Every year around this time people all around the world begin thinking about what they'd like to change going into the new year. Maybe your New Years Resolution is to workout, or wake up earlier, or even something simple like drink more water; regardless of what it is the hardest part isn't thinking of the resolution but actually following through with it. I too am guilty of following through for at least the first two week into January, and then dropping it due to laziness and a lack of motivation. This year though I've come up with five things I plan on doing to ensure that I stay true to my goal for 2017.

1. Make It Possible

When thinking of your resolution make sure that it's something that you'll actually be able to accomplish. Something like "learn how to fly" obviously won't work. Make sure that you keep in mind the kind of person you are and work with that, don't make a resolution that you know you won't be able to keep. So something like "pay off all my student loans this year" when you're thousands of dollars in debt with a minimum wage job, isn't actually realistic. However, what you can say is "pay off a portion of my student loans" which allows you some wiggle room.

2. Make Sure There Is Someone To Hold You Accountable

Sometimes it can be hard for us to achieve our goals because we can lack motivation. It makes it a lot easier when we have a friend working at the same goal or even someone there just to remind us when we're falling off. These people are not going to hold your hand the entire way, though, you must carry most of the weight. Also, make sure that it is someone responsible who is known to keep their own goals because someone just as irresponsible as you will only lead both of you to be slackers together.

3. Stay Focused

If there is something or someone in the way of you achieving the goals you've set for yourself it is A-okay to let it or them go. You have something you're trying to accomplish and you must keep on the right track. Stay strong and if you must set a reminder on your phone for every day in the new year then that's just what you need to do! Keep your eye on the prize!

4. Take Steps If You Must

Personally, I work better by taking small steps. Some goals I set for myself are just too big for me to jump into, so I do little things that can ultimately lead me in the right direction. A good example is saying "I want to eat cleaner," for me that can be a big goal simply because I am in college and it's just so easy to go on campus and grab some Chick-Fil-A. Rather than cutting out all unhealthy foods altogether, the best thing for me to do would be for me to start off by giving myself at least two days out of the week where I can eat as unhealthy as I want. Two days will eventually turn into one, and think over time, I won't even need to give myself a day because I've become so use to eating healthy seven days a week.

5. Reward Yourself

The best way to ensure you'll reach your goals is to set rewards for yourself. Even if you've just taken a small step towards your ultimate goal it's nice for you to give yourself small rewards along the way just to motivate you to keep going. For me, I hate reading chapters for class, but I like to tell myself that if I finish reading one chapter I can watch two episodes of Friends or one episode of Grey's Anatomy, it really gets me excited to finish reading that chapter. Then next thing you know, I've finished the whole book!

Now I can't be positive these things will work for everyone, but I know when I have something I want to accomplish these are the steps that I usually tend to go by and they work. Ultimately though everyone is different, but if you stay true to who you are and remember what you want to achieve you will most definitely be able to do so.

Happy New Years, everyone!