With the New Year comes a new set of challenges, goals and changes for a better life.
Many people choose this time of year to set new goals for themselves - things they would like to change or improve in the coming year.
We call these changes "New Year's resolutions," and many people only work toward their goals for the first few weeks of the year.
It's seems easy to lose weight when you first entertain the idea, but weeks into it, it's hard to resist the big piece of chocolate cake or greasy pepperoni pizza.
Unfortunately, most people quit when the going gets tough.
Goals and changes are exciting until reality sets in and you realize that extensive work and dedication are involved.
That's why so many people fail to stick with their resolutions.
It's just easier not to change - to be who you are instead of who you want to be.
Good things in life do not come easily.
You have to work to make a living, work to get through school and work to build and keep relationships.
Not all of the best things in life are free.
It's important to set goals for yourself, and even more important to ensure that you don't devalue those goals.
You determine the value of your life and your goals.
If you give up on your goals, your goals have no value.
If you make working toward your goals a priority, those goals will have value in your life.
You have to stick with your dreams to achieve them.
Not all New Year's resolutions have to do with weight loss and healthy eating.
You could set a goal to become a better you this year.
How so? Evaluate your life.
Are you happy? Consider all aspects.
Your job, your relationships, your health and your overall happiness.
In general, are you happy? What would make you happier? More money? Better relationships? Higher education? Separate the important from the unimportant in your life.
If you'd be happier if you patched up a broken relationship with an old friend, make that your goal.
These things are not always easy.
You may have to work at it.
It could take months, but you have to decide how important it is to you.
If it's important enough to work at for six months, then do it.
The same goes for career goals.
Want that promotion? Work for it.
You may not like your current position, but you have to show your stuff to prove that you are ready for the next level, even if it means long hours of work that you aren't crazy about.
Everyone has hurdles on the way to their goals - that's what makes reaching goals so satisfying.
Take time to prioritize your life.
Think of ways you could be a better person - for yourself, and for those around you.
Are you constantly late? Make it a goal to arrive 15 minutes early to everything.
You have the power to make these changes in your life.
No one is born to be late - it's a habit that you can break and change for the better.
Evaluate where you are now and where you want to be by the end of this year.
Set goals and set time-frames.
Work toward those goals, pursuing them daily.
Know that it will not be easy and that it will not be quick.
Know that it will be a process and you will have to work for it.
That is the first step to success.