With apps like stickK, you can set a goal and work towards it, basically by threatening yourself with losing money. That's right—you connect a form of payment and have to

follow through on your resolutions in order to keep your money in your bank account.

Once you have set a goal, you can work towards it, and if you're good then your money stay right where you left it. If you fail, you can ensure that

it's sent to a worthy cause, such as a charity of your choice. 

Alternatively, if you want some reinforcement of the more negative variety, you can send your money to a charity you hate. This kind of investment will ensure you meet

your goal so the enemy doesn't get your sweet, sweet, hard-earned money.

Every night, slap a post-it with a gentle reminder about your resolution to your front door. As you head out for the day, your promise will stick in your head.

Beeminder is an app that connects to other apps such as FitBit and keeps track of your progress. It maps it into a handy, metaphorical yellow brick road that

you can follow. If you stay on the road, then you're golden, go off it and you have to (literally) pay the price.

Instead of choosing "getting in shape," you should go small with your goal, and make it as specific as possible. Choose "run a mile non-stop" instead. Once you have done that,

set a longer distance or choose a different goal. Grow from smaller steps. 

If you want to start eating better, then start off by setting out your breakfast ingredients when you make your coffee. Alternatively, you could make a green lunch smoothie at

the same time you're making a healthy breakfast. This could work for any type of goal.

Every single time that you've accomplished your goal, take a minute to think about how successful you're being. The benefits of this mental positive reinforcement will only grow over time.

Studies show that you form a new habit in 66 days. Mark your calendar for 66 days from the beginning of January. Tell yourself that no matter how

horrible your new habit is, you can quit on that date. Chances are, by the time March hits, you'll be too used to doing it. 

This doesn't need to be an exercise thing. With help from services like coach.me you can find a coach for all kinds of things. You don't have to be

alone in your resolution struggles—hire someone to yell at you. 

Keep a journal and track your thoughts and feelings about the resolution that you have set for yourself.

Do you respond better to negative reinforcement? Like strapping a rubber band around your wrist to snap, Pavlok will send a shock whenever you break your resolution. 

If you set mini goals, then you can finish one and pick up with the next one. You will be eager to progress to a new one. Just make sure

you have several set up or you might get off track.

If you work with a friend or two, your goals might be easier to reach. You can agree on something and keep each other accountable the entire way. It's easier

to lie to yourself about your progress than it is to friends. 

If you choose a goal that you aren't strongly passionate about, then you might not succeed at it. Find something about this thing you don't want to do (exercise, eating

better, sleeping more) that keeps you interested. Maybe you can focus on how the end goal will make you feel. 

Don't allow yourself to be put into situations where you can get off track. That party your friend is throwing with the 15-foot lava cake? Maybe don't go to that—it's better

to avoid the temptation all together.

Do this every morning. Grab a piece of paper and write out what your goal is and why you're doing it. Keep both aspects of your resolution in mind as

you go about your day.

If you decide your birthday should be a cheat day, then suddenly your BFF's birthday will be too, then your parents', and then your SO, etc. until the end of

time. 

Always keep things light. If you get off track for a day, don't get down on yourself. Work to move forward and keep on smiling. Things will only get worse

if you let them. 

If you're interested in more exercise, do something like sign up for a marathon that's six months away. Instead of setting a daily goal, find ways to build up to

that end goal, such as running a little more each day.

Every day, focus on succeeding in your goal. Have a daydream session of sorts, where you imagine yourself completing your daily goal. If you feel yourself getting off track, make

sure you have that daydream destination ready for a round two. 

If you're analytical, lay it all out on a graph! This will show you how much you've actually grown and keep you in a positive mindset moving forward, so that

you're more likely to stick with your goal.

We are all bound to make mistakes when first starting out. We can't let them define us though. If you make a mistake, don't assume you've failed the whole resolution

and quit. Just start fresh tomorrow. 

Find others who have the same goal as you and work toward it together. You will keep each other accountable and having friends on your side will make your end

goal seem less daunting.

Treat your resolutions like chess pieces. If one move fails, then have a backup resolution ready to take it's place. Chances are, you were thinking too big and can't complete

the original resolution. Just make sure you stay positive and pick things up with something more doable. 

This app allows you to create goals and it will then track your progress through daily updates that you provide. 

If your goal is big, then you should work up to it. Build a strong base and go from there. For example, stop drinking one cup of coffee per day,

then up it to two, and so on until you have completely stopped drinking coffee. 

Some people will want you to stay the way you already are. If you are committed to changing, then you will need to ignore the temptations that these kinds of

people will offer you. 

This app will allow you to set multiple goals and then will track your progress as you go about meeting them (or failing to—don't do that).

Every few days, take time out of your day to stand in front of a mirror, look yourself in the eye, and verbally remind yourself why you've set this goal.

Whatever you have chosen, each time you do it, don't think about how boring or un-fun the task is. Think about the positive outcomes it will produce instead. 

It may be a cliche, but it's a cliche for a reason. Instead of rushing into your task, take things slow and make sure you are coming at it the

right way and that you aren't biting off more than you can chew.

If possible, don't pick a goal that requires you to buy something. Chances are, you will blow all of your enthusiasm at the store and will be uninterested when it's

time to start. And you will be out all that money.

Preferably, you will start your list with the goal you want to accomplish the most—your resolution. If not first, put it as close to the top as you possibly can. 

This app allows you to write notes about what you find yourself feeling grateful for. It will make for a great practice going forward. If you feel grateful

for your ability to pursue your new goal, you will be more likely to accomplish it.

Whenever someone compliments the changes you have been implementing, take notice. If you recognize that someone else has noticed your positive changes, then it will make you more likely to

want to continue. 

Goals Wizard is a service that you can sign up for that will assist you in creating a goal-based success plan for the new year. They offer step-by-step

tools and a support system along the way. 

These can be anything form positive affirmations to gentle reminders. The goal is to keep your new goal in the front of your mind at all times.

Wunderlist is an app that allows you to create lists and reminders to do things at certain times. By setting up your resolution on here, there is no

way you'll have a chance to forget it! 

If you know someone with the same goal as you, why not race them? See who can hit their goal soonest. This will keep you both motivated.