Why do we make New Year’s resolutions if we’re not trying to keep them??? In one study, only 12% of people who make resolutions felt they actually kept them. Some of the most common promises we make are to lose weight, eat healthier, exercise, make better financial choices, or quit a vice like smoking or alcohol.

The only way any of these new aspirations make a difference is by sticking to them, so here are a few ways to help you on a path to a better life, whatever your goal may be.

Don't bother creating a vague resolution like, "I want to get healthier," or "I want to be happier." Some days you'll feel as though you're reaching your goals, but other days you won't--and an intangible, vague goal will cause you to feel unaccomplished.

Create specific measurable goals like, "I want to go to the gym three nights per week," or "I want to cut fried foods completely out of my diet." Then, you'll have a clear target to aim for.

While you might have a long list of potential New Year's resolutions, pick just one and focus your energies on it rather than spreading yourself too thin among a number of different objectives.

You can't lose weight or get out of debt without action steps that will help you get there. Create a plan that includes objectives that will create change.

Whether you are going to eat a salad for lunch every day or you're going to stop shopping until you've paid off your credit card bill, commit to taking action that will help you get closer to your goal.

It's easy to feel motivated early on in the process. But after a week or two, your motivation will naturally wane.

To prepare yourself for that dip in motivation, set yourself up for success well in advance. Make bad habits inconvenient and good habits convenient.

Store the cookies in a hard to reach place, or don’t even keep any in the house. Pick out your workout gear the night before. Keep your credit card in a locked drawer instead of your wallet. You'll be more likely to do things that feel easy, even when your motivation declines.

There will always be temptations and obstacles that could easily derail you from your resolution. It may be an invitation to dinner that could blow your budget--or your diet. Or it may come in the form of a special project at work that leaves you with fewer hours to devote to your goals.

Think about the obstacles you're likely to encounter in the first weeks after establishing your resolution. Consider how you'll navigate these challenges, and develop a plan.

Planning ahead for the probable challenges can help you feel equipped to handle the unexpected obstacles that pop up along the way as well. You may have to say “no” to a few friends!

You need to know if you're headed in the right direction. So it's important to find a way to track your progress.

Use an app or a calendar to check off the days you work on your goal. Or create a chart, spreadsheet, or graph that helps you visualize your progress.

When you're able to see how you're doing and the steps you're taking, it can remind you how far you've come. Reviewing your effort can also help you stay on course when it feels as though you're not making any headway (which is common).

Keep in mind that progress doesn't always come in a straight line. Sometimes, things get a little worse before they get better--but this doesn't mean you should give up.

Mistakes are part of the process. But too often people think one mistake means they're destined to fail. Don’t give up!

When you make a mistake--like you skip the gym for a week, or you make a ridiculous impulse purchase you can't return--learn from your misstep.

In fact, one study showed that people who were successful in maintaining their resolutions tended to slip up at least 14 times. The vast majority of these successful individuals said they'd found ways to turn their mistakes into opportunities to grow stronger and become better.