Making a New Year's resolution can be intimidating for those who are not ready to take the necessary steps to make changes. If you have a game plan, you are more likely to approach the new year with anticipation instead of dread. "Action precedes motivation, not the other way around," says Dr. Hinda Dubin, a psychiatrist at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Do not wait for the ball to drop to decide your plans. Test the changes you need to make at least a month before New Year's to motivate yourself.

Find goal buddies one to two months before New Year's. Call your friends and see who would like to work together for the upcoming month to achieve a common goal. Positive reinforcement from another person can motivate you to work harder. Also, making a commitment will bind you to helping that person achieve his goal as well as yours.

Cheat. Get started early on your goals. For example, if you want to lose 70 pounds in the new year, start slowly. In December, make a goal to lose 2 pounds a week. If you stick to your exercise routine and healthy eating, you will see results by New Year's. This small victory will give you the confidence to continue your goal, according to Dr. Jill RachBeisel, director of Community Psychiatry at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Kick your bad habit for one month leading up to New Year's. If you want to quit smoking, do not vow that your last cigarette will be at 11:59 on New Year's Eve. Go cold turkey for the month of December. If you need to, use the patch or nicotine gum for assistance. Once New Year's arrives, congratulate yourself on being able to practice self-control. Reduce your daily smoking amount from what it used to be. Because you were able to quit for one month, only smoke after main meals. As the months go by, cut down more.

Be kind to yourself. Making threats in order to get yourself in gear will not work. You have to build yourself up to move forward in life. Allow yourself to make mistakes and grow from them. When thinking about New Year's, think about your goals. Be realistic and try to inspire yourself everyday for a month leading up the New Year's through affirmations, meditation and positive thinking.

Create cause-and-effect lists for your goals. Do not simply state goals and what you will do to accomplish them. Write down what you will gain from reaching your goals. Explain how your life will change so you can get perspective and gain motivation. For example, if you start running three times a week, you will get in shape, develop stronger legs and calves, lose weight, be energized for the day and feel proactive about your health.