Wiseman found that Individuals who attempted the commonly recommended approaches of focusing on the negative implications of not succeeding, removing temptation, having a role model and visualizing about being successful, tended to be counted among the unsuccessful group. "They simply don't work," he concluded.

So what do we have to do in order to ensure that our new year's resolutions are achieved?

The general consensus is that resolution success is most likely when someone makes a plan and devises a strategy to stick to it. The steps are:-

• Make sure your resolutions are your goals and not the will of others. e.g. pressure from a partner to lose weight.
• Make one or two resolutions, to ensure you channel your energy into their attainment.
• Make resolutions well in advance of the new year to gather your focus.
• Plan your strategy by breaking it down into small, achievable "chunks". e.g. If your resolution is to get fit, start by buying yourself new training shoes.
• Do not to lose sight of what you're trying to achieve. Write it down and place it in a highly visible location e.g. placing it  on fridge door.
• Make it measureable, achievable and time bound; ensuring that it is not to vague or unrealistic. For instance, don't say you'll lose half a stone in a week. Success is unlikely. However, you might achieve it over a period of weeks or even months.
• Share your goals with friends and family to receive their support.
• Track your progress through a journal, spreadsheet or via a notice board.
• Give yourself small rewards as you see results during the process.
• Don't give up after a temporary setback. Expect small failures from time to time and accept them.