How To Make Your New Year's Resolutions Come True

The New Year is the time for big dreams, hopes and promises. Then's when most people decide to do something radical, like lose weight, quit smoking or make a million bucks. Of course, by February they lose their steam and put off their goals... until they make the same resolutions when the next New Year rolls around.

How do you break the vicious cycle of empty promises? Here are the top tips on how to make your New Year's resolutions actually come true:

1. Select ONE Most Important Goal

If you try to make too many major changes at once, chances are you won't stick with any of them. Don't spread yourself too thin. It's better to have one major accomplishment then 10 abandonded resolutions.

Pick one most important aspect of your life that you want to improve. Forget about your other resolutions for a while, and focus solely on the most important one. When this resolution comes true, pick another one to pursue.

If you get even one New Year's resolution accomplished, you'll still be way ahead of most people who make the same resolutions year after year and never get them done.

2. Set realistic goals

You need to feel in your heart that your goal is doable. If your goal is "way out there", it's hard to take it seriously.

If the most weight you could ever lose before was 10 lbs, a goal of losing 80 lbs this year is a bit unrealistic. How about making it 20 lbs? Even if you need to lose more weight, 20 lbs will still be an excellent start.

Achieving your smaller goal will let you "taste success" and gain more confidence. And once you have the confidence, achieving your other goals will be a piece of cake!

3. Create a plan on how you will get to your goal

An idea without a plan is just a dream. If you want to get from point A (where you are now) to point B (where you want to be), you need to know how to get there.

Let's say if your goal is to lose weight, you need to pick the weight loss plan that's right for you and stick with it. This involves evaluating different diet or exercise programs, finding the one that fits you best and doing the things that are outlined in that program.

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4. Set a timeline

When you create a plan on how to get to your goal, create a timeline for each part of the plan.

In the weight loss example, decide how fast you want to lose 20 lbs. Then create a timeline: if you want to do it in 2 months, that's 10 lbs per month, which is 2.5 lbs per week. As the time goes on, you will be able to evaluate your progress and see if you are still on track.

5. Schedule the action steps

Find the time to do all the things that will make your resolution come true. Put those things down on your schedule for specific times.

For example, if your weight loss program involves exercising, plan out your week so you have specific days and times for your workout. If you know that your workout is planned on Saturday from 10:00am to 11:00am, you are less likely to skip it then if you planned to do it "when you find the time".

6. Do It

Once you know what you want and have a plan in place on how to get there, all you need to do is follow it. Take action, and make this New Year YOUR year!

About The Author:

Melanie Mendelson is an Internet success story. She has quit her job in 2002 and started her online business that now makes 6 figures. Get a free copy of her Internet Business Blueprint at her website here.