Laura Baker
Editor’s note: The Daily Reporter will feature our “Neighbors” each month, whether it be someone with an interesting hobby or profession, or a nonprofit group making a difference in our community. Here, Laura Baker, a navigator at Healthy365, shares tips on how to keep New Year’s resolutions obtainable and long-lasting. If you know a person or a group that you’d like to see featured in Neighbors, email [email protected].
Daily Reporter: Do you recommend making a New Years Resolution?
Laura Baker: I feel like each day is a day to wake up, reflect and evaluate what is working for you to bring you closer to your values. But a new year brings new hope, and an opportunity to leave one chapter of life behind and begin the new year with the next page of your new chapter in life.
DR: Do you have tips on how to set a realistic resolution or goal?
LB: The best resolutions I have experienced for myself and others is, instead of making a list of specific goals you want to accomplish for the new year, first reflect on your life and the values you have in life and pick a word on phrase that helps you to focus on what you want to change for the year. For example, instead of making a goal of “I want to lose weight,” maybe you want 2022 to be the year of “Health.” Then think, “Why do I want to be healthier?” More energy to run around with my kids? Your word would then be “Energy.” Write down “Energy” on your paper. Then write down what you would do with more energy. Then pick one action you can start working on that you feel would give you more energy, and work on that one thing. The first thing that comes to my mind is sleep. Make a goal to be in bed by 10 p.m. every night. Pick a date to start that behavior. Pick a timeline to stick to it, maybe one week. At the end of that week reflect: Did that help? Can I do better? What can I add this week to feel more energized?
DR: What advice would you give to someone who works at their resolution for a few weeks but then gets discouraged or gets back into old habits?
LB: I would suggest reflecting a few minutes each week, just like you do at the new year. What is working for you and what isn’t? Then pick one small action step to move toward that goal. If you are struggling where to start, I would encourage you to reach out to some place like Healthy365, Wellspring or the Women’s Resource Center to help you talk through what goals would be helpful for you and how to get started. There are so many wonderful resources out there that many people do not even know about.
DR: What are some tips on keeping a New Year’s resolution?
1. Write them down. 2. Write small action steps that you can start working on right away. 3. Give yourself a timeline and a way to stay accountable by either tracking or finding a person you can check in with. 4. Evaluate what is working often and be willing to change your goal if needed.
