How to make a New Years Resolution you'll actually keep

It's officially that time of year again! Everybody's scrambling to come up with a handful of New Years resolutions to make it seem like we've got our lives together, but those very same resolutions will probably be forgotten within a few weeks (or a few days, even).

How fulfilling would it be to keep up a New Years resolution for a long time? It's totally possible, and it doesn't have to be as hard as you imagine it to be. It will require some will-power and self-discipline, but if you really want to actually stick with your resolutions with this year, here are four easy tips to get you there.

Make it manageable.

We're big fans of baby steps here at MW. Breaking your goal down into tiny, manageable steps makes it easier to complete and prevents burnout. For example, losing weight is an admirable resolution, but it's definitely a daunting task. Instead of just losing weight, make easily attainable goals. Swap your processed snacks for fruits and vegetables. Increase your activity level. Make one day a week at the gym be for weights, not just the treadmill. By making smaller goals that work for you, you'll be giving yourself more direction, making you less likely to give up.

Make it personal.

Don't just pick a resolution because everybody else is doing it: instead, do some self-reflecting and figure out what really gets you going. The more excited you are about your plans and goals, the more committed you'll be to sticking with it.

Make it known.

Tell your friends. Tell your pets. Write about it on your blog. Not only will you be spreading the info so that others can cheer you on, but it will also make you accountable for following through with your goals. How are you going to explain to your friends that you're not going to make more time to see them, or break it to your dog that you're not going to walk her as much as you promised? Not cool, friend. Not cool.

Make it worthwhile.

When you meet one of the manageable goals in your resolution, celebrate! Give yourself a small reward. Buy a new nail polish, a hat, or a phone case. Try to stay away from using food as a reward, though. You're not a dog, so you don't need food to reinforce good habits.

With these tips in mind, you'll be on your way to sticking with your New Years Resolution. 2015 is going to be a great year, guys! What are you going to do to make your resolutions stick this year?

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