For many, the ringing in of the New Year means creating a list of the things we will do better, do faster, or do more of - otherwise known as our New Year Resolutions. Our resolutions often add to our already busy lives while doing little to create a state of order or improve our well being. The end result is a frustration with our inability to follow through or accomplish our stated goals.

Finding a new way to approach New Year Resolutions is the key to mastering our goals. The use of a dream board is a fun activity that nourishes the soul. It is great to do before you start to write down your goals. Take time to find words and pictures that represent you and your goals. They can be personal photos or cut from a magazine. Before mounting these to a poster board play around with the images so that it feels right to you. Mount this dream board so that you can see it on a daily basis.

Take a moment to reflect on the past year by taking a Personal Growth Inventory. Acknowledge the things you have done well or your accomplishments, write them down. Identify those things you could have done better. Are you honoring your values as you evaluate your accomplishments and what you could have done better? Failure to keep in mind your values when determining goals will lead to disatisfaction even when goals are accomplished. If your list of "could have done better" is longer than your list of accomplishments, then you are beating yourself up! Just like with children - 10 compliments to every 1 criticism. Be kind to yourself.

Goals are a road map to our future, coloring the decisions we make daily. Choose areas to set goals in. These can include career, family, health, education, self , spiritual. You determine what works best for you. Prioritize these goals, stating them in present tense. Once you have determine your goals, identify 5 to 7 things you can do on a daily or weekly basis to achieve each goal. By achieving small goals on a regular basis, you will feel a greater sense of progress and accomplishment.

If your goal is to lose weight, the 5 to 7 tasks may include the following:

1) eat more fruits and vegetables

2) drink more water

3) say no to sweets 5 times a week

4) exercise 20 to 60 minutes a day

5) eat a good breakfast

6) do not skip meals

7) lift weights 3 times a week

If your goal is a family vacation the tasks may include:

1) determine where you want to go and post a visual

2) establish a vacation fund where contributions come from the following tasks

3) put spare change in a jar

4) eat out 2 times a week instead of 3 times a week, put the average savings into the vacation jar

5) use coupons and put the savings into the jar

6) encourage and support family members as they find ways to contribute

Assess your progress on a weekly basis. If you were able to complete one of these daily tasks, then you are on a steady track to your goal. As habits grow and accomplishing small goals becomes easier, you can change the tasks or increase how many items you do daily.

Find support. Buddy up with a friend. This can be a great way to have some fun and get moral support through the difficult times.

A notebook or journal is a useful tool to monitor your progress, making it easier to determine changes that need to happen next week or in the following weeks. Did you know that the chances of achieving your goals is 60% to 80% greater if you write them down? The chance of achieving goals that are not committed to paper falls to 3% to 6%.