At the beginning of every new year, people all over have made all kinds of different New Year’s resolutions. People search for things in their lives that they would like to change or improve on for the new year to come.

Some people strive to be nicer, to speak out more, to save more money, to make more friends or to eat healthier foods.

One of the most common resolutions people have is to get into shape. In January, gyms are crowded with people attempting to fulfill their resolutions and get in shape.

However by February, gyms get less and less populated. The hype of New Year’s resolutions has faded away and many people go back to their lives forgetting the changes they had once hoped to make.

This year doesn’t have to be this way though. If you have made any sort of resolution this year, with a little extra attention, you can make the changes that you have been wanting to make and maintain them. In order to do this you have to first work your change into your life.

Whatever it is you are setting out to do differently this year, you have to carve out specific time just for that thing or you have to work it into your life in a consistent way. Simply saying you will do something is not sufficient.

A helpful way to work some changes into your schedule is by attaching it to another habit you already have in place.

For example, your resolution was achieving rock-hard abs and you’re already in the habit of brushing your teeth every night. Now say you’ll do 50 sit-ups every night after you brush your teeth. However, how far will 50 miserable sit-ups get you?

It is important not to expect too much of yourself at once. To effectively make big changes in your life, you have to work them in gradually.

Think of yourself on the first floor of a building and think of your goal or the change you wish to make to be on the second floor. How do you reach that goal on the second floor? Take manageable steps towards your goal and be patient with yourself. Recognize when you’ve given yourself too much change and allow yourself a break.

When 50 sit-ups feel too easy, then do 100 or find some other abdominal toning exercise and be patient because eventually you will have the ability to look like Superman.

Once you have worked your resolution into your life, take time to reflect and see how you have progressed.

By observing what has gone well for you and what hasn’t worked, you can make even more changes in working towards your goal. How were you successful? Listen to that and you can become even more successful.

By being consistent, patient, and observant, you can work your way up to fulfilling and maintaining all types of wonderful New Year’s resolutions.