5 Ways to Keep New Years Resolutions

With 2013 ever so slightly behind us, the new year calls for a new you. This is a great opportunity to re-imagine all those goals you didn't make it to in 2013. The trouble comes when we start to push ourselves to keep unrealistic goals, so let's talk about how you can be success in 2014. Here are 5 ways to help you keep your New Years Resolutions!Choose a goal that you really want - No-brainer, right? You would be surprised if I told you knew how many resolutions people make that have nothing to do with what they really want. A lot of the problem is that we get caught up in in things we believe we “should” want, or what other people tell us to want. Keep in mind that resolutions have to fit into your personal values."Put some thought into it," says Richard O'Connor, author of "Happy at Last: The Thinking Person's Guide to Finding Joy." Avoid knee-jerk New Year's resolutions, he says. "I encourage people not to make cheap resolutions, but to save it for something meaningful."Too many resolutions can mean a whole lot of trouble - “It’s probably best to make two or three resolutions that you intend to keep,” says O’Connor. That way, you’re focusing your efforts on the goals you truly want.Pin down what you really want. In other words be specific - "To be effective, resolutions and goals need to be pretty specific," says O'Connor. Get rid of the amorphous "exercise more," in favor of "I'm working out at the gym Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5:30 pm."Create a plan and write it down - Rather than committing yourself to one larger than life goal, break it down into a series of smaller more manageable steps.It is one thing to think through your resolutions, it's a whole other story when you write them down. The act of writing down your goals means your obligated-it's an act that gears your mind to being focused on what you've put pen to paper."Have an action plan," O'Connor says. "Figure out exactly what you want to do."Forgiveness is key - Everyone makes mistakes, so if you find that you fall off the wagon, don't be afraid to get back on. Many people fall prey to the belief that if they fall down they should give up. "slipping is part of the process," O'Connor says. The truth of the matter is that our stumbles can lead us to new found truths. Failing is not the problem, it's what you do after you fail that will decide if you will be a success. Three words to keep you on track: Forgive, let go, and continue to move forward.