5 Ways to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions

With good intentions, many of us come up with resolutions. These goals can have a major impact on our lives if only we could fulfill them. Here are five quick tips designed to put your on the road to success:

Take it step by step: Many marathon runners get through the race by taking it a few steps at a time. They see the long race as the repetition of those steps, again and again. Try to break down your goal into pieces. If you're trying to lose 20 pounds, then set a goal for the first four pounds. Psychologically, it's more like climbing a hill, rather than a mountain.

Have a carrot: Pick a special reward for when you achieve your objective. This should be something fun that you don't normally do. You could eat out at a special restaurant, go to a concert, or take a trip. The key is that you really want to do the activity but won't enjoy it until you've reached your goal. No cheating!

Have a buddy: See if one of your friends, who also has a goal, will agree to be your resolution partner. You both will need to keep in touch with each other, provide support, and make sure the other is making progress on his or her goal. This is better than telling everyone about your resolution. Sadly, some people like to see others fail at their dreams. They'll help undermine your success. Stick with one or two people who are motivated to change their lives. You'll create a much stronger support network this way.

Talk to yourself: You may not want to do this in public but it's a good habit to give yourself some daily feedback about your goal. Again, if you're trying to lose weight you might take a minute every day to talk about what you did that day. For instance: "Today I made smart choices about what I ate. I resisted the urge to eat foods that get me into trouble. Every day, I'm getting closer to my goal." Keep this affirmation as positive as possible. This is also an exercise that you can do with your resolution partner.

Think about the goal: Pick a time during the day (after waking up or before going to bed works well) and visualize that you've achieved your resolution. Imagine what that feels like. If you want to quit smoking, imagine being healthier and breathing much better. If you're trying to lose weight, think about your clothes fitting looser on your body or even shopping for new, thin, clothes. This habit helps program your mind, making your goal seem that much more real.