Inspiring Workplaces: New Year's Resolutions That Work

Published: Wed, 01/03/18

Humor at Work

ISSUE 709 - Jan. 3, 2018


			New Year's Resolutions That Work

	Happy 2018 everyone! Have you made your resolutions yet? Have you broken any resolutions yet? (I know I have!) Here are a few thoughts on the fine art of resolving to resolve your revolving resolutions... According to several goal-setting experts, it's easier to create "anti-resolutions": Commit to things you want to stop doing rather than things you want to start doing. According to a survey asking people what their company's new year's resolution should be if their company made one, the #1 answer was, "Create a climate of respect from top to bottom of the organization." How would you and your teammates answer this question? Take our survey here: What's Your Workplace Resolution? At Microsoft, employees don't set resolutions, they set public commitments created in consultation with their peers and supervisors, thus substantially increasing their odds of achieving them. Dozens of studies show that when you visualize exactly where and when you will be when you do whatever it is you need to get done, people are far more successful at achieving their goals. Make it fun! Work made fun gets done! Finally, here are five keys to keeping resolutions, according to people who, annoyingly, actually keep them: Create a strong "why," make small changes, write the resolution down every day, find accountability partners, and make it difficult to fail. Whatever your resolve to do this year, I wish you loads of success, joy and fun in the new year!

		Mike's Fun at Work Tip

Create a collective "Dream Board" at work to encourage everyone to support each other's dreams - you could do one virtually on-line or create a central board where everyone on your team or in your workplace lists their top 1-3 goals/dreams/aspirations for the year. By publicly sharing your dreams for the year everyone has a better chance of achieving them. And sharing them helps raise awareness so that other team members who have experience related to that goal can offer advice, support or resources.
		Quote of the Week

"My New Year's resolution is to stop hanging out with people who keep asking me about my New Year's resolutions!"
		It's a Wacky World

Here are some of the stupidest reasons people phone a 911 call center in British Columbia this past year: To complain that a salon won't change their nail polish color. To complain a car is refusing to move forward at a gas pump. To report a restaurant won't give a refund for inedible food. To gripe that someone else parked in their parking spot. To ask if a sign that says a washroom is closed is legitimate. To inquire about whether raccoons are dangerous animals. To ask if it's illegal to wash clothes at 6 a.m. To double check the time after daylight saving time ends in the fall.

Cost-Savings to Book Mike to Speak:
Moncton: Jan 31-Feb 3
Lethbridge: Feb 14-16
New Zealand: Feb 20-28
Kelowna: April 23-25
Winnipeg: Oct 15

Humor at Work TV
An instant employee morale booster to help kick off the new year: The Smile-o-matic
(1-minute)

January Theme Days
Fun, offbeat January theme days and observances for your workplace: Fun January Theme Days

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