Every year, many of us try to make New Year's Resolutions. Some of us reach our goals, but most of us don't. Why is failure so common? Read on for things to be mindful of when making resolutions for 2018.

1. Making Unrealistic Plans

Reducing your weight by 20 kg (44 pounds) can’t happen in six months, nor are you going to climb the Mount Everest if you have never scaled a mountain before. You aren't suddenly going to do well on your final exams after studying for a week. Things take time. Making your plans without considering your current situation can be foolish.

2. Making Plans Without a Timeline

If you are one of those people who loves to make plans, first you have to learn to allot time each day to work on it. Habits don’t form overnight. You have to work towards your goal each day or at least each week to make it a reality.

3. Telling Everyone About Your Plans

Telling everyone about your goals gives your mind a happy feeling and signals to the brain that you have decided to do something good or useful. Your mind then becomes contented. Simply telling everyone your goals prompts them to respond with, “Wow! That’s amazing! You will definitely do that!” Have these same people hold you accountable for your goals.

4. Not Being Honest With Yourself

When you don’t get work done and you say to yourself, "It’s okay that it didn’t happen. Maybe next time." The next time usually never comes. If you lie to yourself about your own reality, it will make it even more difficult for you to reach your goals.

5. Lack Of Self-Confidence

If you don’t believe in yourself, it becomes much more difficult to achieve your New Year's Resolution. If you look at the white sheet of paper in front of you every day and think, “Maybe I am not good enough for this”, you won't get anywhere. Of course, you may fail, but you have already failed if you didn’t even try.

6. Being Around People Who Don't Believe in You

Have you been in situations where you wanted complete a task but you were brought down by the people around you because they thought you weren’t good enough? It’s more common than you think! Surround yourself with people who give constructive criticism sometimes and encouragement all the time.

7. Not Being Motivated Enough

Most of us make plans after seeing other people's resolutions instead of thinking about whether that goal is fitting or not. It's like getting into a rat race of goals. Do you really want to go to the gym or is it just peer pressure? Do you really want to go hiking or did someone say you weren't "man enough" to do it? Sounds ridiculous, right? If it isn't "your" goal, you will never be motivated enough to complete it.