The holiday season has ended, and for many that means making New Year’s resolutions. Some of those might include losing weight, saving money or starting a new job. The Hownikan spoke with Sarah Lawerance of the FireLake Wellness Center, Tina Pollard a consumer lending manager at the Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation and Human Resources Manager Hollie Garcia for tips on how to achieve these goals.

Hitting the gym

“If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight, I would recommend beginning to exercise. Start with two to three times a week and then in a few months you can increase to three to four times a week. Have long term and short term goals. A short term goal could be to walk a mile by the end of the month and a long term goal could be to walk a 5k in three months,” said Lawerance.

“Another suggestion would be to have an accountability partner. This will help keep you on track. Using an activity tracker is a great idea. You could compete against your friends or just compete against your numbers from the day before.”

Learn more about the healthy living and fitness options available at the FireLake Wellness Center at 405-395-9304 and cpn.news/wellness.

Improving finances

“Some tips I would recommend for saving money is to set clear goals, spend less than you make and owe less than you can afford. You do this by saving for a rainy day and reducing your debt with the snowball method. You should also examine your insurance and taxes regularly or even open an inconvenient savings account and pay yourself,” Pollard said.

“I love helping people with their finances. We currently have three certified credit counselors in our office that are here to help whether you need to develop a budget or learn to pay off debt more quickly. Confidential budgeting or debt counseling can ensure that you are on track for a bright financial future.

“Also, CPN Tribal members, employees and their families are eligible for free credit counseling and budget help.”

Take advantage of the free credit counseling and budget help at the CPN Community Development Corporation at 405-878-4697 and cpcdc.org.

Starting a new job

“If you are beginning a new job, workplace etiquette is an important contributing factor to a productive, efficient and welcoming environment. Learning about and practicing workplace manners puts you in a better position to increase your productivity and job satisfaction,” Garcia said.

Here are a few of her guidelines to follow in the workplace:

  • Treat your colleagues with respect and dignity.
  • Common courtesy – being attentive in a meeting, putting your phone on silent during a meeting.
  • Acknowledge and appreciate a colleague’s work.
  • Say “please”, “thank you” and “you’re welcome” as part of your everyday courtesy.
  • Don’t gossip about any co-worker’s private life.
  • Take responsibility for your mistakes, apologize and go about correcting the mistakes.
  • Never blame someone else if it is your mistake.
  • Make new employees feel welcome.
  • Do not interrupt when someone else is speaking.
  • Treat others as you want to be treated.

Learn more about employment opportunities with the Tribe at firelakejobs.com.