A New Year’s Resolution for the Vail Valley
“An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.” – Bill Vaughn
One week into 2011, which do you relate to? I’d venture to say that most of us here in the Vail Valley are excited to enter 2011 after a turbulent 2010; cautious optimism seems to be the generally held belief of those I talk to in the business community & the tourism industry. Cautious optimism is a better feeling than most of us had the same time last year, and there’s something to be said for being better (even if it’s not measured against the historic “bests” of 2005-2008).
Research shows that up to 45% of American adults make one or more resolutions each year. Among the top new years resolutions are resolutions about weight loss, exercise, and stopping to smoke. Also popular are resolutions dealing with better money management / debt reduction. All are admirable and important.
The following shows how many of these resolutions are maintained as time goes on:
– past the first week: 75%
– past 2 weeks: 71%
– after one month: 64%
– after 6 months: 46%
So…about half of us make resolutions. And about half of those people actually keep their resolutions (at least for 6 months). Not being a “New Years Resolution” kind of guy, that’s a bit more than I might have assumed. But I digress.
I’m a week late to the game, but I challenge everyone in the Vail Valley business community to make one (more?) New Years resolution. If you are part of the 50% that don’t make resolutions, consider this an easy chance to make one. If you are part of the 25% that don’t keep your resolution past the first week, consider this a mulligan. If you are part of the overachieving minority that make and keep resolutions, congratulations – you now have one more for your list.
I challenge you to get involved. Just that easy. Doesn’t much matter that you get involved in as there are many worthy candidates: your child’s school, a trade organization, a community group, an industry association, volunteering with a local non-profit, serving on a volunteer board or (shameless plug alert) getting more engaged with your local chamber. Just get involved in something and make a resolution to see it through.
I’d be willing to bet it’s one resolution that beats the odds and gets kept throughout the year.
Note: If you are looking for specific volunteer involvement opportunities, simply log on to the Vail Valley Partnership’s new Volunteer Connection at www.VailValleyVolunteers.com for complete information on the variety of non-profit groups here in our area and their volunteer needs.
As a reminder, the Vail Valley Partnership’s annual Gala & Success Awards are being held on February 4 at the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort and Spa. We are currently soliciting silent auction items to benefit our Non-Profit of the Year, Walking Mountains Science Center. Please contact the Partnership at 476-1000