New Year's Resolutions

- Resolutions: do you make one? Should you? 

It's time for those New Year's Resolutions, to look back and create a new beginning for 2017.

About.com names the ten most common resolutions, which are:

1. Spending more time with family and friends- 50 percent of Americans pick this resolution
2. Fitness- Health and wellness is a commonly defined goal for most Americans
3. Shed pounds- 66 percent of American's are considered overweight and this is one of American's most suggested resolution
4. Quit smoking- quit drinking. A common resolution to give up something that is bad for our health and well-being
5. Enjoy more of life. Whether it's creating a list of blessings, being grateful, or just creating a list of important values, this is the time that most of us look at what is important in our life.

But keeping our resolutions is difficult for many of us. Here are some tips for creating successful resolutions for 2017:

1. Focus on intentions. We are more successful when we look at an intention such as losing weight, or becoming fitter. We limit our success when we put limits, demands and musts into the equations, such as "I must lose 50 pounds, I must save $5000, or I must find a new job." Musts create expectations that can lead to failures.

2. Set goals that are consistent with your values. For instance, if you decide that you want to enjoy more of life it would be inconsistent to take on five new massive projects at work. Those goals and values are not consistent. If you decide you want to change something, make sure that you get out of your own way so you can accomplish your desires.

3. Dream big and hope for movement. Dreamers are optimists who move toward goals. The key to success is to see the possibilities and to acknowledge all the steps you make towards your dreams in 2013.

4. Forget deprivation. Depriving yourself of anything creates more desire to move toward that item. Restrictions and punishment are not successful means for creating change and resolution. Instead of looking at restrictive diets or budgets, find ways to set goals that are realistic and attainable.

The most important key to successful resolutions is to break down the goal into little steps and reward your accomplishments along the way. If you do this, 2013 will be a healthier and happier year for you.