Habits worth keeping
Research suggests that while the majority of us make new year’s resolutions, only between 8-30% of us keep them for more than a few weeks. As fundraisers we know the best prediction of a person’s behaviour is to look at what they have done in the past – so instead of new resolutions, I’ve asked the Cairney & Company team to share good habits they’ve picked up in the last year and intend to take into 2025. Here are a few of their responses:
I started Tai Chi last year. Once or twice a week. Great for mental and physical wellbeing. – Ali Bond, leadership and mental well-being coach
About 80% of the time in the morning is my “me” time. Sometimes it is 15 minutes, sometimes it is longer where there is no one else awake and I get to be quiet and still with my thoughts and wherever they may take me. – Karen Cairney, Founder and CEO, Cairney & Company
My habit is using my travel time to listen to fundraising-related podcasts, event recordings, articles, etc. I listened to a playback of Jhumar Johnson speaking at Rob Woods' December Fundraising Breakfast for Fundraising Leaders whilst on the Oxford Tube recently and was reminded of the importance of carving out thinking time to help feel calmer and more effective. – Hannah Du Gray, partner
In 2024 I relished in the joy of meeting people for coffee. Specifically, I arranged to meet peers, friends, clients, and contacts in the sector not to chat about specific projects or proposals (I obviously do this too). However, meeting in this capacity and carving out time to focus on the bigger-picture things, and the non-work things. Giving myself space to be inspired by the amazing people we work with and know in the sector has helped me think creatively about the work we do and how we can best help our clients and have impact in the sector. – Annarosa Muscatelli, senior consultant
This year I have started scheduling dedicated time away from my desk for walks, treating it with the same importance as I would a meeting. This ensures I prioritise my well-being as part of my routine. Additionally, I plan to adhere more firmly to my boundaries by reserving specific days for calls, allowing me to allocate uninterrupted time for focused work. – Karen Ritchie, executive assistant to Karen Cairney
The habit I will be taking into the new year is to read more books. I'm already an avid reader, and listen to audiobooks and podcasts. But I miss the analogue, visceral experience of holding a book in my hands, getting away from screens, re-reading passages that are particularly insightful or beautifully written, and processing the words and images they conjure on a far deeper level. The benefits that reading in this way brings are so plentiful, not just for feeding my brain but also for my mental health and also (hopefully) inspiring my daughter to follow suit. I have a big pile of books on my 'to-read' pile and this is the year I will conquer it! – Olivia Dunn, brand copywriter and strategist
I started to take myself for a walk and coffee in the middle of the afternoon when I have time. It gives me more access to daylight and provides the caffeine jolt I need to push through to the end of the day. – Kurstin Finch Gnehm, senior partner
Karen Cairney also shared some great tips for making habits stick – something we all struggle with.
Start small: if a habit feels too big or onerous you won’t get started
Pair your new habit with an existing routine, morning coffee, travelling to work, etc
Track your progress: write down each day what you managed to do
Reward yourself for consistent practice – this could be a simple self-acknowledgement
Make sure the habit is something you will enjoy doing and is attractive to you
Essentially keep it simple, make it part of your daily routine and reward yourself!
As we step into 2025, these reflections remind us that impactful habits don't need to be grand resolutions—they can be small, intentional actions that nurture our well-being, creativity, and connections. From coffee catch-ups to scheduled walks, Tai Chi to reading physical books, these practices demonstrate how prioritising ourselves and our passions can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life. Here’s to carrying these meaningful habits forward and making 2025 a year of growth, purpose, and joy.
