By Jeremy Tiers, Senior Director of Admissions Services
3 minute read
Making resolutions is one of the most popular things we do at the beginning of each year. Unfortunately most people admittedly fail to start, stop, or keep up with their well-intentioned thoughts and commitments. Research says only 9% of Americans who make resolutions actually complete them.
The good news is it’s NEVER too late to turn over a new leaf whether it’s this week, next month, or later this year. Doing it is what matters most – you got this!
Here are 24 things that have been on my mind a lot when it comes to Higher Education, Enrollment Management, Personal Growth, and Leadership. I encourage you to spend a moment (or maybe longer) reflecting on each one.
- Self-care isn’t something you find time for. You have to make time for it. You are the most important person in your life and it’s harder to be a good friend, colleague, or leader if you don’t consistently take care of yourself physically and mentally.
- If someone was asked to describe you in a few words, what would they say? And what would you want them to say?
- Your mindset determines how you show up every day. If you have the mindset of “I don’t know how,” psychologists have proven our behavior aligns with our thoughts. You have to insert belief. Start using language like “I don’t know how to do that yet but I’m ready to learn and try.”
- It’s hard to grow when everything is status quo.
- You’re going to make mistakes, have a misstep, or fail, especially when you try something new. Be okay with it. It’s about progress, not perfection.
- Intentionality matters. Be more intentional with the questions you ask prospective students and/or their parents.
- If you supervise other people, be intentional with the way you lead and manage them. And don’t ever push or undervalue 1-on-1 meetings.
- If you aren’t getting the communication or support that you need from your boss, be willing to start a conversation and ask for it. It’s not inappropriate to do that no matter what your job title is.
- Empathy and kindness are needed more than ever.
- We all make decisions based on how we feel – that includes prospective and current students. They won’t remember all the information you give them, but they will 100% remember how they felt at different points in time.
- Storytelling creates connections and storytelling differentiates.
- Gen Z and Gen Alpha are both experience focused and experience driven generations.
- How you build your relationships is more important than how many relationships you build.
- When you build strong relationships, you’re building brand.
- Worth and value mean different things to different people. And what people value can change over time.
- Word of mouth continues to be the best form of marketing and ‘yield’ starts when a student first hears about your school.
- Communicating earlier, more often, and in a more personal way with parents will increase your ‘yield.’
- Be relatable, not robotic.
- Get engagement first, give information second.
- Never get bored with the basics.
- Practice gratitude each week (or even each day) out loud by saying one thing you’re grateful for.
- There is no perfect ‘work-life’ balance. Are you happy with yours? That’s the key.
- Question to ask yourself and answer – What’s one thing I need to START doing?
- Question to ask yourself and answer – What’s one thing I need to STOP doing?
What resonated most with you? Let me know by dropping me an email here.
And if you found this article helpful, forward it to someone else who could also benefit from reading it.