WE make 'em and we almost certainly break 'em, but resolutions are as much a part of New Year as party poppers and Jools Holland on the box.

And despite statistics telling us that nine out of 10 of us will have broken our New Year resolution by February, that doesn't stop more than 70 per cent of us making them every year.

Top resolutions are vowing to give up smoking, sort out finances, stop eating chocolate and to join a gym.

But I wonder how many unused gym memberships, retrieved ashtrays and chocolate wrappers will be knocking around this time next month?

A new year seems to bring out a desire for a fresh start in many of us - along with promises to be better than last year.

But why are resolutions so hard to keep?

Top life coach Matt Caulfield reckons many of us fall into the trap of going over-the-top in the first week, then giving up because it's too much like hard work.

"If you make a tiny change in the way you live your life and extrapolate that over a long period of time, you'll be surprised what a big difference it can make," he said.

"And try to be specific. Most women generally have an aim in mind, like dropping a dress size, that could be achieved more easily by setting some specific goals to get there."

Matt's top tips for success are:

  • Get a friend involved to keep you motivated
  • Tell everyone, so you'll be embarrassed to give up too easily
  • Be realistic when setting your goal, and concentrate on the positive.

"Even before you start, imagine just how you will feel when you complete your resolution," said Matt.

"See it, hear it, smell it and taste it.

"Every time you feel like you don't want to carry on, conjure up those thoughts in your head and it will help you push on.

"The word 'don't' is evil. If you are told not to do something, that's the thing you want to do most in the world.

"If you want to stop smoking, work out why you want to and incorporate the answers into your resolution.

"What is it you want? To be richer, fitter and healthier?

"Then focus on that result and not what you've given up."