Why do people make New Year's resolutions that they seldom keep? And what are yours for this year?

Making resolutions is fun. Mine never change: be nicer to everyone and to lose weight. Very general but very hard to do. Wish me luck!!

Many people set themselves up from the start to not succeed by using improper New Year's resolution method or approach that doesn't work. If you have a resolution that is a technical goal like developing a skill and have access to the information you can learn it and succeed because you can go at it in much more behavioral, sequential, and logical level. On the other hand, an adaptive goal requires a change in your behavior and thinking pattern by creating neural pathways and memories including your belief system and the feelings that go with it. So using the New Year's resolution method or approach, the best goals that work are the ones that are technical for you and then it's a matter of sustaining the change.

Free advice from Quirklology: Hints for achieving New Year’s Resolutions

Make Only One Resolution – Many often people make the mistake of trying to achieve too much. The chances of success are greater when people channel their energy into changing just one aspect of their behaviour.

Plan ahead - Don't wait until New Year's Eve to think about your resolution. Last minute decisions tend to be based on what is on your mind at that time. Instead, take some time out a few days before and reflect upon what you really want to achieve.

Avoid previous resolutions – Deciding to re-visit a past resolution sets you up for frustration and disappointment. Choose something new, or approach an old problem in a new way. For example, instead of trying to lose 2 stone in weight, try exercising more.

Be specific – Think through exactly what you are going to do, where you are going to do it, and at what time. Vague plans fail. For example, instead of saying that you will go running two days of the week, tell yourself that you will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm. Make it personal - Don’t run with the crowd and go with the usual resolutions. Instead think about what you really want out of life, so think about finishing that novel, or learning to play an instrument, rather than just losing weight and getting to the gym.

Mine is:"every time when someone compliments my chopsticks skills, return the favor by complimenting his/her spoon skills.."