The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

AS cliché as it may sound, the start of a new year is also the start of a new journey for many people.

Some feel this is the time to put more emphasis on living healthy, to change bad habits, and in general to set goals to improve themselves. It is an age-old tradition. And one that many local female entrepreneurs take very seriously. Speaking with Tribune Woman, they shared their thoughts on New Year’s resolutions.

Tené L Thompson, owner of and therapist at the Health By Touch practice located in Sandyport, said her main goal for 2020 is to have more quality time with her family and to grow and expand her business.

“These goals are life-long as there is always room for improvement. The more I improve, the happier I’ll become. It is important to follow through with any resolution or goal you have; be intentional, flexible and persistent. Ultimately though, God comes first,” said Tené.

When asked what advice she would like to give people in this new year, Tené said: “Always pursue the heart of God, expect the unexpected, continue to be innovative, and seek ways of enhancement.”

Scieska Adderley, founder of the local Giveback Girl organisation, believes New Year’s resolutions are essential, but often ineffective, because in most cases, people set themselves too many, which makes it almost impossible to see them all the way through.

“Perhaps it might be best for you to set a vision for yourself for the year first and then ensure that your resolutions align with that vision. That might make it easier for you to achieve these resolutions, making them more purposeful and meaningful. Think seriously to yourself, is this something that I can achieve by year’s end or is it ongoing? If It’s a continuing process, then don’t overwhelm yourself and choose which part of the process you would like to achieve by year’s end. The idea of resolutions is for you to progress,” she said.

While she does have a few personal New Years’ resolutions, Scieska said her approach to achieving them will be different in 2020.

“I will set monthly goals, and do a pulse check in June to see where I am at and if I need to make any adjustments. I refuse to write a long, overwhelming list, but instead (I will) be intentional about the 12 months ahead,” she said.

When asked what steps she finds helpful in following through with her resolutions, Scieska said writing down or posting your goals in a place or website that you frequent means you can’t avoid seeing them and being confronted with them. She believes writing down is a vital act of intention.

“Set yourself little reminders on your computer or phone to ensure that you keep on track. Enlist an accountability partner, someone you trust who checks in with you from time to time to see where you are at with those resolutions,” she said.

One achievement which would make her very happy this year is the further development and growth of Giveback Girl into a full-fledged non-profit organisation.

“It means that I, along with my team members, could help more people and increase our efforts to more than once a year. Ideally, I would like for it to be registered here in The Bahamas and the United States, but my primary focus is being recognised here at home,” she said.

Meanwhile, Simmone L Bowe, a transition strategist, author and motivational speaker, believes people should not wait until January 1 to make changes or pursue goals. She’s of the belief that if a change needs to be made, do not wait.

“I honestly don’t think New Year’s resolutions are very effective because they don’t stick with people throughout the course of the year. In fact, studies show that resolutions fall by the wayside by mid-February and become a source of guilt by December because they haven’t been achieved. I believe people should craft a compelling life vision and set achievable short and long-term goals that are clearly defined and measurable,” said Simmone.

Taking a realistic approach, she said people should first envision what they hope to achieve in the coming months and years – even if it is just three major goals such as creating healthier habits, saving an extra $2,000, spending more time on self or with family, or completing a professional certification.

“Make them bite-sized. Huge goals can be overwhelming and we drop them because they feel unattainable. When you accomplish a goal it releases happy hormones that give you a rush and motivate you to do more,” she said.

Simmone summed up her personal target goals for 2020 with two words: completion and amplification. She is now looking forward to several writing and media projects, other programmes, events, and the launch of her brand, Limitless Life.