Resolutions are so, so dumb. Did you know that only eight percent of people achieve their resolutions? The whole concept just sets everyone up for failure. Instead of doing ridiculous, over-the-top resolutions, we decided to pick one thing to be better at. It’s easy to focus on small self improvements and watch them add up into something big. Plus, the more you improve yourself, the more it benefits those surrounding you. So, we’re saying screw it with resolutions and doing these things instead.
Kim Bode, owner
I love the phrase “do better.” It is realistic and allows you grace when making goals. In this coming year, I am going to exercise patience, for myself, friends, family and work. I will be a better business owner by cutting myself some slack and allowing for mistakes and taking the time to reflect on those mistakes. Life will never be perfect and the sooner we all realize that the sooner we can go about enjoying it.
Adrienne Wallace, director
In 2017 I’m going to take the advice of a friend and focus on myself. Cliché, I know. Get over it. So, that means, no I will not bring a dish to pass to your potluck, I won’t be “picking up the tab” at the bar, I will not be attending your networking event, I won’t be buying crappy products from your kid’s fundraiser and I will likely not return emails that ask me to do things for you (your group, your kids, your whatever). I gave until it hurt in 2016: my pocketbook, my time. So, call this what you will – Scrooge, bitchy, selfish, whatever, truth is, I don’t care. I am putting on my oxygen mask before I help you with yours and that is so we can both make it out of this 2016 shitshow alive to thrive in 2017. Being a classic enabler, I tend to pick up the ball and run with it when I see signs of trouble. This year, it’s up to you to convert – by yourself. I’ll be cheering you on still, but I will not be getting dirty. So Millennials, take the wheel in 2017, I’ll be passed out in the back seat taking a well-deserved break and getting my own shit done for once.
Rebecca Dutcher, web director
Looking back on 2016, it was a big year! I’ve learned a lot, made some great new friends and had some fun along the way. In 2017, I’m going to work on doing a few things better. First, I want to stay in touch with friends and family. We relocated to Indiana in April of 2016, so I’m farther away. I will be more intentional about sending cards and notes throughout the year.
Second, I’m going to go for it more, no matter what “it” is. It could be a new workout, a potential new business opportunity, a new friendship or even a new recipe. This is the year where I just go for it more than ever before.
Last, I’m going to get more creative in the kitchen. We are on the go a lot and don’t always get a chance to eat together, but when we do, I want it to be more than spaghetti or grilled cheese. I will try those recipes, resurrect my Pinterest boards and try new things.
These aren’t new things to me, nor do I need to resolve to do them. I am, however, going at it with a lot more intention!
Jessica Krysinska, digital lead
In 2017, I hope to do better at time blocking. I’m the type of person that picks up multiple hobbies because a lot of things easily inspire me. In the past two years, I bought a lot of crafts, tried them once, enjoyed myself and realized it’s going to take some time and practice to get good at this. I even purchased a blogging website for a full year during the summer and haven’t touched it in three months. I’ve unfortunately let go of a few connections for no real good reason as well. I’m going to get better at lot of things this upcoming year! I’ll get better at blocking out time for these hobbies and friends, better at hand lettering, better at writing blogs and better at planning.
Grace Johnson-Connor, project manager
Resolutions suck. I am a person that strives for personal improvement, almost to a flaw, all year long. In 2017, I want to focus on being more intentional and taking time to be more mindful. This will be helpful in both my personal and professional life. I took a Mindful Leadership class and I really need to practice taking a pause to truly think out situations and how they impact all the players, even myself. My goal is to take more time to appreciate those around me and how they impact my life. I also need to be more mindful at home. As a mom, I often run around reacting to situations. My goal is to try to take the time to make our home less chaotic, less reactive and more positive. Hoping for a happy and healthy new year!
Lindsay Patton-Carson, content director
Politics have really bummed me out the past couple of months. Just when I think things can’t get any worse, they do. The future terrifies me and the worst thing I can do is sit, complain, be afraid and do nothing other than posting the occasional rage-filled social media post. In 2017, I’m going to get more involved in the issues I care about. I’m going to educate myself more on politics, policy and activism. I’m going to Washington D.C. in January to use my voice to tell the world that I will not tolerate sexism, racism and bigotry. I’m going to talk to my loved ones who are targeted by the politicians in power and ask how I can help them and what I can do more to support them. I will fight for equality for everyone, because I know our country is better than how we treat its citizens.
Leigh Rapaport, project manager
New Year’s resolutions do not work for me, so I’m taking a different approach for 2017. It’s really important for me to have personal and professional growth and development, so I’ll be trying to tackle two sides to this lifestyle change. For my personal growth, I’m going to return to barre classes after a long, long, long (VERY LONG) hiatus. It’s challenging on many levels, but will help me stay in a positive state of health (mentally and physically). And, you get to wear the grippy socks. I’m also going to focus more on my passion for photography and better hone my skills. In terms of professional development, I’m committing to finding courses and other avenues of learning in the marketing and PR world. There’s so much to learn, and it’s constantly changing, and I want to be a part of it. Plus, a lot of it includes spending a huge amount of time on Instagram. It’s research, people.
Emma Thibault, associate
In 2017, my goal is to manage my time better. I’m notorious for putting too many tasks on my plate, which in turn, takes time away from the things that matter to me. By taking 10 minutes each morning to map out my daily to-dos, I will have better clarity and organization to go through the rest of my day. By managing my time better, I’ll finally be able to dedicate time to calling long-distance family and friends, regularly updating my blog, picking up a new hobby and taking time to prepare semi-healthy meals. Hey, maybe somewhere in the midst of those tasks I’ll actually be able to appreciate having “me” time?!
Ali Gillman, associate
For the most part, 2016 has been a year that I improved myself physically. I started working out more, as well as taking the stairs and parking further away. It’s a goal I would like to continue in 2017, but on top of that, getting more sleep. This year was spent staying up, pulling all nighters. On average, I get about five hours of sleep. What I didn’t gain in sleep I would try to make up for it in cups of coffee. I know this habit is not healthy or sustainable and at this point, it’s a necessity to change. Going to bed at a decent hour will be tough, but that’s what a fresh start is all about.
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