Campaign: Let’s all resolve to be a little better

Now a new campaign is being launched to encourage us to think a bit more about what we could do for others - and research shows that most of us think that’s a good idea.

School fund-raising company FunMats came up with the idea for the ‘New Year’s Resolution Make-Over Campaign’ when they found out that eight of the top 10 most popular New Year’s Resolutions are all about ourselves.

Only two of the top 10 relate to other people.

The company, which helps school PTAs raise money for school trips and equipment, found that the majority of adults thought it would be a good for people to focus their New Year’s Resolutions a bit more on what they could do for others, rather than just on what they could do for themselves.

Now FunMats has started a campaign to get people thinking about their New Year’s Resolutions for 2012 and to include one that focuses on others.

Ken Beecroft of FunMats said: “New Year’s Resolutions have traditionally always been about us - and mainly our bodies. We thought it would be a good idea to encourage people to think a bit differently and perhaps make one New Year’s resolution that’s about what we can do for others. We know times are difficult, but perhaps that’s all the more reason to think of others and what we might be able to do to help them in some way?”

Here are some ideas to help you give your new year’s resolutions a makeover. For more ideas, and to support the New Year’s Resolutions Makeover Campaign, visit FunMats on facebook and click on the New Year’s Resolutions page.

l Family. Is there someone that would really appreciate it if you kept in contact a bit more? Even a phone call once a week could make a big difference if you can’t see them.

l Charity. Is there a charity you’d like to help in some way? It doesn’t have to be about money – see if you could help by donating a little time, expertise or things you no longer need.

l School. Most schools rely on fund-raising to help pay for trips and equipment but only a few parents get involved in this fund-raising. FunMats research found that 56 per cent of people in the South East thought it would be a good for parents of school children to try to help with school fund-raising.

l Work. Help make your workplace a nicer place to be by being more helpful and friendly. You could have a goal to do one extra helpful or friendly thing every day – and it might even help you get promoted too!

We all know that many New Year’s Resolutions don’t make it to February. Here are some tips to help you make them stick.

l Don’t try to do too much. It will be easier to stick to your new year’s resolutions if you just make one or two and then really focus on them.

l Write them down. Then put them where you’ll see them –perhaps on the fridge?

l Go public! Tell your friends or family what you’re planning to do and post your new year’s resolution on the FunMats campaign page on facebook to help inspire others too!

l Be specific. Think about actual things you will do like ‘telephoning mum at least once a week’ rather than general goals like ‘contact mum more’

l Remind yourself. We’re all busy, so pop a reminder in your diary/phone to give yourself a nudge throughout the year.

l Get the first time ‘under your belt’. So, if it’s visiting someone, do the first time a soon as you can in January. You’ll see how it makes them feel and you’ll probably feel pretty good too.

For more ideas and tips, and to support the campaign by posting your New Year’s Resolution, go to the New Year’s Resolutions FunMats page on Facebook. For more information on FunMats school fund-raising ideas go to www.FunMats.co.uk.