We’re almost into the new year, which means millions of Americans are flooding gyms, stocking their refrigerators with fresh fruits and veggies, cleaning and organizing their homes and generally trying to establish positive habits for 2023. Unfortunately, for many of us, trying – and ultimately, failing – to meet a New Year’s resolution has itself become a habit each year. Use these tips to help you set, reach and maybe even exceed your New Year’s goals this year.

Assess last year’s resolutions

Did you achieve your New Year’s resolutions last year? If not, what went wrong? It’s easy to attempt the same goal every year, but a little introspection and evaluation may reveal the reason you couldn’t quite reach last year’s goal, which can provide valuable insight into how you can better approach your resolutions this year.

Set short- and long-term goals

Have you resolved to lose weight? Get organized? Learn an instrument? Take some time to set specific goals for yourself, both in the short term and in the long run. If you resolve to lose 20 pounds overall, set an incremental goal of one or two pounds per week, or a half hour of aerobic exercise every day. If you plan to get your house organized before spring, start with one or two rooms per month. Setting smaller goals will help you stay on track to achieve the larger ones.

Share with a friend

Accountability is a powerful tool in helping you reach your goals. Share your New Year’s resolutions with a friend, or better yet, hold each other mutually accountable. Having someone to encourage you, and point out when you’re not sticking to your goals, can be a big boost toward keeping you motivated and moving toward your resolutions.

Forgive yourself and keep trying

If you fall short of a New Year’s resolution, it’s okay to forgive yourself and “get back on the horse.” Beating yourself up over missing a goal will not help you achieve it, nor encourage you to keep trying.

Apply these tips to your New Year’s resolutions this year, and you’ll have a much better chance of reaching them. Good luck!