Written by: Rachelle Anne C. Hablado
Pubmat by: Rafaella De Jesus
The most typical day of the year for people to strike the metaphorical "reset button" is New Year's Day. Some people pledge to lose weight, while others desire to spend more time with their loved ones. Even so, why do people set resolutions, and what is it about the start of a new year that engenders such optimism for change? Do HROM students at the Pamantasan believe in making resolutions for the new year?
The New Year provides a blank slate – a chance of doing things correctly. By establishing new goals and fulfilling them, one can experience having the guts and confidence to feel in control of their own life. People have shed a thousand skins to become the person they are today. Resolving to start anew offers the opportunity to create something greater.
Two (2) students each from the HRM and OM communities agreed to share their thoughts regarding this topic. They are both in their first year of college (freshmen) and leaders. Given that they are still in their freshman year, they frequently associate resolutions with making a commitment or setting a goal, and the New Year is a great time to accomplish so because it offers a fresh start. Ideally, New Year's resolutions can educate youngsters on how to develop and consistently work toward goals as early as now. This might assist them in setting worthwhile objectives that they can maintain. Unlike in higher years, these freshmen still have a long journey ahead of them. For this reason, we conducted a written interview to find out how these resolutions will help them become better human resources and operation management professionals in the future as young leaders.
Erson Clarence Condicion, a 1st year student at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, an HRM major, and a Committee Officer for Training and Development shares his insights about New Year’s resolutions.
“People make New Year’s resolutions because it’s that time of the year wherein it’s like a recap of everything that happened, kumbaga Spotify Wrapped siya in real life. It’s a time kung saan nirereflect mo yung pagkatao mo and kung saan ka pa pwedeng mag-improve base from the action that was made this year…,” says Erson. People make resolutions for a variety of reasons. It might be for that person to attempt something new, develop themselves, or feel satisfied with themselves. Making and committing to the things they want to do for the upcoming year, represents an opportunity for them to start the year strong with these commitments.
Erson also shares his New Year’s resolutions as an HRM student. He stated, “As someone na hindi sure sa sarili hindi ako gumagawa talaga ng mga resolutions kasi takot ako magcommit...Mahilig kasi ako magimagine ng mga bagay na gusto kong gawin but at the end hindi ko nagagawa…But entering college change my whole perspective in things which lead me to things that I want to improve myself, a resolution kumbaga. As an HRM major, I’m aiming for better social skills as my major requires working with people. Being a mahiyaing person naglelead ito sa mga missed opportunities na makakatulong talaga sa akin. Better working habit na rin siguro kasi may tendency akong gawin lahat…it could be harmful for myself, syempre kailangan isipin ang sarili. Aside from that better physicality na rin siguro to keep my health in check para hindi mabilis mapagod…Lastly, as someone who believes in self-love, dapat sa lahat ng gagawin ko hindi ko makakalimutan sarili ko…” Erson has been able to recognize all of his shortcomings from this year, and he typically uses them as a guide to improve as a person in the upcoming year. He demonstrates a strong will to succeed in overcoming his flaws and utilizing them to his advantage. He will succeed for sure because of his tenacity.
As a leader and a committee officer of training and development, he undoubtedly faces challenges during his period, and as a result, a resolution must have taken place inside him. This is what he said, “Being a JPMAP member, it led me to things that I didn’t think that I would do like yung being part of the Team Building, isa yun sa mga naging accomplishment ko this year…Siguro isa yun sa mga resolution ko as an officer, to be more involve or to be participate in the plannings of event na nakakatulong sa buong HROM community…As someone from CTD, responsibility naming na makaisip ng ways for the improvement of an individual kaya when doing something big again kagaya ng team building, I wish to make a full-proof plan na maglelead sa improvement ng buong HROM. Siguro ang huli kong resolution ‘wag matakot sa ibibigay sa aking mga responsibility, kasi at the end of they day yung mga responsibility na yun makakatulong din sa akin at buong org…” Erson has demonstrated empathy and a desire to develop not only as a leader, but also as an individual. He aspires to be able to contribute more to the planning and organization of the JPMAP's events in the upcoming year.
