As one year ends, another begins and everyone knows what that means... it's the time for some good ol' New Year resolutions. Except, everyone knows that New Year's resolutions are hardly followed through, in fact, only 8% of people actually follow through with their resolutions every year. So, what are you going to do about it? How are you going to be a parof that small percentile this year?

Here's 5 tips in how to actually achieve your New Year's Resolutions this year.

1. Realize this isn't just a resolution, it's a lifestyle change.

If you are the type of person who is even taking the time, to realize you need New Year's resolutions, then you obviously seek a lack or need for something in your life. Maybe that something is an increase or decrease in activity, wanting to stop a bad habit, or having the desire to start healthy habits. Whatever it is, you want to make a change in your life and that's what you need to remind yourself. This isn't just some dumb list, it's something that will help you be your best self this coming year and potentially for the rest of your life.

2. Be Practical.

Never underestimate your ability to achieve tasks, but the last thing you want is to overwhelm yourself. The more practical and applicable to life your goals are, the better you can feel that you can achieve it and actually achieve it. Sometimes if we make these elaborate goals, or don't have a practical plan we psych our selves out and quit altogether. Instead make a SMART goal: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely. Making a SMART goal will help you make a practical goal and a practical game plan to achieve that goal.

3. Write the Resolution and the WHY.

When writing my New Year's resolutions for the upcoming year, I did something different. Not only did I write my resolutions but I wrote down why I wanted to achieve each one. For example, in my own life, serving others is really important to me, but lately, I have felt a lack of ability to do that because of some recent health issues. In this coming year, one of my goals is to "Nourish my body with healthy foods and be intentional with rest so I may have the energy to serve." Writing down the why, reminds me why I even want this lifestyle change and gives me that little extra push.

4. Grace.

You are not perfect and I hate to break it to you, but you never will be. With that being said, don't expect yourself to be perfect when your not and that's including the way you achieve and follow through your goals. Let yourself have those occasional cheat days on your new diet or your an extra rest day from working out. It's okay, the whole point is that you are trying. Allowing yourself to have grace within means, will allow yourself not to be discouraged and quit when times get tough or your not at where you want to be. Perseverance, endurance, and grace will get you through the tough times, so you can get to the celebration time.

5. Accountability is Key.

When you have nothing keeping you accountable to your goals and resolutions, then you will be more willing to back out when things get hard. This is why accountability, in whatever form it may be in, is key. Maybe it's keeping a visual track record of your progress of achieving your goal that is on display for others to see or asking your friends or family members to encourage and ask you about your progress every so often. The point is, we all need accountability in our lives, it keeps us disciplined and on track for success.

Be the success story. Let this year be different from the past, and achieve your resolutions, and work towards being your best self this coming year.