It is that time of the year when everyone feels motivated to make themselves better and set resolutions for the new year. However, research suggests that most new year resolutions do not make it to the third week.

A week has passed by already, and many are struggling to keep their promises. Why? Because most resolutions run on a fuel called motivation that doesn't last very long.

At first, you might think, "New year, new me." You would want to become a different person, as if you were free to be anything you wanted. However, motivation is just a wrong incentive here.

Bluntly speaking, motivation is like a disloyal friend that abandons you when things get tough. A routine, on the other hand, is like a loyal friend that will stay with you in your darkest times. What you truly need is a routine, rather than just motivation. More specifically, you need a system.

Here are a few basic rules you can follow to ensure you turn your new year resolution into a system.

Set a resolution that motivates you

Set a personal goal that matters to you intimately. Because you are the one who will push yourself to get through it. Know the purpose of your resolution and start with that in mind. Most people get this very first part wrong.

Ask yourself how badly you want to change. Remember, you must want to change yourself for the right reason. It must be because you want it for yourself, and not because of someone else's opinion about you. If you set a resolution for the wrong reason, chances are very low that you are going to stick with it.

Break it down into small steps

How do you eat an elephant? Answer: one bite at a time.

Set a goal you can achieve within a year, but not longer than that. If it is, however, more of a long-term goal, consider breaking it into segments and milestones. Think on a quarterly basis, monthly, or even weekly. But do not try to think through the whole year at a time.

Instead, make a plan for the year, with smaller sections. Remember to focus on just one thing at a time. Suppose, you want to fill out a college application next year. First, try to spend a week drafting a year planner, outlining your important activities and dates.

Next, create monthly or quarterly segments to write the essays, take the aptitude tests, get references and so on. That's how you reach a goal big enough into actionable steps.

Be SMART about it 

Make sure your new year resolution is SMART, meaning it needs to be specific, measurable, achievable and relevant, with a time-bound.

If losing weight is the ultimate goal, find a way to get more specific. First, start by setting an achievable goal, such as losing 2 kg of weight or getting your waist 2 inches thinner within a month or quarter.

Now, try to make it fun by setting small challenges for yourself daily. On the first day, you could set the goal of just 1,200 steps (1 kilometre, more or less). As you go, try to beat your own record and gradually take your game up a notch. At home, volunteer to get the groceries and take a walk to the supermarket. Otherwise, consider walking back home from work.

Nowadays, you can easily measure your progress and track your step count in a smartwatch or a fitness app in your phone. This is a specific goal that you can measure and achieve. At the same time, it is relevant to your overall objective for the year. Always try to find a way to be SMART when you are setting your new year's resolution.

Maintain a streak and time-block

Maintain a streak that supports your goal. Needless to say, it is easy to get better at something if you practice a little bit of it daily.

Let's assume, for your new year's resolution, you planned to learn Spanish. Now, set a priority to take just 5 minutes of your day to learn five Spanish words — language learning app like Duolingo does just that.

It is called time blocking. Hold yourself accountable for allocating the 5 minutes from your daily schedule. However, if you miss a day or two, cut yourself some slack and get right back to it.

Review your resolution regularly

It is important that you track your progress honestly. Make changes to your plan if necessary but stick to the resolution. The mistake most people make is writing down their goals but leaving the notebook in a secluded corner of their desk and never looking it up again.

Focus on daily action you can control

As a highly effective person, you should focus on the things within your purview and let go of the rest. Dissect what is in your control.

For instance, you can make it your new year's resolution to show up to your class and take effective notes every day. That's somewhat in your control. However, if you fall sick before your test, that is not in your control.

Avoid setting a goal that is beyond what you control. Also, focus on giving your best input rather than worrying about the outcome. This way, you can set achievable new year's resolutions without draining your willpower.

Be wary of your surroundings

Lastly, be surrounded by the right people and atmosphere. Sometimes, the environment and your surroundings may hold you back. After you make up your mind that it's about time that you changed a certain aspect of your life, cut ties with old behaviour, places, or groups associated with your old self that keep you stuck.

Let's say, if your resolution is to cut down your screen time, try to keep your phone in a drawer or outside the room when you are working. As the saying goes, "Out of sight, out of mind."

Remember, Rome was not built in a day. It may just have taken a system to build Rome.