Have you ever realized that most of us make New Year resolutions only to give up in a few months? A New Year's resolution is simply a promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good or stop doing something bad on the first day of the year. Whether it is a plan to lose weight, put your finances in order, live according to your values or spiritual convictions, spend more quality time with your family, or a resolution to laugh more often or enjoy life, research shows that 88% of those who set New Year resolutions fail within the first few months.

 The most common reason as to why most of us fail to stick to our New Year's resolutions is because we neglect to think through how we plan to achieve our goals. It has nothing to do with our willpower. The key is to start small and to have a plan and time-line for each goal. Surround yourself with people that will help you accomplish your goals and seek the help of a higher power. Look beyond "I can't" and start substituting this with "I can" and "I am". Face your fear of change which often stops us from achieving our goals. Remember, small bad habits will turn into big problems when not addressed and small positive changes turn into big successes. Nothing will change if plan and take no action. 

Talking with a counselor or someone that you trust about setting goals and New Year resolutions can make you accountable and help you keep those resolutions. Remember, the best goals in the world will do no good if you don't follow through with consistent actions. Your future depends on what you do today. Make it count!

By Damaris Karanja, MA, MEd, LPC, RDN, a licensed Mental Health Professional Counselor and Registered Dietitian at Healing Streams Counseling.