When asked whether he can keep his resolutions this year, he answered, “It’s hard to say if itong mga resolution na ‘to ay magagawa ko kasi we can’t predict what will happen in the year…Hindi na need maghintay ng isang taon para magplano anong kailangan baguhin sa sarili. Marami rin ang nakakalimot ng mga resolutions na ‘to pero I think ang silver lining in making these things is that nagseserve ito as a guide for a better you…” Erson believes that there is no need for haste. It is not necessary to fulfill one's resolutions within a year; doing so would only add unnecessary pressure. There shouldn't be any pressure on someone who wants to develop because it could result in damaging negative emotions. Regarding himself, he will make every effort to carry out his promises and adopt a positive outlook that will lead to an improved version of himself.
Erson believed that the resolutions will help someone in the future develop into a better HR professional. He claimed that it can act as a guide for someone to enhance their life, particularly with the career they will choose. “Every day I learn and is stored within myself… Working in HR will not be easy but I believe these resolutions that led into improvement can help make things easier.” Resolutions have a lot to teach and can aid in self-reflection regarding one's strengths and weaknesses, thus they can be valuable and serve as an asset in the future.
Maggie Regacho, a 1st year student at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, an OM major, and a block president also shares her thoughts on New Year’s resolutions.
“People make New Year’s Resolutions because they want to change. People like the sense of being able to renew themselves for the better” Change enables us to advance in life and take part in novel and interesting experiences. Life might become stagnant if you don't actively focus on improving yourself. Learning new things or working on your inner self can result in changes you didn't know were possible is what Maggie is attempting to convey.
When asked about her own New Year’s resolution and what is something she wants to change as an HRM major and a leader, she gave a succinct but very clear response, “I want to focus more on improving myself gradually. Overcoming my fear of recitations, building more friendships, and letting myself rest.” A very firm yet creatively strategic in overcoming her fears.
Like Erson, she doesn't believe it should be urgent for her to be capable of adhering to her resolutions completely in a short period of time. She recognizes that it will take time and that adjustment is necessary. “I personally don't believe in changing instantly when the clock strikes 12 or at a snap of a finger. What I believe in is progress, the ups and downs of trying to achieve a goal. That is how I'm sure that I can keep up with my resolutions,” says Maggie. When we go through change, we transition from what we had known and done to the desired new way of acting and performing our jobs. As per Maggie, one cannot totally evolve without experiencing some challenges and triumphs in life. One shouldn't become weary while going through the lengthy process.
Maggie believed that anything that will improve us as humans, whether resolutions or anything, guide someone to become a better HR professional. “Anything that will improve us as humans, may it be communicating more or taking a different route on the way home, guides us a bit...” With this, no matter what circumstances one may face, we have the determination to surpass everything. “Because whether we fail or succeed, there will always be a lesson learned,” says Maggie.
As future professionals, there are many aspects of the workplace that we are responsible for. Human Resources and Operation Management are constantly growing and becoming more important to organizations. In keeping with this growth, the new year creates a great reason to do better this year than the last.
This chapter may be ending, but it doesn’t mean that it is forgotten. Many of us learned so much from the past – whom to trust, how to respond, the hardships we’ve grown from, and how strong we’ve become despite our circumstances. May the next chapter usher in fresh starts. Where balance prevails over perfection for everyone. Select what is consistent with who they are rather than what is practical. Prioritize being in the moment over multitasking. Spend some time today pausing to reflect on what the past has taught them as well as what the future has in store for them. May Mr. Erson Clarence Condicion and Ms. Naggie Regacho fulfill their resolutions just as the readers of this article do in their endeavors to become successful Human Resources and Operations Management professionals in the future. Here's to new beginnings!
References:
Why Do People Make New Year’s Resolutions? | Piedmont Healthcare. (n.d.). https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/why-do-people-make-new-years-resolutions
Bader, V. (2020, October 26). The 7 Most Important New Year’s Resolutions for HR in 2020. Primalogik. https://primalogik.com/blog/the-7-most-important-new-years-resolutions-for-hr-in-2020/
13 New Year’s Resolutions for HR Professionals. (2018, December 19). ERC. https://www.yourerc.com/blog/post/13-new-years-resolutions-for-hr-professionals
