A great starting point is finding something meaningful to you; this will encourage focus and motivation around what you want to achieve. If you are influenced to choose a goal based on what someone else or society is telling you to do, you won't have the same drive or emotional attachment to follow through.

Keep it personal and keep it specific. Put some time into creating a plan, and think about what exactly the end result looks like and why you want it; this will help ensure it is clear to you what the goal is. If it is too vague, you aren’t giving yourself a concrete objective, and you will inherently lose interest.

For example, if you want to start saving money in the next year, figure out what you are saving for and how much you want to save, set a realistic amount per week to set aside and calculate the total of that; that way, you will know precisely what you are working towards.

The following important factor is figuring out how you can measure your progress. Whether you have fitness goals, are introducing healthier foods or are cutting back on something, logging your growth and even minor changes will inspire you to keep at it and reinforce what you are already doing.

A journal is an excellent tool for keeping yourself accountable; jot down how you feel and the small steps you take each day. Looking back on your own words as you grow during the year will indicate just how far you have come!

There are also tons of apps out there that can aid in supporting your journey; fitness trackers, habit enforcers, and health monitors are all examples of easy ways to keep you on the right path.

A big reason why New Year’s resolutions fall by the wayside so early on is that we simply set our sights too high, adding unnecessary pressures to reach specific goals that are just unrealistic. This doesn’t mean you can’t have grand aspirations by any means, but attempting to take too significant a change too soon will inevitably lead to disappointment and frustration.

The more manageable, the more effective. Intertwined with this, consider the time frame you are setting when making your resolutions.

New Year's resolutions don't all have to be done in a year; it is all about what is reasonable for you as well as the nature of your goal. Having an open-ended deadline won’t help either, so consider what is practical to keep your drive alive.

Your resolutions are your responsibility but having your friends and family members on board will be a fantastic source of support and love. Changing can sometimes be testing, so remember to be kind to yourself. Take the time to acknowledge your achievements, no matter how big or small; progress counts. Courage and inspiration will fuel your passion, and mindfulness will keep you level in moments of self-doubt.

Prioritising regular slots of time for your headspace and well-being, whether through meditation, exercise, cooking, cleaning, therapy sessions, or whatever helps guide you and keep you grounded, make sure that it is held high on your list.

Most importantly, enjoy the transformation process; there is so much to learn along the way.