I only started making New Year resolutions a few years ago and I've kept every one. I think the key is to be very specific and choose things you're really ready to let go of or improvements you want to make. It's also a good idea to say a special new year prayer on Dec.31, releasing all the hurts, resentments etc. of the year, giving thanks fo all the blessings, joys, successes, and even the difficulties and challenges. Ask that you may benefit from them and learn whatever lessons you need for the rest of your life. You can do this even if you're not religious.
Another way to ensure the new year is better than the last one is to say affirmations as well as make resolutions. Affirmations are statements of being that you make about yourself . The mind is very powerful and absorbs the messages you feed it each day. If you feed in negative beliefs, your life-patterns will follow suit; if you absorb positive thoughts, your life will improve just by the act of saying `Every day of my life is wonderful, for example.' You start to make it happen. Try it. It does work.

 They are made to be broken.....

 I agree with alva.although i make them every year,i break them...................eventually :)

 New Years Resolutions are a very good thing but it is dependant on the person to make them work. I have seen some people keep a book, similar to a diary, that each year December they begin to write down their resolutions and things they would like to accomplish in the next year. He actually keeps about 90% of the resolutions and accomplishments.

Myself, I do not make resolutions on new years as I know that I will most likely not meet them. Instead, I put some goals on myself of things I want to accomplish through the year. Each time I meet one of these goals, I put another one out there. It is a sense of accomplishment that makes me feel good and the process of adding a new goal is lengthy.

 Many years ago I made a resolution to stop making New Year Resolutions. It is the one resolution I have had no trouble sticking to.

 They are just dreams that never come true lol.