Brand new you! Your New Year's resolution is to tackle last year's resolutions? We've got the solutions!

The first of January is closing in like the zipper on your tightest jeans, and you've come up with the perfect New Year's resolutions. Unfortunately for you (and practically everybody else on the planet), your success rate has in the past been ... pretty darn shabby.

So why is it you can get all jazzed to make big changes and then so quickly lose interest? Impatience and discouragement. We live in a world where everything moves faster than the speed of lightning, so if you don't see the benefits of your resolutions by yesterday, you're so over it! So how can you make your resolutions stick?

Get real! Is what you're resolving to do reasonable and attainable? Instead of, "I will save up every penny of my allowance," go for, "I will put half of my money in a savings account." That is much more do-able than parting with all of your cash. Also, a lot of people get giddy on New Year's Eve and resolve to change absolutely everything they don't like in their lives. Instead, choose only a few reasonable resolutions you're totally psyched about.

When they are truly your own resolutions--not those made just to please the 'rents or to look cool--you'll have the passion to make them happen! Plus, remember that change is a process. If you resolve to lose five pounds or make new friends, it's not going to happen overnight. Patience, girl friend.

Be especially specific If resolutions are vague, like, "Make a difference in the world," you won't be as likely to succeed. Get specific about that goal. Underneath your "big" resolution, write something like, "Help out at the soup kitchen," or, "Organize a book drive for Iraqi kids." Then you will make a difference!

Think of each sub-category as a baby step. Say you have, "Be more organized" as a resolution. What exactly is it that you want to organize? Your locker, room, drawers, closet? Write each down as a baby step. Then tackle those babies one at a time.

Put pen to paper Neatly write your resolutions on a single piece of paper. Keep it in your journal, tape it inside your locker, or paste it in your binder. You'll constantly be reminded of your goals. This will not only help reinforce your resolutions, but it will remind you that you are totally committed to them.

Excusez-moi When asking yourself to do something that requires effort, it's amazing what wild excuses your mind can conjure up for not getting around to doing them. That's human nature. But remember--these are changes you want to make. If you blow them off, you'll only be hurting li'l ol' you.

Say you want to get all A's and B's this year and think, "I'm too busy to hit the books today." Remind yourself that you're sabotaging something you chose to do. Make a non-negotiable pact with yourself to do what you planned on doing---and stick to it like glue.

Oops! I did it again Even if you're totally determined to keep your resolutions, you still might occasionally slip up and get distracted. When you feel like quittin', try recommitin'!

A great way to make sure you stick to your resolutions is to tell your BFF or a trusted friend about your plans. Making your intentions public will not only guilt and humiliate you into doing it (OK, pathetic but true!), but you can count on your bud to cheer you on whenever you run out of steam.

A round of applause After you achieve each step along the way to your final resolution, be sure to celebrate--or at least give yourself major snaps! Rewards will help motivate you to stay on course. Why? Because success breeds success. And you'll be amazed at how proud you feel by year's end.

Oh, yeah, and that would be just in the nick of time to write your next list of resolutions. Sigh.