Remember when you were going to travel to new places, learn new things, and volunteer more? Or potentially quit smoking, drink less, and become less stressed?

Doesn't ring a bell? What about losing weight, eating healthier, and spending more time with your family? The bottom line...maybe you did not carry out the goals you set at the beginning of the year. The fact of the matter is that New Year's Resolutions are hard to maintain. Most people have aspirations - newborn hope at the start of the next year - but why are these promises almost always broken?

THEY AREN'T THOUGHT THROUGH!

I may be just a 19-year-old college student, but here are a few things to consider when making resolutions for 2016. Answering these questions will increase the success of your resolutions.

1. Why do you want to make this change?

This is an important question, because if you don't have very good reasons for making the change, you will not be committed to it and will probably not be very successful.

2. If you decide to make this change, how might you go about it so you can succeed?

This is important to consider, because it makes you think about your plan of action that is particular to you.

3. What are the three best reasons for you to make this change?

Finding out what your three best reasons for the changes are important to finding your motivation. Once you have motivation, it is easier to stick with the plan.

4. How important is it for you to make this change on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 as not important and 10 as very important?

This step helps you to continue to build your motivation by putting a number on how important something is for you. If you find that what you have selected to change is not, at least, a 7, you may want to rethink what you are planning to change.

5. What will you do?

At this point, you should have enough motivation to make the change you have identified and are now willing to go for it.

Changing behavior is never easy. But the new year is a great time to start. Asking yourself these questions can help identify what is important to you, build your motivation, and increase your chance for success.