I hope you had a Merry Christmas and soon to be Happy New Year! It's always a sad day when the anticipation of Christmas has arrived and all too quickly disappeared...literally here today and gone tomorrow. But the excitement of a new year and fresh start around the corner definitely helps cushion the blow. There's something about the clock striking midnight on December 31 that brings about a sense of hope and promise. And what's the end of another year without making some resolutions for the next? While I certainly don't have any revolutionary insight to New Year's Resolutions, I do have just a few things to keep in mind.

1. You can set goals any other day of the year too.

Resolutions aren't just for New Year's! While it's an ideal time to reflect on and evaluate the past year, set goals whenever you think of them. This might be pretty obvious, but I think we sometimes forget that we aren't limited to one specific time of the year to make a change or take on a challenge.

2. Don't set yourself up to fail.

Whether your goal is to hit the gym or becoming a morning person (which is a never-ending goal of mine), be realistic about whatever goal you've set. It's easy to be motivated right off the bat, but it's also easy to quickly wear yourself out, become discourage and disappointed, and lose steam. But this doesn't have to happen! Be honest about what you know you can handle, but don't be afraid to push yourself too. Ultimately, give yourself a challenge and also give yourself grace.

3. If you do fail, fail forward.

Playing off the previous point, if you do fall off the wagon (or horse?), get right back up. Don't allow one moment of laziness or discouragement result in giving up altogether on your goal. Adjust your expectations and even your resolutions and keep going!

Happy New Year and go get those goals!