.

1 Come to CHEST World Congress in Madrid, March 21-24 (www.chestworldcongress2014.org/). I realize by the time this is published, time may be short. This is a fantastic program in collaboration with our partner, the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) and offers great and innovative content in a wonderful setting. Be sure to take advantage of the beautiful treasures of Madrid! One of those great treasures is the food! (There goes my resolution again.) Yes, this suggested CHEST resolution may be the hardest to accomplish, but the effort will be well rewarded.

2 Make your plans now to attend CHEST 2014 in Austin, Texas, (chestmeeting.chestnet.org). As noted, we just completed our program planning to include hands-on simulation, interactive sessions, and many more unique learning opportunities. Austin is a great city with much to offer, including world famous music, great barbecue, and other cuisine (food again – I better reboot that resolution, or just boot it).

3 Submit an abstract to CHEST 2014! This is a great way to show off the great care you have been providing for your patients!

4 Our new global headquarters opened in February. This fantastic facility offers an Innovation, Simulation, and Training Center that includes six simulation labs looking just like ICU rooms. Plan to attend one of our many new simulation offerings this year covering a myriad of topics, including ultrasound and mechanical ventilation. Look for even more exciting offerings over the year, as we take full advantage of this wonderful new resource, and sign up (www.chestnet.org/Education/Products/Live-Learning).

5 Join our e-Community or become even more active in the e-Community (www.chestnet.org/NetWorks/eCommunity). Start your own discussion with your questions or opinions on a topic of most interest to you. This is a global connection that can provide you with great perspectives and new ideas.

6 Get social! Join other CHEST members on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram (www.chestnet.org/Get-Involved/Connect-with-Us/Get-Social). This is a great way to connect with your colleagues. If you aren’t sure about how to do this (as I was not sure), connect with our Public Relations Specialist, Kristi Bruno at kbruno@chestnet.org. Being a bit of an "old dog," I’m still learning some of the new tricks about social networking from Kristi. She is a great resource!

7 Make a contribution to The CHEST-Foundation (www.chestnet.org/About/Overview/Foundation-and-OneBreath). The foundation is the philanthropic arm of CHEST, providing resources to our members to help our patients. Your donation can be targeted to the Beyond Our Walls Capital Campaign, helping to support our new global headquarters.

8 Last but not least, if you are not yet a member, join up (www.chestnet.org/Get-Involved/Membership/Join)!

Numbers 1-7 are just a few of the great opportunities you will have as part of the CHEST community. Good luck rebooting your resolutions! Now it’s time to work on one of my resolutions, less work on the weekends.

President’s Report: New Year’s resolution reboot?