New Years Resolutions don’t work because there’s no support system in place: Here’s how to succeed if you want

New Year, New You can be done anytime but no one wants to talk about that.

New Years Resolutions don’t work because only you hold yourself accountable. It’s just another day in your life. Soon you realize January 1st is as arbitrary as August 19th. If you weren’t goal focused then, why now?

But, you still want to improve. Ok. Here’s what to do, any day of the year.

• Tell friends your goals. In a month, when they laugh at you for not doing it, prove them wrong. Or agree and say that was dumb.
• Tell your mom to remind you to do that thing. Example: Your mom walks in your room and says, ‘I thought you were going to the gym.’ This will motivate you to go, or tell your mom to leave you alone.
• Write reminder notes on the mirror. You will look at this and eventually do it, or be reminded that you’re a failure.
• Talk to your grandpa. Hear how easy it was for him to do something, like buy a house. This will motivate you to finally apply for that loan, or realize that specific goal of home ownership will never happen.
• Tell the coach to keep on you. The coach will oblige and yell at you to keep going and say you can do it. This will force you to work out harder — or quit.
• Tell your significant other a dream or goal. When they gently ask how it’s going, you can be grateful for them caring — or break up with them.
• Listen to audiobooks. Will the self-help books be fruitful for your goals? You can always just put on a different book — or music.
• Listening to music also motivates. Daydream as you listen. Envision the goals. If the goals don’t happen by the end of the song or album, listen again. Or listen to a different album, get in a different mood, and possibly let go of the idea you had to improve your life.
• Join a group. Get to be as good as them. Or you might get discouraged you’re not as good as them right away. Be motivated to get better among your new peers, or silently exit the group, and get off the email list.
• Keep a journal. Write down goals. If you write down your feelings, you may soon see that’s enough, and working on the goal you were going to work on won’t make you happy. Neither may the writing, but you’ll have things more sorted out.

There’s more than one way to achieve a goal, and/or improve yourself. Don’t whenever you’re ready. You don’t need New Years. You need you.