New Years Resolutions in Omaha, NE 2018

Hey Strictly Business readers: What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2018? Whether you still have yet to make one or know what your goal is but don’t have a plan in place, there’s work to be done starting now!

A New Year’s resolution is a tradition in which a person resolves to change an undesired trait or behavior, to accomplish a personal goal, or otherwise improve his or her life. There’s just something about the beginning of a brand new year that inspires us to live it purposefully in the pursuit of bettering ourselves or “living the dream.”

Whatever that may be for you, how do you plan to make it happen? It’s no big secret that your success will ultimately be determined by your follow-through. Cue the advice of our local experts who have firsthand experience with helping their clients and customers meet their goals and exceed them, and who are invested in the outcome right along with you!

To kick things off, one of the most notorious areas of focus is improved health and wellness. There are of course numerous resolutions involving this as the intended outcome. Yet, it’s also a byproduct of many other resolutions, such as the running your first marathon or fitting into your grandmother’s wedding dress for your upcoming nuptials. As such, there will be common denominators that apply across the board, but also varying elements involved depending on the specific resolution.

Whatever your health-related goal, whether it’s weight loss, eating clean, walking over 10,000 steps a day, building muscle, toning problem areas, athletic training, lowering your blood pressure, eliminating cigarettes or alcohol, reducing stress, becoming more proactive about your healthcare, etc., it will require effort and commitment.

“Especially with cancer being much more prevalent than ever before and affecting all ages, many are resolving to be more proactive about their own health and wellness as well as spreading knowledge and encouraging their loved ones to do the same,” says Dan Cinotto with FirstScan. “As for our area of focus, MRI for the early detection of prostate cancer, we’re encouraged that it’s now part of the conversation. With MRI, we’ve made a process that is unpleasant in general much more tolerable, and the accuracy of the results is remarkable. When MRI doesn’t find anything to biopsy, there’s a pretty good chance you don’t need to go through with it.

If you’ve been putting this type of screening off for whatever reason, I encourage you to keep an open mind and don’t let fear or apprehension hold you back. You’d be amazed at how much progress has been made in recent years.

As we enter into a new year, deductibles reset so people tend to put off what they perceive to be more expensive procedures such as radiology. However, when you’re talking about prostate cancer, waiting tends to be the problem. The earlier it is caught, the better the outcome. Get in to the doctor for your annual physical and if you have an elevated PSA, understand that you have options moving forward. Do your research and be prepared to present your findings to your physician so that you can evaluate the options together, including the ones that might not have been brought up otherwise for whatever reason. When you are an active participant in the conversation instead of just accepting the suggestions at face value, you’ll be better able to direct it towards what is best for you personally. We are also happy to answer any questions or provide more information about what we have to offer at FirstScan and the costs, benefits, procedure, etc. There’s a common misconception that a procedure like MRI can cost thousands of dollars, and while that might be true in a hospital setting, we’ve been able to get the costs down to a very affordable price for what we’re able to offer. Call us, email us, stop in and talk to us – here at FirstScan, we welcome those conversations.

Especially for men over 50, as you make your health-conscious New Year’s resolutions, keep this top-of-mind as you prepare for your annual physical or to move forward with the process of prostate cancer screening.”

Then there’s the things you might resolve to do to reduce stress or increase your overall enjoyment of life. A good example of this is devoting more time to a hobby or picking up a new one that you’ve always wanted to try.

“Most New Year’s resolutions tend to focus on some form of self-improvement,” says Gerry Phelan with Woodcraft. “It’s that time when we look forward and start to think about a better future (and maybe feel a little guilty about the past). That can lead to resolutions ranging from losing weight to starting a new career and everything in between. I think resolving to learn a new skill or revive a long-dormant hobby is an excellent way to start the new year.

I love to see people take up woodworking. It offers the satisfaction of making something with your hands and a limitless creative outlet. Often folks are interested, but aren’t sure where to start. And it can be a bit daunting when you see the work others have done. Becoming proficient will take time, but you can make things as you gain experience and you can enjoy the learning process. Even if your projects aren’t perfect, you’ve invested your energy and creativity into something productive.

