New Year’s Resolutions: new year = new me?

Coming towards the end of each year, we tend to reflect on the year’s main events – what we did well and what we did wrong to be able to learn from the lessons of the past and do some things better than we have before. The New Year is traditionally considered to be the time of new beginnings – a time for resolutions, embarking on the coming year with a “clean slate” with the hope of taking a step forward and having a better year in front of us. Over one-half of adults believe in New Year’s resolutions (Epcot Poll, 1985), these resolutions usually can be categorized into 3 bigger categories: (1) “physical health” (70%), (2) “self-improvement” (10%), followed by (3) “psychological health” (5%) category (Oscarsson et al., 2017). The younger generations tend to make several commitments each year (on average 3 – Marlatt & Kaplan, 1972); however, these personal promises are usually broken as time slips away – sometimes within weeks, sometimes even on the very second day. Within a week around 25%, meanwhile, throughout 2 years more than 80% of New Year’s resolutions are completely faded away (Connellan, 2011; Norcross & Vangarelli, 1988). Each year begins with heads held high, and people feeling energised and encouraged by good intentions to improve themselves and their environment… but how can we really make things last and make a lasting difference?

New Year's Resolution

Image from Unsplash.com

New Year’s resolutions and self-improvement 

 

“Resolutions are a declaration, a commitment that we make to ourselves. They allow us a chance to look at the past and the present and think about the future. Many of us focus on improving ourselves and the lives of those around us“

Halpern, 2001:1

 

In other words, a resolution is a firm decision to start out with a good new habit or to break a bad one to make a positive change. It usually begins with the freedom – the will to acknowledge that there is room (a need?) for growth and involves looking back, reflecting on the past, and then looking forward by deciding on how to move ahead. We all look for some particular and easy-to-remember dates to start something new. All this is encouraged by a hidden attraction, a desire and/or curiosity whispering from inside – Where could I improve myself, who else am I destined to be? From ancient times New Year’s Day was labelled as an important day (Norcross & Vangarelli, 1988), a special date that might bring drastic changes to our lives:

– Drink less

– Quit smoking

– Study well – stop procrastinating

– Work harder

– Sleep more

– Exercise at least 3 days a week

– Eat healthier

– Save money – make wiser financial decisions

– Find a balance between work life and personal life

– Improve the relationships (colleagues, family, friends)

– Read min. a book a month

– Learn a new language

– Explore a new country

– Live greener – reduce, reuse and recycle

– Volunteer – help others

Does any of the most popular resolutions listed above sound familiar? What is your progress so far?

Making any positive lifestyle changes can be challenging, yet something about the start of a new year, a fresh slate with 365(6) brand-new days, makes all wonders seem possible. While it may seem easy to make resolutions, it can be far more difficult to keep them, especially now that we are experiencing a whole new world by still suffering the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic (see also our previous article). 

 

In the following section, we will go through some of the biggest mistakes and best solutions to be able to make long-lasting and life-changing New Year’s resolutions. 

Read More

Author:

Griszbacher Norbert

Article Writer & Content Contributor

Norbert Griszbacher article writer at GiLE

Share this article:

Facebook
LinkedIn
Email
Print
Twitter

Disclaimer:

The opinions expressed in this article/publication are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of GiLE or its members.

Read more articles:

One Response

Leave a Reply

We are recruiting!

Website, Developer &
IT-related roles

The following roles are currently available:

The role consists of:

  • Create custom web experiences with the latest web technologies.
  • Ensure that the website is appealing to the target audience and catches attention.
  • Design accessible web user interfaces (UI), enhance platforms with custom style sheets.

 

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements:

  • Experience with building visually appealing websites from the design standpoint.
  • Experience in using common CMS systems, like WordPress and Drupal.
  • Comfortable with CSS and preferably has a basic understanding of popular web technologies and frameworks.
  • High level understanding of web design concepts, UI principles
  • Basic experience in app UI design (for example the UI builder of Android Studio).

The role consists of:

  • Keep website fully functional at all times, inform colleagues of any expected downtime.
  • Deploy and update WordPress ecosystem components.
  • Make sure the site’s user interface is easily accessible for most users.

 

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements:

  • Thrives in the WordPress ecosystem, is aware of new trends and has a good command of the most popular web technologies (HTML, CSS, Javascript);
  • Has a UX-first mindset, is able to create modern and accessible wireframes/concepts and iterate fast on ideas;
  • Can develop complex webpages using Theme Builders like Elementor or Divi;
  • Has experience in creating webpages with WordPress, using plugins;
  • Is able to provide technical support to all users of the website(s).

