It’s that time again. The time of the year when parking at the gym gets harder, check books stay balanced and generally good habits are being created. Or attempted to be created.

I’d really be interested to know just what the success rate is for New Year’s Resolutions. Probably not very high.

I don’t say this to be discouraging. In fact, I’m going to share a couple tips that might help. Full disclaimer, I’ve never actually made it through a whole year, BUT I did a kind of New Year’s Resolution on my birthday (in July), and I’ve been successful for about six months, which is longer than any previous attempts.

First, I think in my situation the most important thing is that my birthday is halfway through the year. So New Year’s has served as a kind of pick me up. Instead of changing something, I’ve just got to strengthen my resolve.

Second, there’s just something about adding another year to your age that just seems more concrete.

But that doesn’t necessarily help those that are making those New Year’s Resolutions right now.

Okay so those gung-ho’ers out there who are starting now here’s my first tip: make a whole list. Decide on five to ten things out there you want to change. Give yourself something easy. Give yourself something hard.

My birthday list included having a more positive attitude, reading the Bible daily (these first two have had varying waves of being successful), working out regularly (mark success here, but mostly as a procrastination method), reading a book a month (this ironically has taken the most effort) and cutting down my television time (overwhelming failure).

According to my logic, if you just throw everything at the board, at least one thing will stick.

My planner has been key to achieving the fitness and reading goals. There’s something in my mind that just forces me to do those things I have physically written down.

Maybe for those less driven by their compulsive nature, that won’t work. Maybe it’s as simple as setting a reminder on your phone or writing it down somewhere you’ll see it frequently. You can get a friend involved to help with accountability. The point is find whatever works for and do it. If you’re not sure, do it all just as a failsafe.

Another thing that has helped me is to set achievable goals, but also goals that can be increased. For example, for fitness I just said workout regularly. There may be a few exceptions, but generally every one can find at least 30 minutes a couple times a week.

Once you achieve that goal, then you can up the ante a little. So about October, I decided I wanted to be able to run 3 miles non-stop by the end of 2015. And here is the most important advice I can give you, I didn’t go in the next day and run 3 miles. I didn’t even try. I knew that running longer than about ten minutes was going to be a stretch for me. So I started where I was, and I ramped it up slowly. I did achieve my goal, and I did so without hurting myself.

No matter what your own goal is, you should apply the same concept. Don’t try to start reading more and pick up War and Peace. First of all, it’s extremely long. It will take you a long time, and you’ll get discouraged. That’s the last thing you want. If you’re not used to finding time to read, choose a thriller. They may or may not be literary genius, but I guarantee you they’ll keep you interested.

At the end of the day, resolutions are just about will power. If nothing else works, don’t be above bribing yourself. Reward yourself for what you’ve accomplished. Eventually the accomplishment itself will be enough, but it doesn’t have to be today.

Be patient. Be steady. Don’t give up. And your New Year’s Resolution can actually come true this year.

Julia V. Pendley is the news editor of The Daily Leader. You may email her at julia.pendley@dailyleader.com or mail a letter to her at Julia V. Pendley, News Editor, P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602-0551.