Travel Agents' New Year's Resolutions

It’s that time again: Time to make your New Year’s resolutions.

According to the American Psychological Association, the New Year is a time for people to reflect on their past year’s behavior and promise to make positive lifestyle changes.

“Setting small, attainable goals throughout the year, instead of a singular, overwhelming goal on January 1 can help you reach whatever it is you strive for,” says psychologist Lynn Bufka, Ph.D. “Remember, it is not the extent of the change that matters, but rather the act of recognizing that lifestyle change is important and working toward it, one step at a time.”

So what's on tap for travel agents as they look forward to the future?

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“My New Year’s resolutions are to track my goals better,” said Denise Lorentzen of Dreams Travel Consulting in Hughson, California. “I have not been as diligent on this. I will look at trends and base my marketing on months I typically have less traveling clients, so 2018 will be about numbers.”

Lisa Prosser of Chartwell Luxury Travel in Fairfield, New Jersey, said she resolves to stay organized “and keep up with my social media with the help of my awesome assistant who has a servant’s heart. I also resolve to travel more while staying on budget in an effort to keep learning.”

Hopefully, you won’t be able to find any VHS tapes in Elaine Carey’s office during 2018.

“As a Travel Advisor, my resolution this coming New Year is to clean out my office,” said Carey from Whispering Pines, North Carolina. “I resolve to get rid of all the old stuff, such as VHS tapes, old files, outdated brochures and tchotchkes from the numerous events attended over the past many years. I also have computer parts that have been outdated for years that need to be disposed of correctly. I'm going to get organized with the amount of space I have so it will, once again, be a pleasant work environment."

She promises she’ll start after she returns from her Christmas and New Year’s cruise.

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Michelle Weller of Travel Leaders in Houston, Texas said she likes making many New Year’s resolutions: “Probably the main one is to prop up my Disney business, so I have an excuse to go back there and do some ‘property inspections.'"

On a personal note, she is also participating in runDisney during 2018, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary.

“I want to train for the Princess Run,” she said. “You can run a 5k or a 10k through the Walt Disney World park wearing your Princess Mickey ears and a tutu, then Elsa makes a snowstorm overhead, Snow White waves and other magic happens as you run by. They also have a Star Wars run and Super Hero run, so, if I get really good I could dress up like Wonder Woman or Princess Leia.”

For her New Year’s resolutions, Pam MacIntyre wants to make sure that she can shrug some things off.

“In 18 years of doing this job, I’ve learned that some people, no matter what, you will not please them,” said MacIntyre of Travel Leaders in Maple Grove, Minnesota. “In that, I still take all that constructive feedback and strive to be that much better of an agent to my future clients, especially as we approach the New Year.”

READ MORE: 9 Ways to Become a Better Travel Agent

Of course, all travel agents should have this as their main resolution for the New Year:

“As a travel agent, my New Year’s resolution is to deliver wonderful travel opportunities to as many people as possible,” said Erica Papley, Group Leader and Business Development Specialist, All Aboard Travel from Fort Myers, Florida.

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