Dr. Wendel Abel, Contributor

Fireworks explode over the Petronas Twin Towers during New Year's celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. - Reuters

This year, let us resolve to improve our lives. Be patient and gentle with yourself. Fighting negative patterns and habits takes time.

What are your resolutions for 2007?

Here are some tips to make good on your resolutions.

1. Make a plan today

Most persons do not have a plan for their life. Remember life is a journey. Develop a plan to serve as your road map.

If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!

2. Start low and go slow

Do not set goals higher than you can achieve. Be realistic. Your goals should be achievable in the time you seek to achieve them. The problem with most of us is that we think that in order to achieve our goals we must make extravagant plans. Are you planning to build or acquire your home this year? Do you plan to start a business?

Start planning today; start with what you have and allow your dreams to grow.

A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.

3. Don't bake in mistakes

Sometimes there will be challenges and setbacks. Remember it is OK to make mistakes even when they burn and hurt us. What is more important is that we learn from our mistakes and failures.

Strong people make as many mistakes as weak people. The difference is that strong people admit their mistakes, laugh at them, and learn from them. That is how they become strong. (Richard Needham)

4. Know your triggers

In changing behaviours, attitudes and negative thought patterns, try to identify triggers that set them in motions. These triggers may be people, places or things. Write down your triggers. Develop a plan to avoid them or to cope with them.

Some people are like termites, they destroy everything with their negative thoughts and chatter. This year, if you are going to build your life, avoid going where termites are!

5. Seek help

Have you been struggling with a negative habit or thought? Do you have personal demons which are keeping you back? In order to win the struggle, you may have to seek professional help. To deal with an addiction, you may need to enter a special programme. To deal with your spending, you may need to get professional advice. To change your lifestyle, you may need to engage the services of a personal coach. To keep focused on your exercise programme, you may need a personal trainer. To make the changes in your life, you may need to attend motivational seminars. Clearly, you will have to pay for these services but consider it a personal investment in yourself. It will be worth it!

6. Stop negative thinking

What stands between most of us and success are the negative thoughts we harbour. Negative thoughts are toxic and they poison the soul. They paralyse us mentally and psychologically and prevent us from achieving our goals.

"Just can't live that negative way... Make way for the positive day!" - Bob Marley.

Happy 2007. One love!

Dr. Wendel Abel is a lecturer and consultant psychiatrist at the University of the West Indies. He is also a transformational life coach.

Here are some popular resolutions

Check the box below to indicate the things you want to work on in 2007.

[ ] Pay off debt

[ ] Battle the bulge

[ ] Save money

[ ] Eat right

[ ] Quit drinking

[ ] Stop smoking

[ ] Enjoy life more

[ ] Help others

[ ] Spend more time with family

[ ] Improve relationships

[ ] Improve education

[ ] Make more money

[ ] ..............................