Growing up it seemed to me that everyone made New Year’s resolutions. Once Christmas was out of the way all talk resorted to this topic — What are your New Year’s resolutions? I don’t recall ever making a single one. In my teens and early 20s I made a lot of New Year’s wishes. I thought these were resolutions. I suppose in the aftermath of unfulfilled Christmas gift expectations I was hoping beyond hope for things I felt I should have. Things like — ‘I will get a nice boyfriend’.

Today I hear less and less about New Year’s resolutions. It seems to me that fewer people bother with them. Most people I speak with announce with pride that they find them simply a waste of time and energy. “I never make those!” has been the overwhelming response in an air of disdain.

Over the years I’ve read articles warning readers not to make resolutions.

The idea was that you were setting yourself up for failure and disappointment.

I thought that was harsh and that perhaps the better thing to do was to set reasonable goals.

Naomi Schroter a certified professional coach agreed.

The New Year marks a new beginning and although we are free to change our lives at any point, this provides an easy reference point.

It also, just by virtue of its nature, beckons you to look for a chance to improve.

Mrs. Schroter said it is best to have the desired effect in mind before making a goal.

For example if you say you want to lose ten pounds — you should ask yourself why?

How will it benefit you? Will it have any real impact? In doing this you may discover that you feel by losing ten pounds you will get promoted at work.

If this is your desired end, it may be better to try a different course of action.

If you want to be healthier and less prone to diabetes, then losing ten pounds could be a good start.

Mrs. Schroter’s guidelines for resolutions are as follows:

1. Set smart goals — The goal should be as specific as possible and achievable. You should be realistic on how it will impact you.

2. Make sure it is measurable — Give yourself a deadline by which you will have achieved the goal.

3. Get a success partner — Whether it’s a close friend or partner, fitness instructor or personal coach, have someone who will act as your cheerleader, encouraging you and celebrating with you.

4. Have a plan — Depending on the complexity of your goal you may need to detail a plan on how you will achieve it.

5. Reward yourself along the way — At every success or key successes along the way to your goal, reward yourself with something that is meaningful to you.

6. Keep focused and positive — Stay clear of negativity but be mindful that what may seem negative may be constructive criticism. This can be quite difficult to recognise. Asking your success partner their view may help give you some objectivity.

In my teenage scenario, following Mrs. Schroter’s guidelines would have landed me in a veritable soap opera. So I wanted a nice boyfriend. This was my desired end result.

1. Could this be a smart goal? I could make it more specific. I could determine exactly whom I wanted as my boyfriend. Is that achievable? I could try. How would it impact me? I’d be happy, I suppose.

2. Measuring this. Either I’d have boyfriend or not. I’d give myself a month.

3. Get a success partner. I’d rope in the help of my best girlfriend.

4. Have a plan. Well clearly the most responsible and sane approach here is to simply arrange opportunities to talk and interact with the boy.

5. Reward yourself along the way. This is appropriate for loftier goals.

6. Keep focused and positive. But don’t be a dolt. If he’s not interested abort the pursuit.

Long away from the longings for a nice boyfriend, New Year’s resolutions are simply life goals.

Dr. Cuda Sarathchandra, Chief Psychiatrist at the Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute, said in his personal view, there’s nothing wrong with making them.

“We do tell all our patients not to make any life changes over the holiday period,” he said.

But he added that this is in an effort to help them maintain stability.

He said the holidays are hectic and can be emotionally charged but added that the New Year as “the dawn of another time” may motivate some people to improve.

“Equally I find people just as successful at implementing change at other times.

“I would say go for it,” he said. “Make an effort. That’s a good start.”

For those serious about making life changes or reaching specific goals, Mrs. Schroter said a personal coach is one of the best ways to succeed. She said lack of motivation is the number one reason many people fail to reach their goals.

“Most people don’t keep their resolutions because the payoff isn’t big enough to motivate them,” he said.

“This is why it is important to have the end in view when making the goal.

“Professional coaches offer objective, non-judgmental support and hold you accountable.

“We encourage you and help you celebrate even the smallest successes,” she said.

“It is a very humane collaborative effort and if you look at all the top athletes — they all have professional coaches.

“You can do it by yourself but it may take longer. Most successful people have had a mentor or role model that acted as a coach.

“We say — Coaches help ordinary people become extraordinary.”