For many people, a new year is motivation to view the next 12 months as a clean slate and an opportunity to set new goals. Yet resolutions aren’t always easy to keep. Here are four strategies to stay on track with yours.

Statistics reveal that more than half of all resolution makers lose sight of their goals, prompting companies to introduce incentives that may help ease anxieties tied to a commitment, regardless of how big or small a resolution might be. Such initiatives and a few key resolution guidelines can help boost motivation, keep personal and business prerogatives on track, and even add an element of lightheartedness to the workplace.

While it’s easy to write down objectives and hope for the best outcome, the reality is that even CEOs have difficulties achieving their resolutions.

In a survey conducted by USA Today, more than 500 members of a CEO panel were contacted and asked what their New Year’s resolutions would be, yet only 56 responded to the request. When survey takers attempted to follow-up with those 56 on their resolutions, just 22 responded.

So what’s the issue? Motivation is a key factor, of course. But before you begin planning, consider these four key preparation strategies and incentive ideas that can help you get the most out of your annual resolutions.

1) Be Optimistic but Realistic.
Those who believe that their self-control and willpower are unlimited are the most successful at keeping their resolutions, according to Dr. John Grohol, founder and CEO of Psych Central.

Grohol, author of The Insider’s Guide to Mental Health Resources Online, cites a research study that found people with higher self-efficacy tend to carry out their resolutions more successfully than those who have little faith in themselves. This strategy involves self-control, such as viewing a goal as attainable, provided the resolution makers feel that their willpower is dynamic, instead of restricted.

It’s also important to be realistic about potential transformations in your life. “If you don’t want to change and so only make a halfhearted resolution to do so, don’t be surprised by your amazing lack of success,” Grohol says.

2) Segment Your Goals before Pursuing Them.
Although you may find yourself with several goals in sight, it’s essential to break up the large, long-term goals, such as getting a promotion, from the smaller short-term resolutions, such as finishing a project. Then set appropriate, reasonable deadlines for each one.

For example, “Think of working on these goals for the first six months of the new year, from January to June,” LiveStrong.com suggests.

Working in segments, such as striving to reach a short-term sales goal in three months, can help alleviate stress and keep realistic goals in check — and allow you to re-evaluate resolutions, if necessary.

In addition to segmenting your goals by marking them on the calendar, consider simplifying a large-scale resolution by designating others to help accomplish it. “Break down specific actions to be taken by specific people, assigning someone in each department to be accountable and to help motivate employees,” Inc.com recommends. Kicking micromanaging habits is essential to getting others involved with a long-term resolution. Of course, choosing the right type of person to be the motivator is crucial to achieving success.

3) Be Proactive and Let Others Know.
While pinpointing and writing out a resolution is effective — because you will have a tangible reminder of your objectives — sharing your actual progress with friends, peers or an audience can instill more incentive to stick with the goal. Sharing progress encourages competition individually and with each other.

To that end, many resolution tactics might come down to more simple efforts, such as picking up the phone. The Wall Street Journal cites several successful resolution makers; in one example, a real-estate broker with a group of resolution-making friends regularly makes a five-minute phone call to someone in the group to check in on his or her resolutions.

Such a tactic can keep a resolution alive by essentially making a goal public knowledge, even if progress is only shared with a friend. Motivation behind a goal can spread, and as collaboration blog WebWorkerDaily notes, “Competition may lead to collaboration.”

For workplace-oriented goals, such as climbing the business ladder, it is critical to vocalize your goal efforts and successes with your boss. Achieving a raise or a promotion starts with taking initiative.

“Resolving to get a promotion requires your employer to take action,” Consumer Affairs says. “Resolving to keep your supervisor regularly updated on your accomplishments and joining a workplace committee are actions that you can take that will help position you for a promotion.”

4) Commit to Competitive — yet Lighthearted — Incentives.
To keep goal incentives interesting, some companies are setting the standard with friendly competitions in the workplace.

Business resolution incentives include team rewards, like the Pennsylvania-based candy company Just Born, which offered its sales team an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii if they met an annual 4 percent sales goal jump.

Unique rewards like this can add to the allure of resolutions and provide a more lighthearted approach to the entire process. For those without big budgets, smaller rewards can also be an inspiring touch.

Another successful resolution keeper cited in the Journal says she links her goals with her rewards, like buying herself a new organizer for cleaning her workspace.

Remaining too serious about certain resolutions may be a key reason why so many people lose sight of them, whether they are personal or business-related.

“Consider making only pleasant resolutions…” Psychology Today recommends. “Often having more fun in our lives makes it easier to do tough things.”

Interestingly, a recent TD Ameritrade survey reveals that 67 percent of 1,009 adults plan to have more fun this year.

Resources

The Psychology of New Year’s Resolutions
by John M Grohol
Psych Central, Dec. 28, 2008

How to Set Goals in New Year
LiveStrong.com, Dec. 19, 2009 (last updated)

Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Business Success
by Susan Ward, About.com Small Business: Canada

2009 Workplace New Year’s Resolutions
ConsumerAffairs.com, Jan. 2, 2009

What Kind of Resolve Do CEOs Have?
by Del Jones
USA Today, Jan. 5, 2010

A Cheat Sheet for Keeping Resolutions
by Sue Shellenbarger
The Wall Street Journal, Dec. 31, 2009

2011 New Year’s Resolution Survey Key Findings
TD Ameritrade, November 2010

How to Set Business Goals
by Peter Vanden Bos
Inc.com, June 29, 2010

Slow Candy Sales Mean Goodbye Hawaii, Aloha Fargo!
The Associated Press, Dec. 14, 2010

13 Tips for Sticking to Your New Year’s Resolutions
by Gretchen Rubin
Psychology Today, Dec. 16, 2010

Work Better by Seeking Out Competition
by Celine Roque
WebWorkerDaily (GigaOM), May 31, 2010