Happy New Year! So now it’s officially January 2015 and you’ve likely made a resolution or two that you are gearing up to follow through with. If you’re not set up for success, it’s that much harder to achieve it—and every step towards your goals involved preparation and a lot of effort over the months ahead.
Continuing Your Education
Goals in the area of self-improvement are also oftentimes career-focused, which goes hand-in-hand with engaging in experiences that allow us to learn how to be the best professional in our respective fields. We are fortunate to live in a time where there is a program of study out there for everyone, and plenty of options that allow for traditional and non-traditional students alike to reach their goals.
Flexibility is certainly one of the most important facets of any program; we are all busy people and to be successful at anything, there has to be a way to integrate it into our daily lives and hectic schedules without setting ourselves up for failure. The best part of so many post-high school programs today is not only their diversity but that they are specifically designed to incorporate time in the classroom with time in the field and various online applications—or can even be completed entirely online. Especially for those who aspire to be future business leaders, an MBA program will equip students with the qualitative and quantitative skills required to excel in the business world.
Nichole MacDonald, associate director of MBA programs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, offers several key pieces of advice for those considering the pursuit of an MBA degree:
1. When prepping for admission into an MBA program, one of the biggest hurdles to overcome is taking the GMAT entrance exam. At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, we help students prepare by offering GMAT Strategy Workshops. In these sessions, each section of the test is explained, sample questions are discussed and study plans are developed for success.
2. One key consideration when selecting an MBA program is course delivery method. At UNL we offer both on-campus and online options. All of our MBA students receive the same caliber education because the same professors teaching on-campus are also teaching the equivalent course via the online route. This differentiates our online MBA program among the majority of other institutions.
3. When considering the realm of MBA programs, students should not only look at the cost of the program, but also the quality. Rankings are one way to measure these factors. Our MBA program is AACSB accredited and is ranked 6th in the nation among online programs by U.S. News & World Report.
Here are some of our most notable rankings of the MBA program at UNL:
Although rankings are important, it is also wise to reach out to students who are currently enrolled in the program to collect feedback on various topics, such as advising and career services, collaboration between faculty and students, as well as networking in and outside the classroom.
4. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s MBA program can fit anyone’s schedule. Students take classes at their own pace, allowing time for work and other personal responsibilities. Eight-week sessions provide quality education with timely results. With the flexibility of online, on-campus or a combination, course scheduling can be customized around one’s other commitments.
Leading a Healthier Lifestyle
This is a resolution many of us set for ourselves–and one that really takes a commitment on a daily basis. Making better decisions about what we put into our bodies and regarding the products that we use on a daily basis is just as important as increasing our daily activity level or hitting the gym regularly.
“I think for most people the ultimate goal is to lead a healthier and happier life,” says Lisa Humphrey, Whole Body Team Leader at Whole Foods in Omaha. “What that means to each person is different, but we can provide clarification and information on a number of topics including: nutrition/diet, supplementation, personal care, and skincare to name a few. There are numerous benefits to leading a healthier lifestyle, but I think obviously feeling better and having more energy can be a top benefit. Also, living a more balanced and authentic life can be another benefit from seeking this sort of path.
At Whole Foods Market®, we’re passionate about great-tasting food in its purest state. That’s why our quality standards for food prohibit hydrogenated fats and artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives — and that’s just to start. We base our decisions not just on food chemistry, but also ideology, philosophy, proper labeling, and a careful evaluation of the promise we’ve made to our customers. We consider ourselves buying agents for our shoppers, not sales agents for manufacturers.”
“We take our responsibility seriously, knowing that our standards not only determine what goes on our shelves, but they also influence the way that food is grown, processed, marketed and regulated around the world,” emphasizes Cassandra Zywiec, Marketing and Community Relations Specialist at Whole Foods. “Programs such as our 5-Step Animal Welfare ratings in our Meat Department and our Seafood Sustainability ratings truly allow our customers to make well-informed decisions. In the fall of 2014, Whole Foods Market rolled out our brand new produce Responsibly Grown rating system. We are working more closely than ever with farmer partners who support our commitment to quality, human health and the environment.”
Humphrey adds, “I think the most important thing is to make a sustainable change. Sometimes it’s good to start with a small step rather than deciding to change everything in your life at once. We hope to help our customers make lifelong changes that just become part of their healthy lifestyle rather than direct someone to a radical diet (for example) that they can’t sustain.
In addition to making well informed food buying decisions, a great place to get started on a healthier you is our Whole Body Department. Whether you are coming in looking for education to make a major life makeover, a small step in that direction, or if you already live a healthy active lifestyle and just desire to make a few slight changes, we have offerings for everybody no matter where you are on your path. Team Members have a wealth of knowledge about products throughout the whole store and we love to share this knowledge and educate about product differentiators so each customer can make the best decision for their life.
We would encourage people to consider all aspects of their life when making a New Year’s resolution. Whole Foods Market is America’s Healthiest Grocery Store®, but we are about more than just food. You might eat a fairly healthy and clean diet, but maybe this is the year you will give more thought to what you put on your skin, what you clean your house with, what you feed your pets, or what your t-shirts and socks are made out of or how they are made. These are all topics we are well-versed on and happy to discuss with our customers as they embrace the New Year. To learn more about us and our products, visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/omaha.”
Nutrition plays a very important part in all health-related goals as it is the foundation for how our body functions—good or bad. Max Muscle is an excellent source to utilize if incorporating better nutrition is a part of your New Year’s resolutions, as they offer customized nutritional planning that takes into account your gender as well as other factors such as age, height, weight, body fat percentage, activity level, and workout schedule. This allows them to tailor a nutrition plan to fit your metabolic requirements and lifestyle in order to achieve your specific goals. The team at Max Muscle is composed of experienced and educated professionals who will provide you with the best customer service and knowledge in the business. Steve Lucchino, the Omaha Metro Max Muscle store director, and Jason Reese, the Papillion store director, offer a combined 12+ years of experience to offer their customers and employees.
