New Year’s Resolutions: 7 Surefire Ways to Keep Them

You made some resolutions. Now what? (Getty Images)
You made some resolutions. Now what? (Getty Images)

It's easy make New Year's resolutions and even easier to break them. According to a research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, nearly half of all Americans set goals for the following year, and only eight percent achieve them. However, there are many ways to up your odds of success.

Hang tough for 2 Months. It's commonly believed that it that it takes 21 days to form a habit, but there is no hard evidence to back up that number. Instead, researchers found that can take between 18 to 254 days make a new behavior become automatic. The average time, however, was 66 days. Counting from January 1, aim to consciously stick with a routine until at least March 7.

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Organize Yourself For Success. If didn't think about your resolutions until late on December 31st after quaffing a few glasses of champagne, chances are you didn't prepare in advance to implement them. A 2012 study found that people who stuck with their goals organized themselves to face fewer temptations on a daily basis. For example, before you embark on your diet, clear out the holiday leftovers, stock the kitchen with healthy food, and devise a reasonable eating plan.

Set Specific Goals. Aiming to put 50 dollars a week in your savings account or lose one pound a week is more effective than endeavoring to "save money" or "lose weight." Being focused on a specific aim helps you develop a clear road map.

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Make Your Goals Realistic. According to John Norcross, PhD, a professor of Psychology at the University of Scranton and behavior change expert, "Grandiose goals beget resignation and early failure." Instead of overreaching, revise your target upward as you make progress.

Use the Buddy System. Enlist friend or family member to support you. Being accountable and having someone encourage you can make all the difference to sticking with your plan when your personal willpower starts to flag-usually around the end of January, according to Norcross. If you can afford it, you can also outsource your support system and hire a personal trainer, nutritionist, or other expert to help you achieve your goals. There are also plenty cheap and free apps to keep you motivated.

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Go Public. Like the using the buddy system, making your goals public keeps you accountable. Whether it's quitting smoking or writing a poem a week, you can state your goals to friends or find a wider group though social media or Internet forums.

Related: Why You Should Tell Everyone You Are on a Diet

Track Your Progress Regularly. Research shows that people who weigh-in daily are more likely to lose weight and keep it off, and the same principle is true for the benefits of keeping track of other types of progress. In a column for the New York Times, John Tierney, co-author of Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength writes, "Self-monitoring is vital to any kind of resolution," and points out that tools such as FitBit wristbands or the personal finance tracker, Mint.com, make it easier than ever to do so.

And, if you fall off the wagon? Don't give up. Research has show that skipping a day of your desired behavior won't reduce your overall chances of achieving your goals. In fact, according to Norcross, about 70 percent of people who experience a slip up become more resolved to succeed.

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