Jan. 1 is a breath of fresh air. We get a fresh start and a chance to begin a new year. The idea of setting a New Year’s Resolution can be daunting and sometimes comical, especially if you have a low success rate of actually “following through” with your goals, but resolutions can be a very beneficial and life changing thing.

About 50 percent of Americans make New Year’s Eve resolutions, but only 15 percent manage to keep them, according to www.realscienceofsuccess.com. Why is that? Perhaps we tend to bite off more than we can chew and then not take steps towards achieving those goals. Some of us set too many. Some of us set only one that is impossible to achieve.

I find one helpful way to keep your resolutions is to organize them into categories. It’s very helpful to organize your New Year’s resolutions. It was William Faulkner who said this about achieving goals: “The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” Here are some ideas to help you get started moving those stones!

Professional Goal
Whether it’s to get a big promotion, win that sales trip to Paris, take a business course, or simply keep your desk clean, professional goals can give us that extra spring in our step at work. Work goals energize us and the boss might notice and reward you accordingly.

Relationship Goal
Who are the people in your life that you cherish? What friendships do you want to work on? What business contacts do you want to cultivate? This one can also be broken down into categories. Try to plan and adhere to a weekly “date night” with your spouse, visit Mom and Dad more, or find an “accountability partner,” someone to meet once a week for coffee and discuss personal issues. Renew an old friendship. Vow to be more authentic and real in your current friendships. "True friendship is like sound health, the value of it is seldom known until it is lost." - Charles Caleb Colton

Health/Wellness Goal
This one can literally save your life. Sign up for that kick–boxing class. Join the local basketball league. Train for a half–marathon. Join a gym or try walking the neighborhood a few nights a week. Drink more water. These goals are great for both your heart and your soul. Plus, you’ll meet new friends working towards the same goals in a lot of these activities. Flex Studio fitness and dance instructor Davida Lahood says, “Enjoy, respect and celebrate your body.”

Financial Goal
Zig Ziglar shared, “There is not a lot you can do about the national economy, but plenty you can do about your personal economy.” Set a budget and live by it. Pay off your credit cards. Put away money for a rainy day – for your children’s college education, and for your future.

Spiritual Goal
This one may be the most important. Join a Bible-based church. Find a Bible study and meet new friends. Pick up a good book about religion. Reflect on the meaning of life and why you wake up each morning. "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

Long–term Goal
Buy a house. Own your own company. Get a master’s or Ph.D. Invest in a new venture. These long–term goals can be refined every year, and slowly worked towards. Setting a timeframe, like 10 or 20 years, can help with these goals. Dream big!

Fun Goal
Plan for that trip to Australia. Save money to go see the Grand Canyon. Buy a motorcycle, or go to golf school. Reward yourself for a job well done this year.

Game Plan
Now you have your goals, here is an idea to keep them in the front of your mind. Write them down. Keep a journal and list each goal. Then, periodically check in with your goals. My friends and I try and check in with each other on July 1, six months into the year, and ask ourselves: How are we doing? Make an appointment with yourself on July 1 for your “half–year” resolution check–up. Then, make adjustments accordingly and keep going. You still have six months!