It’s a new year and a new decade, and if you’re like many of us, you made some resolutions to start things off. Unfortunately, almost half of those resolutions will be kicked to the curb before January ends. With such a grim statistic, how do you make a resolution and actually keep it long enough for it to matter?

It is important, first of all, to recognize the difference between a resolution and a wish. A wish is passive and hopes that whatever you desire will somehow miraculously happen.

• You want to lose 10 pounds, but you don’t want

to change anything that you are doing.

• You want to be financially free but you don’t

want to change your work habits.

• The definition of insanity is to keep doing the

same thing that you have always done and expect

different results.

A resolution is an active plan for change.

You can increase your chance of success by aiming for something specific in your resolution. The more specific you are, the greater your likelihood for success. You also want to be realistic. Extreme makeovers are fun to watch on TV, but they are not very realistic in real life. Identify the behavior that you plan to change.

• I resolve to lose 10 pounds by switching from

whole milk to skim.

• I resolve to earn $1,000 per month by

committing 2 hours daily to my business.

By identifying a specific behavior, you can keep track of what you’re doing. It takes about a month to convert a behavior into a habit, and during this time, it’s important to carefully monitor and track your progress.

Think of change as a creative process. Utilize technology to send yourself reminders and positive encouragement. Enlist the help of friends and family members to gently nudge you toward success. Visualize the end result of the changes you are making. Remember that making any change takes time, and that you may slip up from time to time.

If this happens, simply get back on track and don’t be mean to yourself. Eventually, your resolution will become a part of your life and you can begin making plans for next year’s resolutions.

Like many of us, I made some resolutions to start things off in 2010. But the devastating Earth Quake in Haiti caused me to add another resolution.

• I resolve to stand with our neighbors to the south and contribute to the relief efforts in Haiti. I will donate 2 sales out of each 10 sales (20%) to the American Red Cross’ relief efforts in Haiti.