1. Don’t set a lot of resolutions.
In fact, I don’t recommend setting more than one. If you set a lot of them, you lose focus on individual resolutions, making them hard to achieve. I would focus on tackling the one thing in your life that bothers you the most and focus on a resolution that helps to fix that problem.
2. A resolution is almost always part of a longer-term pattern you want to establish - figure out what that pattern is.
If you’ve decided to invest this year as part of your resolution, it’s part of a bigger pattern. Maybe you want to reach a greater state of financial stability right now. Maybe you want to bump up your savings for retirement. Maybe you’re just going to save for a new house. Whatever it is, your immediate resolution is just a strong first step towards that bigger goal. The same goes for a health-related resolution, a personality-related resolution, or so on - you’re hoping to cause a bigger change in your life. Understand what that change really is and keep that big picture in mind even as you make little steps.
3. Give yourself a timeline within the resolution.
4. Make the resolution as specific as you can.
5. Make sure your resolution is achievable.
6. Make sure you understand the regular actions you have to take to achieve the goal.
7. Make sure there are tiny, discrete steps within your resolution.
8. Automate as much as you can.
9. Make sure to check on your progress regularly and frequently.
10. Don’t succumb to “rewarding” yourself via actions that undermine the resolution.

This list has been severely abridged. To read the full list, view the original post at it’s source:
How to Define and Stick To a Successful New Year’s Resolution, Financial or Otherwise (TheSimpleDollar)