It can seem like New Year’s resolutions are made just to be broken. And sure, you always had good intentions. But about midway through January, it seems like you always forget about your resolution. Or maybe you even turn your back and act like the resolution never existed. But just yesterday, you said you’d achieve your goals tomorrow. Or maybe last month, you said next month. Or even last year, you said next year. Well guess what? Tomorrow’s coming and the New Year is on its way. It’s time to make your big idea a reality. So stop dreaming, and start doing. Here’s how.

Make it Count
You still have time before the New Year to perfect your plans. Giving back is one of the best feelings around, so why not make a plan that can somehow help others? Think about some of the talents that you possess, and some of the things that you’re passionate about. If you need to enlist the help of someone else, the beginning phases of your plans are the time to ask for it. After you’ve evaluated what you’re good at, you’ll know what you can do best and what you might need to work on. Then, it’s time to put your plans into action.

Seek Motivation
Often times, making a plan isn’t the problem. But keeping it and making it happen is another story. And it can be easy to slack off if you don’t let anyone in on your resolutions. Find somebody that you trust to tell them about your plans. Since someone else knows, you should feel obligated to keep up on your goals. They can check in with you and make sure that you’re on track to helping others and making your ideas count.

Set Deadlines
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and although your goals might not be as lofty as building an entire city, that doesn’t make them any less important. And just like you’ve set your goals, you need to set a timeline to complete them. Start out with small deadlines, such as making an outline of your plans. Then it’s time to start thinking bigger. Try to assess realistic deadlines so that you don’t have to break them in the future. The more deadlines you set and achieve, the better you’ll feel about your resolution.