Studies show that 75% of New Year's resolutions are broken within 3 months; the majority of which have become a distant memory in a few months.

If you are reading this article, chances are, you are not one of the 25% who are actively moving towards a set goal. As the New Year rolled in, you spent countless moments envisioning yourself 30 pounds lighter, walking across the graduation stage, or starting the business of your dreams. You were consumed with thoughts of celebrating your successes and had crafted a media campaign to let the world know.

Well, what happened?

You miraculously morphed into your old self again, and now find that you are teetering on the cusp of prolonged mediocrity.

There is, however, light at the end of your ever-revolving cycle of unfulfilled dreams and lost potential.

These 10 easy steps provide a roadmap to begin your journey of success and will turn your New Year's Resolutions into achievable goals:

1. Get organized.
This goes beyond cleaning the clutter from your garage. Successful people are organized in multiple aspects of their lives (personal space, finances, workspace, and mental capacities, to name a few areas). Set aside time daily to organize your life.

2. Join a professional or community organization.
Get back in the game of life and make a difference in your local community. Take a "time-out" to further develop your skills and knowledge in your chosen interest. There is magic in helping others and learning in the process.

3. Plan a summer vacation.
Really plan a summer vacation. Take more than a weekend away from your routine life to regenerate your spirit of self and the world around you. Even if you travel a short distance from home, use this time to redirect your outlook on your career, your family, and your spirit.

4. Save 10% of your income.
Whether you are planning to purchase a home, or must make an emergency repair on your car, you must have money saved to offset financial burdens. So often we are not prepared financially for situations that arise, which ultimately throw our lives into a tailspin. If you save now, you position yourself to remain in control of life's unplanned events.
Tip: Open a savings account at a credit union, and directly deposit 10% of your income each pay period. Do not request a debit card for this savings account. Restricted hours of most credit unions make it difficult to readily access these funds.

5. Update your resume.
Are you prepared for your next career opportunity? What happens if you meet someone who immediately requests your resume or work history? Take this opportunity to update and fine tune your resume and cover letter. This document should always remain ready to be emailed or presented. Creating a professional resume takes time and thought. Develop yours now, so you're ready when opportunity knocks.

6. Reconnect.
Resolve this year to call an old friend, former colleagues, or distant relatives you haven't spoken to in years. When you reconnect, you strengthen bonds and will immediately feel lifted after sharing a hearty laugh about a past event.
Tip: Social networking has made reconnecting easier. Join Facebook. It's amazing how many old friends you'll find.

7. Say "No!"
With only two letters, "no" is the most powerful word in the English language. Unfortunately, it is not used often enough. This has to be the year that you to focus on what matters most to you. It is easy to become inundated with tasks from others - without ever focusing on your goals. Stand up and find the courage to say "no." As the old adage says, "You can't be everything to everyone."

8. Renew your spirit.
When was the last time you paused to enjoy a quiet moment? Those quiet moments lead to reflection and offer up an opportunity to give thanks. Renew your spirit by starting a journal or pick up a daily devotional. Seize every opportunity to pray and live life in a continuous state of gratefulness.

9. Commit to exercising.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends healthy adults should exercise 30 minutes a day, 5 days each week. If you don't fall in the category of a healthy adult, then your exercise should be increased to 60 minutes each day. In addition to the obvious health benefits from exercising daily, it also boosts your energy level and promotes better sleep.

Tip: Remember to keep hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water of a day. Proper hydration decreases the appetite and increases alertness.

10. Set a SMART goal.
If you are not working towards completing goals that are meaningful and beneficial to the improvement of your life, your life will be incomplete and possess a void in the dash between your birth and death dates. When setting goals, they should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Set at least one meaningful goal and develop a strategic action plan that plots the steps you will take to complete the goal.

© Copyright 2010 Adrian Freeman

Adrian Freeman is a motivational speaker and success coach. Using a series of strategic goals, meaningful actions, and accountability, Adrian's approach has proven successful for those he's mentored either individually or as a group. Adrian's idea of success is seeing others achieve their greatest potential. For speaking engagements or to request additional articles, visit http://adrianspeaks.com.