The most common ways to mess up your New Year's resolution

I always envy those people who make a really big resolution on New Year's, like losing 30 pounds or quitting smoking, and then actually do it! I've been successful a few times over the years, but I've actually taken to making a couple resolutions now -- one easy one (like writing more "thank you" notes) and then a hard one I half expect to give up on before then end of January, like anything to do with weight-loss or fitness.

Here's a detailed list of basic things that people often do to jinx their resolution ambitions, but the basics are: having unrealistic expectations, not having a "plan of attack," having too many resolutions/getting too complicated, not having goals or guidelines for yourself, and getting discouraged too easily if it doesn't happen for you right away.

So keep it simple, make a plan, and don't give up!