Considering a New Year’s Resolution for 2018? Baylor Experts Can Help

Many Americans seek New Year’s resolutions. Whether personal, like losing weight or clearing clutter, or professional, like being a better manager or breaking away from smartphones, the options vary. Here is a listing of Baylor University research that might help advise those seeking positive change in 2018.

BREAK AWAY FROM YOUR SMARTPHONE (James Roberts and Meredith David)

“Our inability to separate from technology is devastating to our well-being,” said James Roberts, Ph.D., professor of marketing. “Even if it’s not an addiction, it’s a deeply ingrained habit.”

BE MORE GENEROUS (Andy Hogue)

“Whatever our station, however much money or resources we have, we all have something to share and something to give," said Andy Hogue, Ph.D, director of the Philanthropy and Public Service Program. "I like the idea of thinking in terms of a New Year’s resolution, sort of resolving to be more generous and helping people to think in those ways.”

CLEAR OUT THE CLUTTER (Elise King)

“Don’t try to organize the entire house in one weekend,” said Elise King, assistant professor in the department of family and consumer sciences. “You are much more likely to complete a task, especially one that you’ve probably been avoiding, if you break it into small goals. Don’t try to clean out an entire room over a weekend; instead, focus on the desk one week, the closet the next, and so forth.”

TRY A NEW APPROACH TO DIETING (Meredith David)

“Our research shows that instead of creating rules to avoid one’s favorite treats, dieters should focus on eating healthy foods that they enjoy,” said Meredith David, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing.

BE MORE PRODUCTIVE AT WORK (Emily Hunter)

“When you give to one domain, you must take from the other. There are only so many hours in the day,” Hunter said.

ASK: IS IT REALLY BETTER TO WORK FROM HOME? (Sara Perry)

Many people dream of working from home. And with today’s technology – everything from phone calls and email to texting and videoconferences – maintaining "virtual" communications with the team seems to be easier than ever. But is virtual teamwork productive? Are managers really getting the most out of their teams when virtuality is involved?

“Under the conditions of higher virtuality, you need people to hold you accountable, to prevent the virtuality from letting you stray or ‘loaf,’” said Sara Perry, assistant professor of management.

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