You all know that 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:

• Reread this year’s resolutions and honestly evaluate your progress. Is there anything you need to carry over?
• Then, imagine what you’d like your life to be like at this time next year (be realistic). 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 work out for 30 minutes three times a week and to use the stairs instead of the elevator on Tuesdays.
• Write your resolutions down and refer to the list often. (I keep mine taped to the inside of my closet door.)
• As much as possible, schedule 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.

Good luck!