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Eating right, exercising more, helping others, working harder and saving money all have something in common. They’ve all been someone’s New Year’s resolutions at some point – perhaps yours, definitely mine.

Not to be pessimistic but, given it’s now the second month of 2008, only half of us probably continue to maintain the resolve we promised to stand true to on Jan. 1. Statistics show that 50 percent of the people who make a New Year’s resolution have abandoned it by the end of January and up to 90 percent by the end of the first quarter. Figures like these make you just want to give up on the whole idea – or perhaps set New Year’s resolutions that are easier to stick to. (Eat more chocolate, buy more shoes, exercise less, you get the idea.)

Nevertheless, there’s no doubt in my mind that making a New Year’s resolution (and sticking to it) is critical for more than just our own self-improvement.

Imagine the cumulative impact we can make as a society or as a community if each of us vows to do something better in our own lives or in the lives of others, and then actually follows through. The collective effect could be monumental.

So I urge you to pick one goal and take it to the end. All of us will be thankful you did.

In my own quest for self-improvement, I “Googled” and came across the following ideas to successfully nudge me toward my goals:

Put it in writing. Writing down your goals gives you a better chance of success.

Commit. Move beyond the land of “good idea” to the land of true “commitment.”

Tell people. Let your biggest fans in on your new commitment and goals for the year.

Get some support. Meet once a month with a group that will ask you, “So, how’s it going with your goal?”

Make a plan. Start with the end vision of where you want to be and work backward to where you are today.

Understand why you made the resolution in the first place and make sure you can answer “yes” to these questions: Am I the primary reason for setting this goal (not my mother, boyfriend, wife, boss, society)? Do I feel energized by this goal?

Get real. If you’re contemplating a goal that you always set and never achieve, take a second look.

Focus with reminders. Once you have your goals and plan in place, figure out ways to remind yourself.

Believe and visualize. Imagine yourself on New Year’s Eve with all your goals achieved. How would it feel?

Have fun and celebrate small wins by rewarding yourself along the way. Perhaps there is room for those shoes and chocolates in your New Year’s resolutions after all.

At first glance, you might be wondering where the silver bullet is. There’s nothing magical about that concept; the value in it is realized only after you go through the steps.

As we forge forward into 2008, let’s vow to take action and not let those resolutions fizzle out. Take them beyond January, beyond June, and all the way to success, however you choose to measure it.

Mashal Husain is director of strategic development, health division, at Principal Financial Group Inc.