Want to lose weight? Learn a new language? Keep a cleaner house? Write a novel?

What is your New Year's Resolution?

The easy part is deciding. The hard part is following through.

And let's be honest, we're not experts at keeping resolutions either. Last year our staff made lots of resolutions. The easiest, or so we thought: one writer vowed to move the Elf on the Shelf every night during December. The result?

Elf:2  Staff writer: 0

No goal, no matter how small, is as easy as we think.

So, in an effort to help you and ourselves keep those resolutions this year, we've spanned the internet to find the best advice for keeping those promises to ourselves. We've listed the top five and included the link to the resources so you can prepare to do your best this year in keeping those resolutions!

1. Make one resolution at a time. Experts say composing a list of goals never work because of the amount of willpower and behavior changes that come with each resolution. Read the full article here: http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/10-ways-to-make-your-new-years-resolutions-stick

2. Be specific. Don't resolve to exercise more. Instead, resolve to take a spinning class Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Read the full article here: http://www.bankrate.com/finance/personal-finance/9-ways-to-keep-your-new-year-s-resolutions-1.aspx

3. Make your goals known. Join a support group, talk about it with your spouse or friends. The more support and cheerleaders you have, the better you will do. Read the full article here: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/resolution.aspx

4. Don't rely on willpower. It doesn't work. Instead, document your efforts. Keep a journal. Celebrate when you reach smaller goals that build to your large goal. Read the full article here: http://www.sciencealert.com/how-to-keep-your-new-year-s-resolutions-according-to-science

5. Be kind to yourself. You will fail. You may take that extra piece of chocolate. Or skip the gym one day. Or throw your hands up in frustration. That is ok. Your entire plan is not destroyed. You are simply, human. Start again tomorrow. Read the full article here: http://time.com/4151909/new-year-2016-resolutions/

 Good luck and Happy New Year!