Why is it so hard to stick to New Year’s resolutions? The majority of people take a vow to lose weight, exercise more or volunteer more. These are all commendable resolutions, but most people don’t fulfill their resolutions and end up putting it on the list of things to accomplish in the following year. We’ve all been there.

Here are some ways you can make your intentions a reality:

Write down your intentions and keep them in a visible place, like taped to your bedroom mirror.

Figure out the bad patterns from your past that has kept you from achieving your goal. Are you in a stressful relationship that causes you to eat a pint of Ben & Jerry’s every night? If you don’t tackle the root of the behavior it will be much harder to accomplish your weight loss goal.

Be clear as to what your life would look like once you achieve these goals. If you resolve to go to the gym more, how will this benefit you?

Share your resolutions with a friend or a loved one. Hold each other accountable for achieving your goals. If you want to go to the gym more, have a friend call you two or three times a week to see what time you’re going or invite them to join you.

Reward yourself with every little accomplishment. If your intention is to lose weight and you lose 1 pound a week, pamper yourself with a massage.

What are your intentions for 2009? Let it be your best year yet.