by Emilie West

Created on: November 19, 2009   Last Updated: November 20, 2009

At the end of every year, we can't help but reflect on what has passed in this one. We like to sum up the good things that happened, but most importantly, we list all the things that went wrong. We could blame these bad things on external factors, which we usually do. But at said ending of the year, we usually approach things differently. We look at what we did wrong and think about how we can improve ourselves. We make promises to keep in the new year, to make that year an even better one. Me makes an individual commitment to the reforming of old habits and the improving of old lifestyles. A new year, a fresh start.

Would we all gather a year later and ask ourselves if we kept these resolutions, 8 out of 10 will shamefully have to bow their heads and shake them, because more than 80 percent of people making New Year's resolutions, isn't able to keep them. The great goals we set for ourselves, like losing weight, saving money, or to quit smoking, have not been achieved. And rather about what we did wrong, we should wonder what we can do better to keep them next time.

1. Keep it practical.
Depending on the quality of the previous year, some people tend to have big plans for the future. It's great to be ambitious, but on a one-year base, resolutions should be achievable. So don't set goals that are too outrageous, but keep it within the possible.

2. Leave luck out of the equation.
If you want to keep your resolution, you need to keep matters in your own hands. You can't control your luck. For example, if you want to make more money in the new year, don't expect to win the lottery, but make plans to work harder or get a better job.

3. Keep them in sight.
Rather than gathering all those great ideas in your head, write them out largely and post them on the wall or the fridge or at least somewhere visible. Make sure you're confronted with your resolutions daily, so every time you even consider breaking a promise, you'll be reminded not to.

4. Be positive.
When formulating your resolutions, make sure you give them a positive sound. Use it as your motto and motivator.

5. Inform other people.
Even though you can't rely on other people to realize your resolutions, you can have them help you out. It's the same as going to the gym; it's way easier to keep going if you have someone to go with. Help each other keep your promises and if you have the same ones, conquer them together.

6. Don't be too precise.
You could determine the exact amount of weight you want to lose or the precise grades you want to get, but that will make the resolution more difficult to keep. Of course you should decide on how much you want to improve yourself, but if you leave it open for variable changes in your circumstances. Throw the ball as far as you can, rather than throwing it an exact amount of feet.

In the end, the real key to keeping New Year's resolutions is will-power. If you really want something, you can achieve it. So this year, when you're reflecting and deciding on what to do, make sure you, above all, focus on making it a good, enjoyable year with lots of prosperity and great times.

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