7 New Year’s Mini Resolutions for Tour Directors and Tour Guides
The New Year is right around the corner, and you know what that means: you’ll be writing the date incorrectly on your itineraries for at least two weeks.
What else? Oh yeah … lots of people will fail to accomplish nearly impossible goals they’ve set for themselves.
According to recent research, 45 percent of Americans usually make New Year’s resolutions. Only 8 percent of those who commit will succeed in achieving them.
Before you write off the idea of bettering yourself, consider that the reason for many of these shortcomings is difficulty. Remember, the smaller your goals, the greater your chances of success.
Here are seven New Year’s mini resolutions that will make directors and tour directors happier and better at their jobs.
Buy a comfortable pair of shoes: Your feet are one of your most valuable assets. You spend hours on them every day. Don’t they deserve to be treated well? Don’t settle for a pair of gel inserts (although those can work wonders). Spend considerable time finding a pair that hugs your feet perfectly. You might be surprised how much your mood improves.
Always recycle: What better way to thank the world you love so much than to minimize waste? Make sure there’s a recycling container aboard the motorcoach for all those plastic wrappers and containers. Tell the group how important it is to help preserve this planet so their children and grandchildren can enjoy it for years to come.
Perform one random act of kindness per day/week/month: The frequency is your choice. What’s important here is to make concerted efforts to think outside yourself. It’s too easy to get wrapped up in our own little worlds and blind ourselves to what makes us truly happy. The more you go out of your way to help others, the more natural it becomes.
Stay in touch with family and friends: Again, this doesn’t necessarily mean daily phone calls. It’s about not letting so much time pass that you feel disconnected from your loved ones. All relationships require effort, especially long-distance ones. You’re never too busy to make time for those who have helped you become who you are.
Unplug from technology at least one hour before bedtime: We know how it is. Emails pile up while you’re on the road. There’s increasing pressure to stay in touch with your contacts via social media. Your workday can seem endless. That is why it is so crucial to allow yourself a little time to organize your thoughts, listen to your body, and put all the blinks, buzzes, and dings to rest for a while. Put out the fires, and approach the rest with a fresh mind the next day.
Express your creativity: Not surprisingly, tour directing and tour guiding are careers that tend to draw artistic types such as writers, painters, and musicians. Those with a passion for travel and a deep appreciation of the world’s beauty often excel at expressing it in unique ways. Never let your creative muscles atrophy. Use your talents to the fullest extent possible to enhance your travel experiences.
Do not give up on improving yourself: Hey, life happens. There will be setbacks, missed opportunities, and daily annoyances that get in the way of your goals. Don’t be discouraged! Bettering yourself is all about momentum. If you’ve established enough of it, then a bump or two in the road will not be enough to derail your progress. Be forgiving of yourself when you falter, but stay on track.
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