4. Pray. Prayer brings into play the spiritual help you need to reach your goals.

5. Work with God. Change involves overcoming past thought and behavioral patterns. This is never easy, but change for the better is possible if you ask God to help and follow His lead. “With God nothing will be impossible.”¹

6. Chart your progress. Keep track of how far you’ve come, using a journal or chart. Keeping records and reviewing them periodically can also help you to identify weak spots.

7. Get help from others. Share your plan with a friend and ask for his or her help. Being accountable to someone will give you added incentive to stick to your resolutions even when it’s tough.

8. Don’t be discouraged by your mistakes. You will have some setbacks and “off” days. Take these lows as a reminder that you can’t do it on your own. Draw closer to God and depend more on His help. Tomorrow is a fresh chance to do better!

9. Be in it for the long haul. If you are truly serious about making a change, you will be willing to see it through, no matter how long it takes.

10. Visualize victory. Periodically visualize what your life will be like once your goal is reached. Picture the advantages you will gain and how much happier, healthier, or more productive you will be.

11. Reward yourself for each goal you reach. The real reward will be the feeling of accomplishment and the benefits you’ll experience from the change you’ve made, but having a physical treat attached to a specific goal can make it even more enjoyable.

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Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.—Maria Robinson

1. Luke 1:37