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There's no easy way to change everything the moment the New Years Eve ball comes crashing down in Times Square. There is rarely a life altering light that shines down from the sky and snaps you out of years of debauchery and sloth-like behavior. If you do happen to see one, it's probably the surplus of cheap champagne.

It's a sad state of affairs when the idea of resolutions is practically a joke - that the media at large refers to such efforts as idealistic and perhaps "a nice idea", but something you won't necessarily honor past the first few weeks of the year, much less 12 months. It's a common sentiment that we laugh under our breath as we make these lists of things we'd like to improve on, sometimes admitting way before hand that it's hopeless.

"I'm going to lose weight, manage my finances, and be nicer to my sister-in-law!" Yet by February 1st, you're not financially recovered from Christmas, which stresses you out, so you cram another piece of pie into your mouth and think of excuses to avoid your sister-in-law until you're at least five pounds lighter. Why isn't it enough to want change?

The first step to keeping resolutions is to drop the cliche mindset. Don't make a list with the intention of being idealistic and vague. If you want to make resolutions that stick, be progressive and realistic. Change is most often effective when evolutionary, not revolutionary. Be prepared to work on your life in stages, and for resolutions to act as guidelines along the way.

You may choose, before you put pen to paper, to spend a day ruminating over the current state of your life. Who you've become vs. who you wish you were. Rather than frustrate yourself over the difference, try to calmly analyze yourself objectively. What concrete steps have you taken to get where you are (whether or not you planned them)? Identifying them will be helpful in setting up reversal strategy if necessary. Do this sans-distraction. No electronics or screaming kids in the vicinity.

Make a first draft list. Write down whatever comes to mind naturally, whether it's a steady flow of ideas that spans pages or a simple five item list. Don't be incredibly superfluous with your statements. If it isn't on the front burner right now, chances are it's not one of the imminent problems you're facing, and you can afford to deal with it later. Usually weight, money, relationships, and organization/time-management are the main concerns. If you're hung over on cheap champagne, "Stop drinking cheap champagne"

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