Ultimate 5-Step Plan for Keeping Your New Year's Resolution

New Year's resolutions are made with good intentions, but often good resolutions are broken by the end of the January. These five steps will help you break the cycle of broken resolutions and help you create real life change in your life.

1. Put your resolution into the right words. Don't say your resolution is to "lose weight," "get in shape," or "be more organized." Instead, reword your resolution so that it is a very specific action. For example, "I will join Weight Watchers until I lose 10 pounds and keep it off for a month," or "I will go to the gym every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday," or "I will take ten minutes at the end of the work day to clean the clutter off of my desk and to get ready for my first task Monday morning."

2. Keep track of your progress. Either purchase a calendar or print one up on your computer and write out your resolution at the top of the month. Post your calendar somewhere that you see it every day and keep a marker or a highlighter nearby. Promise yourself that you will not go to bed at night until you put a big X over the day, signifying that you have completed your resolution. Eventually, the continuous row of Xs will be enough motivation to continue. Who wants to break a good pattern.

3. Have a backup plan Set aside Saturday morning to go to the gym if you miss one day during the week. Plan a couple extra cardio sessions if you miss a Weight Watchers meeting. Set your alarm 20 minutes early if you forget to organize your desk before you leave.

4. Change your thinking If you miss a week at the gym, gain two pounds, or let the papers pile up six inches high on your desk, don't assume that you have failed and there's no point starting again. Instead of saying you broke your resolution, say that you took a break from your resolution and pick up where you left off. If you only went a week to the gym before you missed a few days try and make it two weeks, or longer.

5. Build a support system. Either enlist a buddy with a similar goal to work with you. Whether it is someone to go to the gym or Weight Watchers meetings with you or a friend you agree to keep posted about your progress. You can also set an alarm on your cell phone, MP3 player, or other electronic device to remind you that it's time to accomplish your goal for the day.