Do you know anyone who’s actually kept a New Year’s resolution? All year? For realsies? If you do, ask them their secret. You might be surprised to find out it’s not a superhuman will or witchcraft, but good old-fashioned planning. Here are ten Leith Honda Raleigh tips to help you set resolutions you can actually achieve.

1. Don’t be a "Last-Minute Larry"

If you want to create a realistic, attainable New Year’s resolution, you need to forget the way you’ve always done it. That means no more spur-of-the-moment resolutions or ones made in the midst of a hangover haze on New Year’s Day. Set aside some time and really think about what you want to accomplish and why.

2. The one and only

Now that you’ve thought about what you really and truly want, narrow it down to one thing. A long laundry list of epic life-changing events is a recipe for failure. Pick just one thing. Love it; own it. It’s yours now. This is your lone resolution and you’re going to kick its butt.

3. Forget the big picture

Losing weight is a great goal, but it’s big, too big and too vague. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the enormity of the task ahead. We often feel defeated before we even really begin. Make your resolution as specific as possible. If you can, put a number to it and a timeline.

4. Break it down

Now that you’ve got your resolution honed down to one specific goal, dice it up into several smaller goals. If you’re goal is to run a marathon, start off by running three miles a day. Then five. Then 10. Keep things small. And, give yourself a chance to succeed by not reaching for the unreachable. If you’re trying to save money, don’t focus on saving a thousand dollars this year; focus on saving twenty dollars a week.

5. And the reward goes to…

Sometimes the end result seems so far away that it isn’t sufficient motivation to keep going. That’s okay. Give yourself a little extra incentive to achieve your goals by creating a reward system. When you achieve a milestone, give yourself a little something.

6. No secrets

Secret resolutions are easier to break. We tend to keep resolutions to ourselves so that when we blow it, no one else is witness to our epic failure. Don’t keep your resolutions a secret. Tell your friends and family. They might have been undermining your hard work without realizing it. Help them help you.

7. Accentuate the positive

Focus on the benefits of achieving your goal. If your goal is losing weight, remember that you’ll be healthier, more active, and able to finally wear those clothes you’ve been coveting. Don’t get caught up in the negative. Focus on all that you’ll gain from achieving your goal.

8. "Dear Diary"

Keep a diary. Track your progress. There’s nothing like seeing it in writing to help validate your sense of accomplishment.

9. Mistakes happen

If you fall off the wagon, get back on. Don’t let one setback kill your resolution. Just take a deep breath, put on your big girl panties (or boxer briefs), and get back on track.

10. Ready, steady, go…

Start right away. Let your resolve propel you into action. Don’t delay. The longer you wait, the harder it will be. Momentum is a wonderful thing. Don’t say, “I’ll start next week.” Start now. Resolutions aren’t just for New Year’s anymore. Whenever you’re ready for a change is a good time to make one.

A wise man once said, “Just do it.” Okay, it was a marketing exec from Nike, but the advice is still good. Take it one day at a time. Remind yourself why you’re doing it and then, just do it.