Very often, you conceptualise what you want to change but you make a pact when you write them down. Be specific as to what you want to accomplish. Vague resolutions will not come true. Place them in a private place where you can read them everyday to internalise them, so it eventually becomes your experience. Resist the tendency to show your resolutions to too many people as some negative thoughts as in bad-mindedness could kill your goals. Before you write down your resolutions, do some soul-searching as to why you keep the same unwanted behaviour year after year.

You may come up with the same goals because you did not have much success during the year; you need to assess how well you did last year. Where there was not much progress, you need to change your strategies to achieve success.

There is much to be said for increasing emotional intelligence which accounts more for your success and happiness than IQ. Emotional intelligence defined by Wikipedia is the ability, capacity or skill to perceive, assess or manage the motions of one's self, of others or groups. Emotional intelligence accounts for promotions and general self-advancement. You may need to participate in programmes that will increase your EI.

Every quarter, reassess your goals to measure your success. There is nothing more frustrating than a goal you can never achieve. Depending on what is taking place in your life, you may have to assess your resolutions to match the reality of what is taking place in your life. Keep a journal to record moods, attitudes or events. This will help with your assessment - you may be motivated to continue or you may feel defeated in the process. If you feel over-whelmed in meeting your goals, you should seek help from a counsellor or other professional who can help you work through some of the issues.

An organised mind is one sure way of keeping your resolutions. If your goal is to lose weight, you have to plan ahead for getting healthy foods, if you are going out to dinner or hanging with friends. Diarise exercise times and meeting you financial obligations as essential activities.

Affirmations help to imprint in our minds the desired end results we want. Say them daily and write and place them in strategic positions around the home or office.

Learn new skills

It may be necessary to learn new skills to help you achieve your goals. Explore the opportunities and costs and start learning soon. Learn with a friend if you can as this will provide support.

Positive vibrations are helpful in making changes. Use your religion as a crutch to strengthen your faith and to give you the resolve you need to keep on keeping on!