2008: So Wrong
Posted on December 31, 2008
2008: So Wrong
2008 was a tough year for many Americans.
My wife hated 2008. Her entire focus over the last month has been to ensure that 2009 is no 2008.
For me, 2008 was a mixed blessing. I have had more fun in my professional life than I have ever had in my life. Working for yourself is daunting, and there really isn’t much security in being a small businessman, but the flexibility is fantastic.
But I look over my assumptions over the last year, and I was so wrong, so often, it made my head spin.
I assumed that Hillary Clinton would get the Democratic nomination. Wrong.
I assumed Rudy Giuliani would be the best Republican candidate. Wrong.
I assumed the economy would sputter along but not completely crash. Wrong.
I assumed that the Democrats would draft Al Gore because of widespread dissatisfaction with Barack Obama as their front-runner. Wrong.
I assumed that Notre Dame would fire Charlie Weiss. Wrong.
I assumed the White Sox would have a decent shot at making the World Series. Wrong.
I assumed that we could sell our house on Capitol Hill for close to our asking price. Wrong.
I assumed that John McCain would run a halfway decent campaign for President. Wrong.
I assumed that Republicans would lose less than 10 seats in the House and less than 5 seats in the Senate. Wrong.
I assumed that I wouldn’t have to go on a big diet. Wrong.
I assumed that there would be no way that someone whose middle name was Hussein would ever be President. Wrong.
I assumed that it was a smart strategy to keep investing in the equities market. Wrong.
One of my New Year’s Resolutions will be to challenge all of my assumptions before I rely too heavily on them in the coming year.