Five Steps for Success with Your New Year's Resolutions

With 2013 fast approaching, many of us will be resolving to make changes in our behavior, our lives, our careers, or even just our attitude. So many of us have the best of intentions on January 1st, but by the end of the month, we have fallen back into our old, comfortable ways.

In January of 2012, I wrote a series of posts about why resolutions fail. This year, I want to give you some action steps to help ensure the success of your goals for the New Year.

• Write your goals down. There is something more real and concrete when you put your goals on paper. It also gives you a place to return to when you go off course, or need to re-evaluate. 

• Be specific and clear in your resolution. Don't simply say, I want to lose weight or I want to save money. Put a measurement to your goal so that you will know when you have achieved your objective.

• Give yourself a deadline. One of the main differences between goals and dreams of "someday" is that goals have a timeline by which you want to accomplish them.

• Don't aim so high that your goals are unreachable. A goal should stretch you and test your ability. However, if your goal is to be a millionaire by 30 and you're 29 with two kids, making $45,000 a year with a $1500 a month mortgage and a car payment, chances are your goal is unrealistic. Evaluate whether or not your goal is attainable within your timeline and make adjustments as needed. 

• Have a detailed plan and stick to it. Remember, it is possible to eat an elephant, but you just need to take it one bite at a time! Once again, writing down a detailed plan will help you get back on track when you go off course.