Although the switch from 2008 to 2009 only took a second, it was a considerable change. In this year, thousands of people, from our nation’s political leaders to average citizens, will be making resolutions to better their lives in some way.

Typically, we have grand visions for ourselves: We will get to the gym everyday and grind in that six-pack we have always wanted, start being more proactive about lining up a job or internship for the summer or keep the apartment clean enough that it’s habitable for other living creatures like, say, your roommate. In that one second that it takes to become a new year, all of our dreams seem perfectly attainable.

So why is it that we find ourselves binging on half-and-halves and fro-yo at Bear’s Den at 2 a.m. not even one week after we promised ourselves to eat healthier this year? Ambitious goals are great, and we shouldn’t be faulted for setting our sights high. There are ways to manage your goals so they are achievable.

The first thing to keep in mind when making resolutions is to keep them realistic. Instead of saying you plan on being the next Michael Phelps by 2010, start by focusing on improving your 500-meter fly by 20 or 30 seconds. Being honest with yourself about what you actually intend to do will be more likely to yield better results in the end, and your resolution will not feel like such a daunting task.

Think about the things you want to work on the most. Trying to make a number of serious changes in your life can be exhausting and unrealistic. Pick only what you are most adamant about changing—that way, you can give that issue the adequate time and consideration it needs, and you will be more likely to make that adjustment.

After you have committed to a few resolutions, make a feasible plan for how see them through. Ask yourself questions like: How much time is this commitment going to take on a day-to-day basis? Is this a habit or activity that I want to continue for an extensive period of time, or can I stop or slow down once I reach a certain point? What do I have to do everyday to make sure I see this to the end? If you are trying to volunteer during the week, block off time that you will devote to getting that done. Acknowledge that time as a serious commitment that should be respected.

Some resolutions that you have in common with friends may lend themselves to being done together. If you have a partner for weightlifting, for instance, you are more likely to see your resolution through because now you’ve made the commitment to yourself and to your friend to make time to go to the gym. You can give each other much-needed pep talks or compliments to keep each other from slacking.

So, let’s say you’ve made it for two weeks and you’ve kept up with your resolution. Give yourself a pat on the back! You’ve made it a lot farther than the majority of people who make New Year’s resolutions. It is important to take the time along the way to recognize and value how far you have come in achieving your goal. Write down your accomplishments so that you can see them and remind yourself of how well you are doing.

But what if after all of this work (or no work at all) you break your resolution? Do you just scrap everything and wait until next year to pick up where you left off? Of course not. It is normal to have relapses or moments of weakness. You shouldn’t get discouraged if you stray. You can, however, take measures to prevent a break the next time. Identify what it was that caused you to lose your focus and be proactive in avoiding it.

Take chocolate, for example. It’s a weakness of a significant portion of the population—some may even consider it to be their kryptonite. It’s easy to write off a few chocolate chips after dinner as no big deal, but when a few become handfuls, you’ve got a problem. In order to prevent overdoing your chocolate intake, start by not buying it in the first place. If you get the urge for something sweet, eat some fruit, call a friend or go for a walk.

Don’t be afraid to get going on those resolutions. After all, you still have a few hundred days ahead of yourself before 2010 comes, and it’s time for a new one. The sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll achieve your goal.