Here we are, not quite one full week into the month February, and you have already forgotten about those New Year’s resolutions you made just over five weeks ago. (Unless you have kept them, in which case I commend and admire you). What went wrong? How did you (and I) fail so easily?

A lot of the time, it’s because we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves, take on too much at one time, or just don’t keep up with it. Answer these questions for yourself to see if you messed up for the same reasons I did.

Did you set a time-frame?

Sure, you probably said you want to eat healthier this year, but did you say how quickly you wanted to adjust to the healthy lifestyle? I told myself I would work out more, but I didn’t say what the goal was. Just vaguely giving yourself 365 to do whatever it is you want to isn’t cutting it. PICK A DAY that you want to have a certain amount of money saved, or a number of days you don’t want to eat red meat.

Did you make it specific?

Again, I want to work out more. But when your starting line is not working out at all, any amount of exercise counts. Choose a number of times you want to go to the gym, and stick with it. Eating better, being happier, and saving money are some of the most common resolutions, but how can you actually eat better or be happier? Make a plan. Decide to cut out sugar from your diet or make it a goal to compliment someone each day.

Did you expect immediate results?

Just like I can’t expect washboard abs after doing one sit up, you can’t expect a million dollars in your bank account after you decided not to buy that one shirt you thought you had to have. While some goals are short term, they aren’t immediate. It will take some time to reach your resolutions. That’s the whole point of having a year to do it- not to slack off and wait until December rolls around for you to get started, but to start in January and KEEP GOING even when it seems like nothing has changed.

Did you hold yourself accountable?

Whether by way of a honest friend or an app to keep track of the days, did you stay accountable for the goals you set? Find someone who can be honest, but kind when it comes to helping you stay on track. Sometimes, that person might even be willing to set the goals with you and be there step by step. Get a gym buddy, healthy dinner date, or surround yourself with positive people. It will make a difference. If you can’t find a friend, get an app or calendar to serve as a physical reminder of your goal. Check off every day that you succeed, write your experience down or countdown until your deadline.

Try Again.

This isn’t a question, but it is a reminder. While it only took you 5 weeks to forget about your goal, there are still 47 left in the year. Make them count. Start over if you need to, but start over now. Don’t keep putting it off because the first of the year has passed, or because it’s halfway through the month. You can’t go anywhere if you don’t start from somewhere.