As the new year starts, many of us have made resolutions - it is always easy to make New Year's promises.  I was talking with some friends last evening about resolutions.  Most of them said they don't make resolutions any more because they never kept them... 

This got me to thinking about why we don't keep those resolutions we make.  Many times, they are not serious for us.  But, sometimes we do want to keep a resolution, we just don't have a plan.  If you are serious about a resolution this year, you can be successful with a little work up front.  Just as with any goal, a New Year's Resolution isn't realized just because we wish for it!  The difficult part comes when we have to make changes to achieve what we have identified as a goal.  Keep in mind some basic things to be successful.  Make sure your resolution is realistic, develop some plans to incorporate changes in your life that will ensure you succeed.  If you plan to make a few small changes to achieve your goal, you will be more likely to follow through because you won't be overwhelmed by what seems to be unsurrmountable change.  You may want to share your plan with someone who can be a support to help you get there.  And be sure to celebrate your successes as you complete the smaller steps to your goal-this will help you continue to make those small steps and a year from now, when you look back on 2008 you will be able to say "I made it!"