When speaking about the benefits of setting your goals for 2015 around leading a healthier lifestyle, Lucchino says, “The benefits are endless. We must first control what we put in our mouth and how we think of ourselves before we can give our all to anything else in life. If we feel good about who we are, and how we feel on the inside and outside, there is no end to what we can achieve. We take the time to understand your expectations, goals and time table, current eating habits, and exercise program in order to tailor our recommendations and advice. Also, we emphasize and fully explain the importance of losing body fat while maintaining or gaining lean muscle mass, and we stress that the scale is not indicative of success or failure. Body composition is the most important measure of success. Knowledge is power, so educating our customers on proper nutrition is the most important aspect of our in-store experience. This includes educating on what macro nutrients are and how they work in our body as well as explaining ‘smart supplementation,’ meaning we supplement for what we cannot get from our diet for goal specific reasons. Education is absolutely essential and it is the first step in not only helping our clients reach their goals, but also maintaining and progressing from there!”
He adds, “There is no better time than now to focus your goals on better nutrition and a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle. No one can put a price on our health or on the quality of life; it is up to us through proper nutrition, supplementation, and exercise to enjoy a great quality of life and to know we did our part for ourselves and our loved ones to stay on this earth as long as humanly possible by controlling the few things we can (nutrition, supplementation, and exercise). At Max Muscle Metro, we genuinely care and want everyone to have a long, healthy, and happy life. We are here to educate you and assist you in each of these ways on your journey to personal success.”
If you’re specifically in the market for protein, Just Good Meat is a great resource for finding just about any type of meat you’re looking for. “We have a lot of clients who participate in body competitions or who work out regularly and are on a strict protein regimen,” explains Sean Fuller, owner of Just Good Meat. “We take great pride in being knowledgeable about our products and nutritional requirements for these clients, and we cater to their specific needs. We also help people who are simply trying to eat healthier or who must obey their doctor’s or dietician’s orders due to health conditions or to avoid future health issues. As a prime example, we carry buffalo which is lower in cholesterol and higher in protein than beef. It is always important to be proactive and health concerns should be taken very seriously, which is why we try to offer prices that are affordable for our clients on specialty products such as buffalo and a wide variety of fishes.
It is also very important to us that our products are the very best—they are all natural, locally sourced, hormone free, and only administered antibiotics as needed as opposed to on a scheduled basis. We also age our meat in house, which is a standard we live by because without aging you won’t get the flavor or tenderness that you should. We offer an organic line at a very affordable price as well.
We always enjoy assisting our customers when it comes to choosing the right items to complement their diet. Furthermore, we can certainly offer a few new ideas or our advice on how to cook or prepare a certain cut of meat that they’ve never tried before. We also have many prepared items that are very popular among our customers. I can’t stress enough how important it is to be conscious of what goes into your body, and resolving to improve in this area is a great goal to set for yourself in 2015. We’d be happy to help in any way we can, and with over 800 different products to offer, we invite you to stop in to the store or visit us online at justgoodmeatomaha.com to check out everything we have to offer.”
Pursuing a New Hobby
Taking on a new hobby is also an excellent New Year’s resolution, especially if it is something you have always wanted to learn or do.
“When you are making resolutions, be sure to focus on more than just self-improvement,” advises Gerry Phelan of Midwest Woodworkers. “Choosing to take up a new hobby or learning a new skill provides personal satisfaction, expands your horizons and provides a limitless creative outlet. Naturally, I would recommend woodworking! We all have an inner urge to be creative and woodworking combines creativity with the satisfaction of making something with your hands. Plus you can make practical or decorative items you can use or pass on to others. Resolving to learn a new skill or reviving a long-dormant hobby is an excellent way to start the new year.
Woodworking is a discipline that requires training and experience to be proficient. Plus you need access to tools before you can even get started. Consider some classes as a way to start. It will give you a chance to evaluate what disciplines interest you and you can try them without making a big investment in equipment. Midwest Woodworkers offers classes specifically aimed at helping people get started. Our classes are small, 3-5 people at most and are very ‘hands-on’. We start with safety and make sure everyone understands the equipment and the techniques. Most of our classes involve making a project you can take home with you.
And ladies, this isn’t just a ‘guy thing’. We see more and more women getting involved in classes and taking up woodworking.
Becoming proficient will take time, but you can make things as you gain experience and you can enjoy the process. Even if your projects aren’t perfect, you’ve invested your energy and creativity into transforming wood. That is the definition of a woodworker.”
He adds, “Whatever you choose when you are making your New Year’s resolutions be sure to include safety. I’ve been a woodworker for thirty years and fortunately I‘m still counting to ten on my fingers. I’ve never had a serious injury, but it’s not because I’m lucky. It’s because I have a healthy respect for my tools and I pay attention to safety. Woodworking involves powerful tools with very sharp edges. Understanding how to use them safely is critical. I would urge anyone who is interested in woodworking as a hobby to get advice and training to be sure you can enjoy working safely.
Whatever your hobby, and whether you are experienced or just beginning, resolve to be safe in 2015.”
No matter what your resolution, there are always local resources available to lead you along the path to success—you just have to know where to look. One of the best parts about living in the Omaha area is that there are so many professionals who are using their knowledge and talent daily to help others reach their goals and live their dreams. With a fresh start and a new year ahead, if you haven’t already made your New Year’s resolutions, it’s never too late to set a few goals for 2015!