Did you make some New Year’s Resolutions? Many, if not most, people do take a few moments to reflect on the previous year and how they want the upcoming one to be different. But change, though relatively simple, is rarely easy. The average resolution lasts just six days before it’s completely abandoned, only to be remembered sometime in late January. By that time, we just say, “Oh, forget it” and chances are better than even that you’ve already given up on at least one of your New Year’s resolutions.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Take a look at the Top 10 New Years Resolutions:

1. Spend more time with friends ^[2] and family
2. Get in better shape
3. Lose weight
4. Quit smoking
5. Enjoy life more
6. Quit drinking
7. Get out of debt
8. Learn something new
9. Help others
10. Get organized

Every one of those “resolutions” are huge, vague aspirations that fall more into the “it would be nice if …” category rather than the “here is my specific plan to accomplish X” category.

But even grandiose plans are no good. You can create a huge spreadsheet detailing your exercise plans, or your dieting plans, or your get out o debt plans, or whatever, but when 5AM rolls around and it’s time to get out of bed and begin that 2 mile walk … things change. The blankets are so warm and the air outside is so cold!