That being said, it is difficult to take that first step if you don’t have someone to show you the way. Woodworking is a discipline that requires training and experience to be proficient and you need access to tools before you can even get started. Consider some classes as a way to begin. It will give you a chance to evaluate what disciplines interest you and you can try them without making a big investment.

We offer classes aimed at helping people get started that cover everything from carving to pen making to cabinet making and everything in between. They are small, with 3-5 people at most and are very ‘hands-on.’ Not only do you go home with a project, you also develop life skills that you can use forever. We start with safety and make sure everyone understands the equipment and the techniques. And this isn’t just a ‘guy thing’. We see more and more women getting involved in classes and taking up woodworking.

Resolve to get so focused on a project that for a while you forget about all your problems. It will be good for you. And you may surprise yourself with what you are able to create.”

He concludes, “By definition, New Year’s resolutions are a promise to do something in the future. Too often those promises are broken because we don’t take the first step before our resolve fades away. Don’t let your resolutions wither – take the first step right away. Make a commitment. Give us a call and sign up for a class. When you are making your New Year’s resolution, include a new hobby as something positive you do for yourself. Then jump right into your new hobby so you can enjoy it all year.”

Also related to self-improvement, many people resolve to enroll in college, further their education or obtain an advanced degree, complete a licensure or certification process, participate in training or learn a new skill to apply to their profession, pursue career advancement opportunities, or switch careers entirely to follow their true passions. Whatever the case may be, aspiring towards this type of goal now is something your future self will thank you for later on down the line.

“Soon, more than 70 percent of all jobs in Nebraska will require education beyond high school so getting the education needed to move ahead would be an opportune resolution,” says Mary Niemiec with NU Online, University of Nebraska. “The University of Nebraska (NU) can be instrumental in helping students achieve this resolution. University of Nebraska faculty and staff are partners in helping all students either on campus or online reach their academic goals.

Collectively, more than 125 fully-online programs are offered from the University of Nebraska’s four campuses – University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska Medical Center and University of Nebraska at Omaha. This depth of academic offerings provides students with choice and flexibility. Whether they are looking to complete a degree or earn a new one, students can select from numerous areas of study at the undergraduate, graduate and professional level. Programs are offered in the areas of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Computer Science and Information Systems, Business, Education, Engineering, Health Professions, Nursing, Public Administration, Public Health, and more.

Through online learning, the University of Nebraska is able to provide access for students to take a path that fits their needs and lifestyle. A student may transfer credits earned through an associate’s degree to complete a bachelor’s degree, earn a master’s degree or pursue a Ph.D. or professional degree. NU faculty who teach online are devoted to student engagement, academic achievement, and success. Teams of instructional designers and technicians work closely with faculty to maximize the use of technology in teaching and enhance the learning outcomes for our students.

I encourage those who are ready to start pursuing a resolution of advancing their education to visit the University of Nebraska Online’s website at online.nebraska.edu. Here you can view NU’s online offerings including program descriptions, admission requirements, course information, tuition and fee details, and connect with a program that will help you achieve your resolution.”

She adds, “There are several things students can do to help ensure they are successful in their resolutions. First, set a specific professional or personal goal that aligns with your resolution. Students can apply George Doran’s framework and make their goals SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely). Then, consider how an academic program aligns with the goal. At the University of Nebraska, advisers are available to help students navigate and understand what program matches individual goals.

Finally, as a student at the University of Nebraska, whether taking courses online or on campus, be sure to take advantage of the many student support services offered by NU campuses. Students have access to library resources, financial aid, career counseling, and tutoring. Utilizing these services is what helps students to be successful.”

There are so many more resolutions that we haven’t covered, but the takeaway is that whatever you set out to do, be sure to see it through! You already know it’s worth it because it’s going to improve your life in some way, so in addition to putting in the effort in the coming weeks, set your sights further than that and formulate a plan for accountability purposes. After all, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

Similarly, instead of going it alone and hoping for the best, team up with a professional to tap into their knowledge and experience, and who will guide you and be one of your biggest cheerleaders. Now make it happen in 2018 – let’s do this, everyone!