1. Making the same resolutions every year

Many people make the same resolutions on the first day of every year without assessing why they didn't achieve their goals the previous year. There's no point vowing to quit ciggies for the fifth year in a row, if you haven't asked yourself why you didn't succeed in previous years. What have you tried? What worked and what didn't work? Do you need to learn more about quitting smoking, see a doctor or a hypnotist? Maybe you need to buy patches to combat withdrawal.

2. Failing to make a plan to achieve your goals

So you want to lose 10kg (22lb)? Great! However, without a plan your chances of success diminish. You need to know how you are going to lose that weight. Will you count calories? Do more exercise? Have you set aside a specific time each day to do your exercise or prepare healthy meal?

3. Setting unrealistic goals

I'm all for setting goals that are a challenge and stretch you. If your New Year's Resolution doesn't force you to make changes then it's not going to help you move forward with your life, but is it realistic for a 60 year old to play basketball for the NBA? Chances are it's not. You need to set goals that are just slightly out of reach. If you achieve your goal in record time you can always add new goals to your list as the year rolls on.

4. Choosing goals you are not committed to

Doing something because you "should", because your boyfriend or mother thinks it's a good idea isn't going to work. Choose goals that are meaningful to you - if your heart's not in it then you won't enjoy the process or the results. There are many things we "should" do in our lives. If your smoking is causing cancer, or your weight puts you at risk of diabetes then you need to make changes, but you need to put your entire heart into the effort. Without that commitment you will falter at the first obstacle.

5. Failing to take any action to achieve your goals

So, 2007 is going to be your year. You're going to buy for your first home, get fit and take a course in flower arranging. Fantastic! But what are you doing about it? Setting goals is only the first step. If you want success you need to make a plan and take action.

6. Not preparing your environment to support you in your goals

There will always be obstacles when you are making changes. If you want to be successful you need to anticipate these obstacles and adjust your environment to help you in your goals. If you are planning to quit smoking, chocolate or alcohol then you should clear these things out of your home. If you want to start a new business, but are surrounded by people who fill your mind with doubts and negativity, then you need to move away from those unsupportive people or find ways to protect yourself. Look at the people around you and your physical environment and ensure it is compatible with your goals.

7. Lacking a powerful reason to make the necessary changes in your life

In a word your powerful reason for making change is your motivation. Without motivation it's hard to persevere, particularly if your goal involves hard work or deprivation. Maybe you've decided to launch yourself into an exercise program. Now ask yourself why? What is your powerful reason for change? What fires you up and gets you excited? Is it to lose weight or fit into some of those "skinny" clothes in the back of your wardrobe? Are you getting fit so you can learn dancing or go on a cycling tour in the south of France? Give yourself a reason to change, and remind yourself of this on a daily basis. Pin pictures on the wall of the places you'd like to visit and the things that you will be able to do with the extra energy you get from your new exercise program and you will assure yourself of success.

8. Not chunking your goals down

When you set large goals they can seem insurmountable, but when you break them down into smaller goals and tasks they become more achievable. You can set a goal for the year and then break it down into weekly or monthly goals. I think it's better to set small goals, or if you have a big goal to break it down into smaller goals. Imagine if we could add one new habit each month! In a year your life would be totally transformed. So, instead of thinking of one big goal for the year, consider 12 small goals that would transform your life at the end of the year.

9. Focusing on failure

Maybe, you planned to lose 20 kilos but only lost 10kg last year. Is that a failure? No. Partial achievement of goals is still a success. When you focus on falling short of your goal you lose your motivation and become discouraged from further action. By focusing on the things that you did right and the progress you have made you learn how to improve your life.

10. Not reviewing goals

You need to review your goals on a periodic basis. There are lots of benefits to these reviews. For one thing, it's easy to lose focus and 'forget' that you planned to change your saving habits or cut back on junk food. It's also easy to give up when your plan to transform yourself doesn't pan out. By reviewing your goals you can decide whether they need to be changed, or devise new strategies for achieving them.

Good luck with your goals for the coming year!