Tips for sticking to your New Year’s resolutions

Danny Federico ECB Publishing, Inc. As the New Year approaches, many of us embark on a journey to better ourselves through resolutions. However, studies suggest that a significant number of resolutions fail within the first few months. Here are a few evidence-based strategies to help you not only set realistic resolutions, but also increase your chances of sticking to them throughout the year. Set SMART goals. Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-specific (SMART) goals enhances the likelihood of success. For instance, instead of a vague goal like "exercise more," be specific by saying, "I will exercise for 30 minutes, three times a week." Start small and build up