Posts Tagged ‘New Year Resolution’

Carry Out That New Years Resolution!

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

You survived January 2012, now what? Did you make that New Years resolution stick through the chilling January temperatures? If Groundhog Day has taught us anything, it is that there is going to be another 6 weeks of winter (Yikes!).

So let’s not get discouraged, let’s get out and volunteer to keep that New Years resolution throughout the whole year! Statistics show that after the first month of trying to stick to a New Years resolution only 64% of people who set them will actually stick to them.

If you resolved to help others and your community in 2012, you do not need to be another statistic in this continuous cycle of failed resolutions. Helping others does not need to be a complete life change or turning away from a bad habit. It is just a positive addition to your life that will benefit you in so many ways (hey maybe with the positive feeling you get from volunteering you will be able to move to new goals like losing weight)

So why do people find it so hard to stick to resolutions such as volunteering?

  1. Many people believe that they do not have enough time to volunteer during their hectic schedule. Come on we have heard this excuse so many times, why do you think people don’t exercise?
  2. Some people do not know where to volunteer their time or what organizations need volunteers.
  3. Volunteers get intimidated by the many options available in the nonprofit world. There are a ton of action areas it can be difficult to choose just one!
  4. Some people do not see problems in their community, so they do not believe that their community needs volunteers.
  5. Others will get distracted by various plans. It can be difficult to volunteer on the weekends especially when you work all week.

Do these excuses sound like similar phrases that have come out of your mouth this past month? Well, it is good you are looking at today’s post. Let’s find solutions to these excuses. You do not have to be super volunteer to help your community. Make baby steps. No one completes their resolutions over night; if we did losing weight would be number one on our lists!

Excuse #1: You may be extremely busy, and volunteering just does not have a place on your schedule. Okay, so you cannot go out on a Saturday morning and volunteer physically to a soup kitchen or volunteer for a Habitat for Humanity build. But you can…

  • Donate canned goods to a food bank or soup kitchen
  • Donate gently used clothes or appliances to a shelter or donation center
  • Make decorations for a retirement home or hospital
  • Conserve water and energy
  • Recycle
  • Save your change and donate it to your favorite cause or charity

Excuse #2: There are so many charities and nonprofits in every city; it can become overwhelming when you are searching for a volunteer opportunity. There are many organizations that can help you find a volunteer opportunity that will guide you to the perfect match! Check out:

Excuse #3: Yes, we know there is an overwhelming amount of volunteering opportunities available. To make your volunteering choice less intimidating pick out something that you are truly interested in, so that you will want to continuously do it. Who wants to keep up with something they do not enjoy. Volunteering opportunities fall into a majority of these categories:

  • Animals
  • Elderly
  • Military
  • Youth
  • Environment
  • Disaster relief
  • Homelessness
  • Poverty
  • Women

Excuse #4: It is sometimes difficult to observe your community’s needs on a daily basis. The truth is every community needs and relies on volunteer work. Your contribution no matter how big or small will make a huge difference to your community and its members. Never believe that volunteering in your community will go unnoticed!

Excuse #5: It is normal to just want to relax during your time off. There are volunteering opportunities for every level of volunteer. You can volunteer from your couch, your kitchen, or your workplace. You can choose projects that are big or small just do something that you enjoy and it will not seem like work, because the benefits will outweigh the costs.

It is 2012; do not let yourself give up on another resolution. Make this year count! You will begin to see the rewards of your service quicker than you think. Just try it; what do you have to lose?

Are you volunteering in 2012? Share your ideas with us; we would love to hear them!

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Want to Make a New Years Resolution Stick? Volunteer!

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

It’s almost that time of year again. After spending too much time in the malls, eating a ton of food, and socializing with too many awkward family members Christmas will come to a close. Now what? It is New Years resolution time!

“Yay! I cannot wait to make another resolution that I will never actually be able to keep.” When most people make a New Years resolution, they tend to try to cut back on things that may negatively influence their lives such as fast food, but what about resolving to do something good?

A New Years resolution that may not be so hard to keep is volunteering your time to help your community! This resolution will not only influence your life positively, but also the well-being of your community.

How exactly can you turn this resolution into an action rather than a statement? Easy! Follow these 5 tips that help you keep a New Years resolution and apply them to volunteering.

  1. Make sure to choose your activity wisely: Now it is great to be an overachiever, but let’s not kid ourselves you will not fit an activity into your routine, if it is not something that you enjoy. For example, if you are not the outdoorsy type, cleaning up a river bank probably is not your thing. Instead of choosing the newest trend in service, choose your project based on your interests. There is an activity for everyone and every passion.
  2. Quit being self obsessed: Volunteering allows you to be selfless and take yourself out of the daily stresses of normal life. You are able to try something that you have never had the time to do in the past. While you should choose an activity that you enjoy, you should also choose the activity for the right reasons. Get a group of friends together and help out a cause today!
  3. Be mindful of your decision: Choosing an activity that you are passionate about will promote growth from your experience. For example, if you are interested in helping your community’s education you should choose a project such as tutoring. Seeing the effects of your service such as your student passing a test, may make you want to serve in bigger projects or devote more of your time. You will grow from the experience because you are devoting yourself to something you truly care about. You are selflessly pursuing your passions.
  4. Understand your limits: Reward yourself for the great work you participated in. Go grab a bite to eat with the people who you volunteered with or go home and take a bubble bath. Just do something that will not only be enjoyable but will be a relaxing reward for you. You will be more likely to complete an activity and fit it into your routine if you can reward yourself after. After all, who doesn’t like coming home and relaxing after a hard day’s work?
  5. Recruit some friends: Tell your friends about your resolution and ask them if they would like to participate as well. You are more likely to go serve in person if you have people with you who share in your interests and support your efforts. Who knows they may even want to make service their resolution this year?

Do these tips work? See for yourself, make service your New Years resolution. Service not only will benefit your community, but it will also benefit yourself! This year make a resolution that you can actually keep! Pledge to serve today.

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Posted in Service, Volunteering, Volunteerism | 2 Comments »