Piedmont Therapist shares simple tips for New Year’s resolutions

Tracy Gift sat down with 41NBC to share tips on how to stay consistent with New Year's resolutions.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- As the new year begins, many people are setting resolutions — but sticking to them can be a challenge. A Piedmont rehabilitation therapist says the key is turning resolutions into realistic, meaningful goals.

Tracy Gift, a recreational rehabilitation therapist, sat down with 41NBC to share tips on how to stay consistent and motivated throughout the year.

Gift says a New Year’s resolution should be viewed as a goal rather than a rigid promise. She explains that goals help give people direction, purpose, and motivation — and that they’re something only the individual can define and achieve.

“Goals help us get things done,” Gift said. “They give us purpose and direction.”

To help people stay on track, Gift recommends using the SMART goal method. The acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based — a structure designed to make goals more manageable and realistic.

She also encourages people to avoid common roadblocks by creating routines and staying consistent. Writing goals down and tracking progress can help reinforce commitment, while identifying the deeper “why” behind a goal can provide motivation when momentum slows.

“Finding your purpose and understanding why you set that goal makes it much easier to stay focused,” Gift said.

 Taking small, intentional steps can make a big difference — and turning resolutions into habits can help set the tone for success throughout the year.