New Year's Eve is always a great time to reflect and more importantly, look ahead to the New Year. It’s a time to ponder changes and resolutions and how to see them through in the New Year.

Unfortunately, research tells us that although 45 percent of the population makes resolutions and 50 percent are confident that they can succeed, the fact is only 12 percent of us will be successful.

While the majority is unable to make New Year’s resolutions happen, studies show that resolutions can still be a tool for change. People who overtly make a resolution are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don’t openly make resolutions.

There is also a gender difference to consider. Males who engage in goal setting, a system where small measurable goals are used, (lose a pound a week, instead of saying "lose weight") will achieve their goal 22 percent more often than those that don’t. Females who make their goal public and find support from a peer group will achieve their goal 10 percent more often than if they keep their goals to themselves.

Did you make a resolution? How is the resolution going?  Before you abandon it, think about revising it to be more realistic. Create measurable goals and tell others what your goals are and seek their support.

If you haven’t made a resolution, you don’t need to wait until New Year’s. Resolutions can be made any day, anytime, anywhere.

Many who resolve to make changes in their life will need to revisit their resolution on a regular basis and may need to change, modify or adjust it in order to make it obtainable.

I revisit my goals the first day of each season, “winter,” “spring,” “summer,” and “fall.” The beginning of a new season reminds me to check in and ask myself a few important questions: Am I achieving my goals? What obstacles lie ahead that could prevent me from reaching and obtaining my goals? If required, I can revamp, revise and plan for success for upcoming months to stay on course.

My continuing goal is this: I am committed to routine physical activity. To maintain this goal, I was running my dog until she got arthritic. I realized I needed to make a change in my plan, so I began commuting to work by bike during fair weather and going to a small athletic club on the less-than-fair-weather days. When the athletic club closed, I made a decision to maintain my outdoor riding through fall and winter. This lasted until it got down to the 30s, and I had to come up with a plan to get me through the start of spring. So I made a trip to the used sporting goods store for equipment.

Seeing your resolutions through won’t happen unless you are willing to revisit, revaluate and recommit. If you can do that, I’d say there’s a good chance you’ll be part of that successful 12 percent!