The beginning of 2015, the year you decide to make a firm decision to do or not do something. You are resolute. This year will be different. Or are you like Tammy Olsen, who says she stopped making New Year’s resolution because “I don’t keep them,” except to vow every January “to live a great life of fulfillment.”
Olsen is not alone. About 64% of people who make New Year’s Resolutions break them before January ends; only 46% succeed past the 6-month mark.
2014’s top ten New Year’s Resolutions were:

1. Lose Weight
2. Get Organized
3. Spend Less, Save More
4. Enjoy Life to the Fullest
5. Stay Fit and Healthy
6. Learn Something Exciting
7. Quit Smoking
8. Help Others in Their Dreams
9. Fall in Love
10. Spend More Time with Family

Rose Iverson prefers to “reassess myself frequently and re-set goals,” rather than declare general or enormous resolutions. Experts say to be successful, get smart with resolutions.
It’s great to live healthier, lose weight, read more, get organized, quit smoking, or fall in love. The problem comes with the execution. These are positive life-style changes that require smaller steps toward success.
1. Be Specific. For example, rather than “live healthier,” a good resolution might be to walk five days a week. Rather than “be more organized,” resolve to sort mail as soon as it’s brought in the house.
2. Start small. Some resolutions can be overwhelmingly huge. Lose 30 pounds, quit smoking and exercise every day are all big commitments. Pick one or two attainable goals to focus on. Eating one or two servings from the fruits and vegetable group is a step toward improved health. It just may result in a reasonable weight loss.
3. Be Accountable. Find someone with similar goals. Join a group, post it on social media, or jot it in a journal and report periodically on your progress. Barb Gomez committed to The Hancock Climb. Each year a group supports each other with the goal of climbing the 3331 stairs.
4. Make a long term plan. One couple reassessed their 5 year plan New Year’s Day over breakfast: a) find a job for their disabled daughter; b) live in a small house on a large lot; c) visit 7 continents; d) work from home; e) become a published author. It took more than five years, but this year, the couple needs a new plan. All that remains to accomplish is two continents.
5. Make resolutions attainable. Many people fail simply because they try to accomplish too much too fast. Or they end the year feeling over-extended and exhausted by their efforts. Michele Novoselac jots down specific things all year long that she’d like to change in the new year. This year, she plans to “spend 30 minutes completely alone in peace and quiet every day to give time to gather my thoughts and be in tune with what I must do, rather than what I feels I should do.”