Stop Pretending That You're Going To Keep Those New Year's Resolutions This Year

New Year's is a hopeful time of year filled with endings and new beginnings, with aspirations and hope for change. About 45 percent of Americans usually make New Year's resolutions, but unfortunately, the number of those that are actually successful at their pledges is dismal at best: a mere eight percent.

It's sad that so few end up reaching their goals, but according to Forbes, it's probably because we're all setting our expectations too high — a huge lifestyle change is going to be hard to keep up for a year, so it's better to set realistic goals in increments so you don't burn out too quickly.

Another tip? Make sure your goal is measurable, not some vague ambition. The number one New Year's resolution made in America every year is to lose weight, so instead of wording it like that, decide to cut out certain foods or attend one specific class a week at your nearby gym.

In 2016, make sure you're setting realistic expectations for yourself, or as the statistics show, you're probably not going to achieve them. Write down specific goals that you can measure, and you'll be well on your way to a better year.