On January 1, everyone seems to have an idea of how they want their new year to look, from healthier habits to learning new skills. Honestly speaking, we have all made resolutions that we have quickly broken. It is hard to not slip back into the same routine we had before the new year that make keeping those resolutions very difficult.

If you want 2020 to be the year you actually maintain your New Year’s resolutions, you need to learn some strategies to hold yourself accountable. Follow these tips to help achieve your goals for this year.

1. Keep your resolutions simple.

Some people tend to set unrealistic resolutions that aim to change their entire lifestyle — that is a recipe for guilt and disappointment. When self-improvement is your main goal, these things cannot be changed all at once. The best approach is to focus on one or two of your most important goals.

2. Put yourself in charge.

These resolutions are under your control — other people can advise and support you, but it is your actions that will lead to the change that will be done. Having that sense of control will help you maintain your resolutions for this year. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you, instead of people who are going to try and control your decisions relating to the resolution.

3. Be realistic.

Do not aim too high and ignore reality — consider your previous experiences with resolutions. What led to it failing? Usually, it failed because an unrealistic goal was set. Remember that there will always be more opportunities to start on the next phase, so set goals that are actually possible to achieve. However, if you do not want to hold back, then set clear short-term goals on your way to a big achievement.

4. Create bite-sized portions.

Break your goals down into manageable chunks. This is probably the most important step for actually maintaining your resolutions. To do so, create checkpoints during the year to see how far you have come. This also makes resolutions less overwhelming and there is a greater chance you will not give up on them.

5. Treat yourself.

In the wise words of Tom Haverford from Parks and Recreation, “Treat yo self!” One of the most vital features of maintaining your resolutions is rewarding yourself after the hard work you have done. However, treating yourself and overdoing it are two different things, so be cautious of the temptations of overindulgence.