New year, new me, right? When it comes to the new year, sometimes, things are easier said than done. There’s probably no other thing that might ring more true for than New Year’s resolutions. Of course, we all want to do better in the new year. Everyone’s goal is to kick the bad habits they made this year and to reestablish all the good ones they had hoped to establish at the beginning of this year, which is now ending. Realistically speaking, though, creating one goal that you can keep yourself to throughout the entirety of the year is certainly a tall task, one that can be compounded if you’re seeking to set goals not only for yourself but for your business as well.
At Payday HCM, we understand the plight of New Year’s resolutions. We’ve seen plenty of clients over the years come to us with questions about how to best take advantage of this time of year while still juggling all of the various operational tasks that still need to be done. It can be a tricky balancing act, but when done right, it can have far-reaching benefits for your business.
In this article, we’ll go over the New Year’s resolutions you should be setting for business heading into the new year. We’ll talk about what the most effective resolutions can be heading into the new year and the strategies for ensuring that you and your organization feel confident in taking on those resolutions. By the end, you’ll have all the tools you need to start out the new year with confidence.
In this article, you will learn:
- How To Align New Year’s Resolutions With Company Values
- Evidence-Based Workplace New Year’s Resolutions
- Tips For Creating A Practical New Year’s Resolution
How To Align New Year’s Resolutions With Company Values
Setting resolutions begins with clarity about what truly matters to you and your organization. Resolutions rooted in company values are more sustainable and fulfilling and allow for more measurable success.
New Methods For Goal-Setting
Caroline Adams Miller, an executive coach and author, outlines a different approach to creating goals in her book “Big Goals” that differs from the popular SMART method. Her BRIDGE framework offers a structured approach:
- Brainstorm goals and evaluate their feasibility.
- Assess the relationships needed to achieve them.
- Invest in personal growth to meet challenges.
- Discern key decision-making factors to stay focused.
- Gauge your grit and capacity to persevere.
- Define excellence and set timelines for success.
The SMART method (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) can create issues when it comes to creating more long-term and long-lasting goals. The BRIDGE method seeks to alleviate those shortcomings.
Focus On The Journey And The Goal
Anne-Laure Le Cunff, author of “Tiny Experiments,” suggests a shift from rigid goal-setting to a more fluid, experimental approach. Instead of focusing solely on outcomes, Le Cunff encourages us to prioritize the process and moments of joy along the way in addition to the ultimate end goal.
To achieve this, Le Cunff highlights three critical mental shifts: treating challenges as opportunities to learn rather than sources of stress, embracing continuous improvement rather than rigid benchmarks, and focusing on fulfilling experiences and creative flow rather than solely on end results.
Evidence-Based Workplace New Year's Resolutions
Resolutions tailored to improving work performance and well-being can have far-reaching effects. Here are two proven approaches backed by research:
Strengthen Personal Relationships In The New Year
The connection between home life and work success is undeniable. Studies reveal that strong family ties and rewarding relationships outside work foster positive energy, which translates to better performance in the workplace.
In a 2014 study published in Personnel Psychology, Professors Jarrod Haar, Maree Roche, and others observed 199 leaders and their 456 followers, finding that leaders with fulfilling family lives were more effective at motivating their teams. They spread positivity, leading to higher engagement among team members.
This means creating resolutions in the workplace surrounding personal relationships can be a huge boost not only for productivity but also for employee engagement and well-being. Use the BRIDGE method to work with your team on developing long-term goals surrounding work-life balance and personal relationships.
Rekindle Forgotten Hobbies
Hobbies are more than just leisure activities—they’re powerful tools for rejuvenation and creativity. Setting resolutions that encourage those within your organization to revisit their old pastimes can have great benefits toward productivity and engagement.
A study by the Academy of Management found that employees who revisited hobbies experienced greater satisfaction and received higher performance ratings from coworkers. Even recalling fond memories of past hobbies can lead to improved job performance.
If time constraints prevent you from fully engaging in an old passion, try incorporating small elements of it into your routine. For example, if you once loved painting, spending even 10 minutes sketching during breaks can reignite that passion.
Tips For Creating A Practical New Year’s Resolution
Turning resolutions into lasting habits requires thoughtful planning and accountability. Consider these strategies to set yourself up for success:
Choose a Clear Goal
Life is already busy, so focus on one meaningful resolution at a time. Selecting a clear, specific goal makes it easier to develop actionable steps and measure progress. The BRIDGE method will help you to accomplish this.
When it comes to the resolutions outlined above, make sure you’re making it clear which personal relationships you’re working to strengthen or what hobby you want to pursue. Keeping it specific makes the goal easier to achieve.
Build Accountability and Support
Writing down your resolution and sharing it with others increases your likelihood of success. Public accountability creates a sense of responsibility, while collaborating with colleagues fosters motivation. Finding some way for employees to share their resolution progress with their coworkers in a way that can foster encouragement and support can help others feel inspired.
Also, consider enlisting a partner to join you in your goal. Whether it’s practicing a new hobby together or participating in a fitness class, shared experiences make the journey more enjoyable and sustainable.
Resolving The Issues Around New Year’s Resolutions
The start of the year can be a stressful time. Not only do you need to push through the last bit of work you need to do before the new year starts, you also want to start off the year right which will hopefully create a productive tone you can carry throughout the rest of the year. New Year’s resolutions are typically created to help with that, helping you and your organization set clear targets to achieve throughout the year. However, these resolutions can often be hard to achieve for a variety of reasons. Luckily, with the information provided in this article, you’ll be able to create resolutions that, while challenging, will prove to be deeply rewarding.
Of course, we don’t only hand out tips on creating great New Year’s resolutions. From human resources to payroll, Payday HCM has all the solutions you need to take your business to the next level in the new year. Schedule a meeting with us today to learn more about how we can help your business.
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