Millions of Americans ring in the New Year with resolutions to improve their lives. According to statistics from www.usa.gov, some of the more common resolutions include saving money, finding a better job, losing weight and even making an effort to stop smoking. The Hownikan sampled Tribal employees on their resolutions for the next year. While many of these goals are practically universal in the United States, there are also some Potawatomi-centric resolutions that Tribal members may also be interested in pursuing in 2015.
Resolution 5: Save Money
“I would say the best way to start saving money in the New Year is to have it taken directly from your paycheck and deposited into a savings account, or better yet a 401(k),” said CPN’s Chief Financial Officer Susan Blair. “If your employer matches a percent of your 401(k), than that is like free money. If you never get the money to begin with then you don’t have the opportunity to spend it on something else.”
Resolution 4: Find a Better Job
“There are many different ways to improve your chances of being hired for a better job,” explained Hollie Garcia, Senior Human Resource Generalist for CPN. “Continue to be a good employee at your current job. Word of mouth is one of the most successful ways to get your name and your work ethic out there. Don’t burn any bridges with your current employer or any other networking resource. You never know when you might need them.
“Utilize all job seeking resources and network as much as possible. You can never tell who might know a connection that can get your foot in the door for a better position. One of the easiest ways to stay on top of people’s mind is by updating your status on social networks by keeping your updates friendly, yet professional. You never know who is looking. Last but not least never give up.”
Resolution 3: Quit Smoking
“Clinical research indicates the best method to quit smoking is going cold turkey. The findings suggest that it can be the most difficult but people who use this method often quit for good,” explained Ray Tainpeah CPN Licensed Alcohol and Drug counselor.
“Research also indicates that it takes an average of five to seven serious attempts before an individual is successful in quitting. Individuals with a sincere and earnest desire seem to put forth the greatest effort and can stop. Citizen Potawatomi Nation Health Services offers an eight week smoking cessation class using American Cancer Society’s Freedom from Smoking workbooks to help clinic patients stop smoking.”
Resolution 2: Lose Weight
“When trying to lose weight, the best thing to do is have portion control, eat in moderation and watch your calories,” said CPN’s Healthy Heart Coordinator and Dietitian, Torie Fuller MS RD/LD. “My recommendation to help you stick with losing weight is to make a lifestyle change and don’t call it a diet. A diet is something you do for only a short period of time and is not something you’re going to stick with. Try and make small lifestyle changes that build up to meet your goals that you want to achieve.”
Resolution 1: Learn the Potawatomi language
“The Potawatomi language was given to us by the Creator,” explained Language Director Justin Neely. “It holds our traditional Potawatomi ways together. We have our own dance, songs, stories, blood and ceremonies. However the language is the thread which ties it all together. If you want to learn the language you can come to the Cultural Heritage Center on Monday evenings beginning January 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., use some of our resources at www.potawatomi.org or try out our self-paced courses set to open summer 2015.”