Three Achievable New Year's Resolutions

Thinking about what New Year's resolutions you'll be implementing this year? FloVolleyball senior editor Megan Kaplon shares three of her own.

Dec 31, 2016 by Megan Kaplon

I tend to shy away from making New Year's resolutions. They often seem to have the opposite effect of what was intended. You join a gym but don't go after the first two weeks. You give up sugar and then binge on donuts and soda after a few days of deprivation.

A good resolution stays well within the realm of reality. Here are a few resolutions I'm willing to commit to in 2017, and perhaps they will inspire you as well.

1. Use screen time wisely.

While traveling over the holidays, I spent a number of days working from my parents' house. Those were some of the my most efficient work days ever. When I knew that I could do fun things with my family as soon as I finished my work, I kept the extraneous browsing and social media scrolling to a minimum.

I realized how much more I could fit in if I approached every day with the same attitude. Instead of browsing Instagram as I drink my morning coffee, I'll try to read one chapter of a book. On the weekends, I'd like to be social-media free (with work-related exceptions, of course). A recent CNN article reported that American adults spend more than 10 hours a day looking at a screen--every small thing you do to bring that number down will be worth it.

2. Make specific fitness goals.

Work out more. Get in shape. Lose weight. Those are vague goals that will be easy to ignore and difficult to determine when they've been achieved.

Instead, I'm going to try something like this: increase my squat max by 35 pounds, do 10 pull-ups in a row, or try three new workout classes.

Especially for former elite athletes who are no longer training with a team, making progress with personal fitness can be a challenge. Hopefully, drilling down and making measureable, achievable targets will help take the place of sport-related goals.

3. Attend more live volleyball events.

Watching volleyball on TV is great and every additional person who tunes in is valuable for ratings but don't forget to get out of the house and go watch some live volleyball. It really is an entirely different experience.

After watching the first four rounds of the NCAA Division I women's volleyball tournament on TV, Katie and I got to sit in press row at the final four. The music, the cheerleaders, the fans, the up-close-and-personal action--it all reminded me that there is something incredible and unique about live sports. Check out your local college team's schedule and put the AVP tour stops in your calendar. Support our sport with your presence and your dollars.