However, it should be noted that many do not stick to their resolutions. Why is that?

All too often it comes down to either an unrealistic resolution or insufficient planning to pull it off. It's easy to say you will do something; harder to actually do it.

Then comes the pressure. You feel bad because you aren't doing well enough or you're really having to work at your resolution. Your resolution just doesn't quite fit into your already established routines.

If you want to stick to it you're going to have to work at it. You're going to have to find a way to make your improvements. There has to be a practical way.

Making a New Year's Resolution work requires dedication. But if you really want it to work you have to forgive yourself your mistakes. Most people aren't perfect about adhering to their resolutions and it is failures like that which tend to make people give up.

Not sticking perfectly to a resolution isn't necessarily a failure. It's a lapse. It's not a failure until you give up. So why give up?

Using the ever popular "lose weight" resolution as an example, do you really think you've failed just because you go ahead and have a decadent dessert one night? Or those potato chips keep calling to you until you give in and eat them?

You don't have to treat yourself as though you can't stick to that diet just because you had a little something you shouldn't have. Rather, you should get right back on track as though nothing happened. That may be contrary to your usual diet habits, but it might just be an improvement.

If your resolution requires that you make major changes to your lifestyle, don't drive yourself crazy trying to do it all at once. Break things down into steps. You'll give yourself more time to adapt and actually succeed with your resolution.

The new year is a great time to make changes to your life but it's also a common time to start giving yourself a hard time for just being human. Make your resolutions sensible and practical for the way you live your life and cut back on the pressure.