New Year is a time when we make resolutions - when we resolve to lose that extra weight, spend more time with our family or learn that musical instrument. However as previous years would have shown, resolutions are more easily made than kept. Every year atleast 80 percent of people make New Year resolutions of some kind. Unfortunately, an overwhelming majority of these people forget about their resolutions within the first several days of the New Year.

For a lot of us New Year resolutions can be hard to keep or maintain and if you are one of them, this year you might think, "What is the point of making resolutions when I can't keep them anyway?" Don't be frustrated! A recent study showed that people who make resolutions are ten times more successful in changing their lives than those who don't. This means that if you really want to achieve something in your life, you ought to make resolutions!

So, how should you make resolutions and keep them? A resolution normally is nothing more than a goal spanning a year or so. While making resolutions you should use the same tactics as setting goals. Experts offer these tips to help you maintain your resolutions more effectively:

Avoid perfectionist thinking. While we certainly want to better ourselves, it is healthier to think in positive terms than it is to focus on how much we fall short of our aspirations. In other words, students should view the grade of an A as better than a B, rather than not as good as an A+.

View setbacks as lessons for growth. Mistakes can be and usually are opportunities for learning. Missing your workout and or getting angry with your child does not mean that you are incapable of following through with your resolutions. If you fall short of your goals, ask yourself what kept you from achieving them and then try to make corrections and move on.

Don't make absolute resolutions. Keep them realistic. For example, instead of saying you won't shout at your children anymore, resolve to shout at them less often.

Give them some meaning. People sometimes make resolutions that aren't necessarily meaningful to them. Your resolutions should be something you really desire to change or achieve, not something that society says is good for you to do or something your family members would like to see you do. If you don't have strong, internal motivation within yourself, you won't be successful in the long run.

Take baby steps. Set realistic goals that are attainable and then take small steps that are likely to be met with success toward those goals. Don't try to lose 10 kilos in a month. Instead, try joining a weight loss program and aim to lose a kilo a month.

Don't overload yourself. It's difficult enough for the average person to follow through on one ambitious New Year's resolution; so avoid having 10 or 15 resolutions at the same time. Choose the most pressing issue at hand - be it losing weight, studying further or improving your relationship with your parents - and concentrate on that. Trying to do everything simultaneously practically guarantees failure across the board!

Give it time. Most experts agree that it takes about 21 days to create a habit and six months for it to actually become a part of your daily life. Once this new behaviour has become habitual, it will be much easier to maintain; it is in the early stages that the most persistence is required.

Make contingency plans. Don't assume that sticking to your plan will be easy. You are likely to encounter problems along the way, so be prepared with specific ways to overcome them. For instance what might cause you to break your diet or skip your workout? Plan ways to avoid the pitfalls and perhaps take help from others on this.

Keep a journal. A journal helps you recognize your positive steps and makes it harder to go back to the same old habits.

Enlist additional help or support. Some people will find they just can't quit smoking on their own, or reduce their financial debt without additional help and support. Whether it's in the form of a professional, a family member, or a friend - consider enlisting someone's help. This shows that you are not only serious about keeping your resolution, but also that you realize your own strengths and limitations.

For instance, a friend can help you practice communication. A financial manager can help you develop a realistic plan to get out of debt. Family members, friends, or even a professional can help you plan a career change. Getting additional help or support in this manner is a sensible way to help increase your success in maintaining your New Year resolutions.

Reward yourself for each milestone. If you've stuck with your resolution for 2 months, treat yourself to something special. But be careful of your reward type. If you've lost 3 kilos, don't give yourself a piece of cake as an award. Instead, treat yourself to something non-food related, like a professional massage.

And remember...
Make some New Year's resolutions which will involve fun too! Spending time with friends, having a girls/boys only night out, doing puzzles with children are all things that could help you relax as well as improve relationships with others.

It may be true that on an average only about 20% of us keep our New Year's resolutions. But don't let the statistics get you down. By following these tips you'll be better equipped to fall into the successful 20% category!