New Year’s resolutions

Forget New Year’s Resolutions – Here Are Five Beneficial Things That You’ll Actually Want to Do in 2022

By in Learning, Living Well Tags: , , ,

Happy_With_Resolutions

New Year’s resolutions are often hard to keep. The majority of the time, people aren’t able to stick to the resolutions they make – maybe because they aren’t sure what they need to do to achieve them, or because they set their expectations too high. It can be difficult and stressful.

2021 was a hard year for a lot of people. So maybe we should cut ourselves some slack, and avoid making tough, demanding New Year’s resolutions this year. Instead, why not resolve to do things that are both fun and beneficial to our careers? Author Lea McLeod has a few suggestions:

  • Learn about something you’ve always been interested in that has nothing to do with your work – Have you always been interested in learning more about something random, like puppetry, interior design, classic car restoration, or hydroponic gardening? Well if so, you should go for it! Not only will it be fun and personally rewarding, it will also benefit you at work by making you more curious and creative. Plus, who knows how you might be able to apply those new skills? They might just come in handy on your next work project!
  • Ask to take on a task at work that seems enjoyable (even if it’s not in your area) – Is there something that you would like to try doing at work, even though it’s not in your area of expertise? Ask your manager if you could try it out. Even if it doesn’t end up being a good fit for you, you’ll still learn something new and hopefully enjoy the experience. In addition, your manager will admire you for wanting to try new things.
  • Get technical – Try to learn a new technical skill. And make sure it’s something that you’ve always been interested in learning, so that it’s an enjoyable process! Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn more about Photoshop. Or maybe there’s a new app for your phone that you’ve been dying to try. It doesn’t need to be directly related to your work. Getting more technologically-savvy is always beneficial, no matter what type of technical skill you’re learning.
  • Read a few books – Try to read a few books this year that will inspire you and make you think. Choose books that really interest you, so you’ll stick with them (even if you’re not a big reader). The intellectual stimulation that comes from reading a good book will help you to be a more effective employee.
  • Unplug for a weekend – For one weekend, try to unplug from all of your devices. Don’t look at your work email. Don’t look at social media. Just take a break, and spend your time doing offline activities that you really enjoy. Enjoying a weekend away from work and other responsibilities will help to prevent burnout, and will make you a more productive, engaged employee.

…

McLeod, L. (n.d.). 5 career-boosting New Year’s resolutions you’ll actually want to keep. The Muse. Retrieved from: https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-careerboosting-new-years-resolutions-youll-actually-want-to-keep

New Year’s Resolutions That Will Make You More Successful at Work

By in Living Well Tags: , ,

Happy business woman reading document at office desktop

It’s a new year! That means it’s time for a fresh start. It’s also time to make some resolutions about things that you want to accomplish in 2020.

Everyone has their own personal goals. I’m going to try to eat a more healthy diet. I’d also like to learn more about landscaping so I can figure out how to revive my patchy, weedy front yard. (I think it’s going to be a real battle — those weeds are pretty hardy.)

But if your goal is to become happier and more successful at work, you’re in luck! Because according to author Frances Bridges, you can achieve this goal by making just a few simple New Year’s resolutions:

  • Try to be on time – If you’re the kind of person who tends to arrive late to work or meetings, make a greater effort to be on time. Your manager and coworkers will appreciate your punctuality, and view you in a more positive light.
  • Get organized – Clean up your desk, file those stacks of loose papers, update your calendar, and do whatever else is necessary to get yourself organized. You’ll feel more in control, and you’ll be more efficient and productive.
  • Get to know some new people – Networking is hard. But you should try to make an effort to meet some new people in your department or industry. Making new connections can really benefit you in the long run.
  • Ask for feedback – Whenever you finish a major project, ask your manager to give you a little feedback on your performance. It will help you to identify your strengths and the areas in which you may need a little improvement.
  • Learn new things – Learn how to use a new type of software or read an article about new advancements in your field. The more you know, the more effective you’ll be.
  • Reduce your stress – When things get tense at work, take a short break and try to relax. Go for a walk outside, chat with a coworker, or just step away from your desk and take a few deep breaths. Do what you need to do to look after yourself and reduce your level of stress.
  • Let things go –Even if you’re feeling angry with someone at work, try to let it go. Holding a grudge is exhausting, and it will make your work life less satisfying and more stressful. Life is just easier when everyone gets along.

…

Bridges, F. (2018, December 17). The ten best New Year’s resolutions for your career. Forbes. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/francesbridges/2018/12/07/the-10-best-new-years-resolutions-for-your-career/#65f571864d6d

New Year’s Resolutions by the Numbers

By in Holidays and Celebrations Tags:

NewYearsEve

In just a few days, it will be 2016. That means it’s time for some New Year’s resolutions!

But perhaps you’re wondering “What should I resolve to do?” and “Is it even worth it?” Well, to answer your questions, let’s take a look at some statistics.

According to the Statistic Brain Research Institute, the top ten resolutions in 2015 were the following:

  1. Lose weight
  2. Get organized
  3. Save more money
  4. Enjoy life to the fullest
  5. Stay fit and healthy
  6. Learn something new
  7. Quit smoking
  8. Help others achieve their dreams
  9. Fall in love
  10. Spend more time with family

Approximately 45% of Americans usually make resolutions. But unfortunately, only 8% actually achieve them. (About 49% of Americans do achieve intermittent, positive results.)

Still, people who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to achieve their goals than people who don’t. So go ahead and make those resolutions. Apparently, it’s worth it! And with a little effort, you might be part of the successful 8%. Good luck! And Happy New Year!

 

Statistic Brain Research Institute. (2015, January 26). New Year’s resolution statistics. Retrieved from http://www.statisticbrain.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/