How to KEEP Your New Year's Resolutions in 2007!

So you want to keep your New Year's resolutions in 2007? Of course you do! No one makes a resolution that they don't want, even intend, to keep. But we all know that goals as lofty as New Year's resolutions often are, can be "easier said than done." So what are some ways to keep the resolutions you make for this coming New Year?

1. Put some serious thought into it. For starters, when it's time to make your list of resolutions, don't just sit down and scratch out whatever comes to your head. Instead, set aside a good block of time to think, meditate, pray and plan. Give yourself some time, space and comfort in which to come up with the resolutions that really matter for the coming year. Light some candles, turn off your phone, make a cup of tea, or do whatever it takes to get your mind to relax. Then once you have had some time to settle your mind down, thoughtfully journal about different ideas that might make meaningful, significant resolutions for the new year.

2. Limit your options. Once you've sat down to think, it's possible that a thousand--or at least twenty--different ideas have popped into your head. This year you want to exercise every day, do something sweet for your wife or husband, spend time with the kids every evening, make healthy meals, make time for yourself...hold it! That's way too much! Of course there are always innumerable things in life that each of us can improve in, and would like to. There's nothing wrong with being ambitious, but at the same time, be reasonable. Limit your New Year's resolutions to a reasonable number--say three or four items--that you can really tackle and end up keeping! You'll be much more optimistic, and able to keep them, than if you had a list of twenty or thirty challenging resolutions that you were trying to keep!

3. Map out a plan. So you've got your "big three" resolutions. But how are you going to actually keep them? Practically speaking, how is the rubber going to meet the road. You want to do something to show your spouse you love him or her, on a weekly basis. Well, what is it going to be? Whatever your goal is, from losing weight to learning karate, you have to make a very specific game plan if you want to actually accomplish anything.

Maybe your resolution for the new year is to learn to play the flute. But you don't have a flute yet. So if you actually want to accomplish your goal, go buy a flute! And while you're at it, buy music and a music stand. And set aside some time every day to practice flute, and decide where you will practice. And sign up for weekly flute lessons! If you purposefully set the particulars in place, you are far more likely to succeed in achieving your New Year's resolution!

4. Get a partner. When it comes to New Year's resolutions, there's no reason to go it alone. If you want to actually succeed in keeping your resolutions for 2007, scrap the glamor of being the solo victor or accomplisher, and ask someone else to join you. Not only will your chances of succeeding increase drastically, but you'll have way more fun if you bring someone else along!

Take exercising for example. How fun is it to get up early in the morning and go for a brisk walk just before dawn, all by yourself? Not too fun, and not so safe either. But if you bring a friend along, the time will fly, you will have someone to comment to about the beautiful sunrise, you can challenge each other and hold one another accountable...and you might even gain a new best friend!

5. Reward yourself. You hear this, of course, everywhere! But the reason is because it works. Humans thrive on rewards. We work for pay. We exercise for the benefits we will receive. We labor for recognition, glory and fame. Many of the rewards are found in the keeping of the resolutions we make, in the accomplishment of the goal for its own sake! But beyond that, it's okay and helpful to reward yourself with extra incentives. For example, give yourself a visit to the spa after you have lost ten pounds.

If you take time to consider what New Year's resolutions matter most to you, if you limit your options, and then hone in on the ones that really matter with a good game plan, and especially if you get someone to do it with you and promise to reward yourself...you are sure to keep the New Year's resolutions that you make in 2007!