How to keep a New Year's Resolution
I did a quick Google search and found the Top 10 New Year’s Resolution that people will make for 2018...
- Lose Weight and Get Fit
- Quit Smoking
- Learn Something New
- Eat Healthier and Diet
- Get Out of Debt and Save Money
- Spend More Time with Family
- Travel to New Places
- Be Less Stressed
- Drink Less
- Volunteer / Help Others
Of the 10 items listed above, the first 9 are very much about one’s self, which actually makes us less likely to follow through on them. The reason is because it is easy to trick ourselves into why we can’t keep them up past January 15. Adding to the difficulty is the fact that very often we do not have anyone holding us accountable. So we often resort back to our old habits, only to revisit the broken resolutions next year. The 10th item however, is very different, it is about volunteering our time to help others.
Personally I find it much easier to follow through on something when others will be the beneficiary of my actions. It is easier for me to justify in my head buying a $5 latte instead of investing that money for my retirement. However, when someone is counting on me, the last thing I want to do is to let them down.
Recently I have been volunteering for a few causes that, believe it or not, have actually helped me check off some of the top resolutions. For me, I find volunteering exposes me to things, people, places and activities that I wouldn’t otherwise be doing during my day-to-day firestop territory managerial duties. When I volunteer, I am constantly “learning something new” and “traveling to new places”. Most of my volunteering (at this point in my life) centers around my children’s education, so it has actually helped me in “spending more time with my family”. And even though some may view it as unpaid work, volunteering has helped me to “be less stressed” while at the same time adding perspective to my life.
The graphic above I thought did a great job in explaining the health benefits of volunteering. For the most part, volunteers are happier, healthier, less stressed and more rested than those who don't... so what are you waiting for?
The New Year is the perfect time to get started, but remember that it is never too late to get involved and volunteer… somebody somewhere needs your help… Just remember, philanthropy is about generosity in all its many forms, commonly referred to as gifts of “time, talent, and treasure.” If you don't have the time to donate to your favorite cause, perhaps you have a talent, or skill that you could lend an organization in your free time... and of course, there is not a non-profit organization that I know that would say 'no' to your treasure, or a monetary donation. San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said it best when he was asked recently why he gives so much to charity... “Because we’re rich as hell, we don’t need it all, some other people need it and you’re an ass if you don’t give it.”
So, what are you rich in, time, talent or treasure?
Remember the words of St. Francis of Assisi: "It is in giving that we receive."
Happy & Healthy New Year to you all!