The last few days I've been contemplating on my own blog post How to Make the Best New Year's Resolutions this past week. It is hard to stay upbeat and positive when trying to determine your faults, slow down your dreams to reality, return to the struggles at work, (and deal with a sick boyfriend at home). I will say I have not done well with my own resolutions of waking up early to exercise in the new year yet and well, it has only been 7 days. So what do you do? Well, there is only one thing to do: keep starting over.

1. Forgive but don't forget
• You will keep failing if you keep holding grudges against yourself. Pick your favorite quote about not reliving the past, but make sure you don't leave the lessons learned in history too. We all make mistakes and the only way to do better next time is to fail a different way.
2. Praise and punishment
• One usually works better than the other, and if you've tried one and still failed, try the other. But regardless of whether you shower compliments or turn into a drill sergeant make sure your heart listens. Many times we stare at ourselves in the mirror and make promises that we don't believe ourselves. Trust yourself to know when to use the carrot or the stick and trust yourself to act on those threats and celebrations.
3. Play with the band
• There is no reason to go solo! It's pretty easy to find these teams too if you follow the hot trends. Talk about your resolutions with someone else - blog about it, talk to a mentor about it, tell a significant other about it, or a team of friends (new or old). Staying accountable and doing the first 2 items is easier with cheerleaders that are on the same side as you.