I believe setting goals is important. It can help improve your life and keep you moving forward instead of backsliding or standing still.

However, New Year’s resolutions aren’t for everyone. Some of us enjoy being free spirits and fear such major planning will cramp our style. Others may not be willing to risk failure.

Sometimes it’s just the terminology we resist. How should we make resolutions? Should we write them down? Do we share them with our friends or keep them secret like a birthday wish?

People often scoff at others for making resolutions and many self-help gurus view making resolutions as a recipe for disappointment.

It’s possible to make positive changes and accomplish goals without adhering to a rigid list of written resolutions.

Take a moment and image the kind of people you want in your life. Think about yourself and see if you would qualify. What are your most admirable qualities… shortcomings? How do you become the type of person you want in your life?

Think about this every morning when you first wake up and every night before you fall asleep. Move through your days being that person and soon your actions will become habits.

Always remember these wise words from Anne Frank:

“The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!”