Events, Marketing & Communications

The following roles are currently available:

The role consists of:

  • Manage pre-event planning of events, including assisting with the promotions, logistics, and general management of events, workshops and training courses.
  • Liaise with (strategic) partners, youth networks and key contact persons where relevant.
  • Manage feedback loops and produce post-event evaluations and content to inform future events.

 

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements:

  • High level of organisational skills
  • Attention to detail;
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills,
  • Time-management skills
  • Flexible, target-driven, and proactive.

The role consists of:

  • Launch and coordinate fundraising campaigns to support the projects and activities of the organisation.
  • Further develop an internal guideline document that briefly summarises our various types of fundraising techniques.
  • Perform risk management to minimize any risks related to fundraising.
  • Continuously explore creative ways to raise funds, including continuously searching
    for potential donors or fundraising partners.

 

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements:

  • Excellent communication and writing skills,
  • Excellent way of expressing ones thoughts, and having persuasive tactics.
  • Good written and research skills to prepare compelling concept notes to help generate funds.

Content Creation
& Design

The following roles are currently available:

The role consists of:

  • Produce written or verbal content that is clear and persuasive for our target audience for various platforms in a way that is consistent with our brand strategy and voice (articles, blogs, podcasts, newsletter texts, etc.).

  • Assist with the development of creative ideas and concepts for advertising, social
    media, or crowdfunding  campaigns.

  • Help drive brand consistency across all communication platforms

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements:

  • Experience in copywriting for multiple social media campaigns.
  • Creative and curiosity.
  • Ability to collaborate and communicate with team members.
  • High attention to details.
  • Creative copy writing experience an added bonus.

The role consists of:

  • Designing unique marketing material that’s aligned with the creative direction and overall brand of the foundation and its projects.
  • Reviewing final layouts and suggesting improvements where required.
  • Ensure that the overall branding and artwork is maintained appropriately and consistently across all platforms and for all marketing and promotion material.

 

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements:

  • Demonstrable design experience across various platforms with design applications, software and technologies, such as Canva, Quark Xpress, InDesign or Illustrator, and photo-editing software such as Photoshop.
  • A keen eye for aesthetics and details;
  • Ability to translate campaigns into a visual creative direction

The role consists of:

  • Edit professional videos that are creative, engaging, and appropriately designed for our target audience.
  • Continuously discover and implement new editing technologies and industry’s best practices to maximize efficiency.

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications required, however, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements:

  • solid experience with digital technology and editing software packages.
  • creative mind and storytelling skills.

Academia & Publications

The following roles are currently available:

The role consists of:

  • Support the functions of the Editorial Team to
    fulfill the publication activities of the journal.
  • Taking actions on the OJS platform in line with the Publication Process Guide.
  • Checking the progress of submitted manuscripts through the Article Selection Process, incl. First Check, Reviewing, and Second Check.
  • Liaising with authors and reviewers as required (while adhering to the double-blind
    peer-review system) to ensure that the publication process is effective and efficient.
  • Promoting the journal and encouraging colleagues/students to submit high-quality articles.

 

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: Degree certificate and minimum 3-years of experience in research and publishing academic papers.

Skills and requirements:

  • Experience in academic writing.
  • Ability to meet the time demands of the position is required.
  • Excellent organizational, time-management skills, interpersonal and communication skills.

The role consists of:

  • Assist with (re)developing a visual template for journal articles based on the
    suggestions of the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor and Associate Editor.
  • Performing typesetting and layout editing in accordance with the GJSD Publishing
    Guide.
  • Performing final plagiarism check (in collaboration with the Associate Editor).

 

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Skills and requirements:

  • Experience with publications.
  • A strong attention to detail.
  • Proficiency in typesetting and layout editing of digital-first documents.
  • Ability to visualize the final product during the design process.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

The role consists of:

  • Assisting with the publication of the journal issues (creating the articles’ landing pages and the current Issues in the OJS system);
  • Ensuring that all metadata are correct, the Galleys are prepared, and the journal can be cited in a standard format directly from OJS;
  • Checking authors names, affiliations, ORC IDs;
  • Performing a final check of all articles, Galleys and landing pages before publishing, in collaboration with the Managing Editor and the Technical Editor;

 

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements:

  • Experience with publications.
  • A strong attention to detail.
  • Proficiency in typesetting and layout editing of digital-first documents.
  • Ability to visualize the final product during the design process.

The role consists of:

  • Ensuring that the submitted manuscripts are readable, have a logical flow, and that
    the author’s intended meaning is clear.
  • Proof-reading assigned manuscripts, editing manuscript content directly to improve readability and correct English language errors for UK English.
  • Ensuring that the manuscript is free from inconsistencies (textual and numerical), errors of spelling, syntax, grammar and punctuation.
  • Ensuring that manuscripts are consistent in presentation, style and content
    (including APA style reference formatting).

 

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements: Experience in academic writing.