How many of you just made some New Year's Resolutions? Resolutions are changes that you want to make to your life. Yet, if you're like most people, you know from experience that it's hard to change.

The chart above explains why this is so. To change anything, we need more than just a goal or a vision, we need the capacity to make the change, the desire, the resources, and the plan.

Vision - Let's take a common resolution as an example: "I'm going to lose 20 pounds in 2017."

Capacity - Awesome! But, if you have a hypothyroid condition, you may not have the same capacity to lose weight that normal people have. You may just end up being anxious about hitting the wall just like you did last time you set some weight-loss goals.

Will-power - You maybe you just lack the will. You get three days into the new year and find yourself wanting to finish off the Christmas cookies.

Resources - You may need to eat more vegetables, but live in a part of the world where they aren't available.

Plan - Everything else may be there, but without a plan the result - failure - will be the same. 

I've found the above chart to be helpful in mapping out change. Let me encourage you to make a resolution, seeing it with the eyes of faith. Then ask if you've got each of these change agents before committing to your resolution.

The status quo in Latin means "the mess we're in." Past doesn't have to be prologue. Are there parts of your life that aren't working for you? Why not take a fresh look at the resolutions you need to make and give yourself a fighting chance to make them a reality.