I’m a big fan of new year’s resolutions. I consider making resolutions to be a kind of personal strategic planning.

Here are my recommendations for making new year’s resolutions:

• Start by imagining what you’d like your life to be like at this time next year (be realistic – it needs to be things in your control). Then think about the steps you need to take to get there. Focus your resolutions on those things.
• Make your resolutions as specific as possible. Instead of “I will eat better” resolve that “I will keep a bowl of fruit on my desk at work and eat at least one piece a day.” Instead of “I will exercise more” resolve to workout for 30 minutes three times a week and to use the stairs on Tuesdays.
• Write your resolutions down and refer to the list often.
• As much as possible, schedule in your calendar activities to help you keep your resolutions. Make an appointment with a personal trainer, research and schedule a cooking class, block out a few afternoons to reorganize files or closets — whatever it takes.