It’s easy to say that you want to do something, but it’s another thing to get up, go out and do it. So many people make New Year’s resolutions at the start of the year to change something about themselves. It is the simplest resolutions that can be the hardest ones to keep.

It’s easy to say that you want to start working out more or that you want to have a different outlook or attitude, but you have to be honest with yourself.  If you’ve tried working out before but could never find the time or you think you can change your attitude from a way it’s always been, then it’s not likely that you’re going to keep up a successful resolution. It’s best to have a plan. Instead of making a resolution you don’t think you can keep, you should give yourself a project.

Starting a New Year’s project can put things into a different perspective. When you look at it as a project, you can change “I want to make better grades” into “I will make better grades.” It’s as simple as making a set of goals for yourself and it will give you something to work towards.

For example, this year my goal is to get better at photography, so I started a 365 New Year’s project on my Tumblr.com account. Each day of the year, I’ll be uploading one picture of myself or of something that relates to me. My hope is that it will encourage me to carry a camera on me more often, that I’ll get better at composing and selecting material to photograph and that I will learn a few things about myself as well.

There are all kinds of other projects out there that you can start on. If you’re looking for something creative, a new popular outlet is the Pinterest blog. You can find a mass of inspiration, do-it-yourself projects and recipies for those with culinary inclinations. It could be a good way to start a plan of eating better foods because you can usually find a healthier version of your favorite, but not-so-good-for-you dishes. It’s also a great resource for anyone looking to do more around the house.

If you want to make better grades or get to work out more often, you can’t just say it and hope to will yourself into doing it. You have to make a schedule and dedicate time to it. Find a creative way to approach your goal. Find someone with a similar resolution and ask them how they plan to go about it. If they don’t have an idea either than it could be good to work together to figure something out. Without a plan, a New Year’s resolution is nothing more than just a statement.