The beginning of the New Year is a time to look forward to the future and picture how it should be. It’s a time to make personal changes and try to live better lives. It’s a time to come up with revolutionary new ideas for 2014. But unfortunately, most of our ideas are not revolutionary at all. Many times resolutions turn into plans without action after a month or two. For instance, gym membership numbers skyrocket in January. New faces fill the weight and exercise machines but by March, the same bodybuilders and exercise enthusiasts are the only ones left. This year, try to think of new ideas. Even make your changes easier if need so that you don’t break them. Here are a few of the most commonly broken New Year’s resolutions.

1.    Lose weight and get fit- This is probably the most commonly chosen New Year’s resolution, yet is also the most easily broken. Instead of just wanting to lose weight or get a gym membership, set a goal. Make a plan. For example, try to lose five pounds instead of trying to do an unspecified thing. It is much easier to have motivation when you have particular goal in mind.

2.    Eat healthier- This resolution goes hand in hand with the other one. Junk food and fast foods may be appealing and hard to resist, but there’s many ways you can avoid them. Try bringing your own lunch instead of buying at the cafeteria. If you can’t make yourself pack something healthy, try bribing a sibling or parent to pack something for you. Just remember pick someone that that likes you. Cutting back on portions of food is even a positive if eating fruits and vegetables isn’t working out. It’s all about moderation.

3.    Using less social media- This may be the hardest to start and easiest to break. Social media is simply addicting. No one said you had to get rid of it completely, just cut back. Try actually paying attention in history or math instead of checking the latest pictures on Instagram. You may have to delete the app off of your phone but it may turn out to be well worth it. Grades could improve. You could even make a friend of that person next to you in class that you never talk to.

Maybe even have a partner to attempt the resolution with. Motivating one another can be easier than self motivation. Whatever the resolution is, the key is to make it achievable. Standards shouldn’t be low, but setting unrealistic goals is synonymous for failure.  Set small milestones along the way, celebrate when you achieve them, and soon your resolution will be a reality.