New Year’s Resolutions can be such a drag. Every year, one vows to “eat healthy, get fit, get organised, be a better person, etc.” — but very few are able to stick it out. Many also struggle to remember how much they achieved in the past year and focus instead on what they didn’t accomplish. The key to really bringing positive change into your life is to first remember all the good things that have happened and are present in your world. Then, from that place of confidence and knowledge, effectively plan 2013.

So, it may be February and you are feeling bored and despondent. Perhaps you never did quite make it to the gym like you planned? Or, maybe Valentine’s Day is coming up and you are feeling lonely. Instead of being depressed, try these tried and true tricks to rev up your mojo.

Remember how awesome the past year really was:

Believe it or not, there were plenty of great things that happened last year and making it a point to sit down and write them down is actually quite an enlightening experience.

You can accomplish this in many ways, such as making a list of all the happy times or best memories in your personal and professional life.

Our office did this and it was astonishing how many things we had to be grateful for. Since it was a collective discussion, hearing each other’s milestones and successes strengthened company spirit and, in fact, amplified our individual achievements. Even going through things that could have been better only helped us understand our strengths and weaknesses.

Another way to recall favourite moments is to do a vision board. I did one of these for my own life and was amazed at just how much joy I experienced in 2012 and seeing a picture of the moments put together filled me with even more happiness and fuelled my excitement for 2013.

Be grateful for the past and present:

In addition to remembering the happiness, it’s important to be grateful for it. Whether you say a shukhrana namaz or simply feel gratitude in your heart, don’t take the year for granted. Even the toughest moments actually honed and shaped you into who you are today, even if it was impossible to see at the time.

One of the most effective ways to bring about positive energy and change into your life is to keep a Gratitude Journal. Every night before going to bed, write down five things you are grateful for. They can be as simple as the sun rising, the eyes you have to see things with, someone you love, your work, chocolate, well anything you want. Be detailed, sincere and focus on people to whom you are grateful rather than things. You can also reflect on what your life would be without certain blessings as well as record surprise boons as they tend to elicit enhanced levels of appreciation. Results — increased joy and good luck — should be evident in as little as 21 days! Gratitude Journals can be addictive and become a meaningful lifelong practice.

Let it go:

Once you have analysed and remembered the past year, it is time to let it go. Release the year from your life and know that you never have to experience it again. The releasing part is critical because it allows you to move on and not look back. If you can, forgive the people and life experiences that hurt you and thank even the bad experiences for making you who you are.

Welcome 2013:

Just like you would welcome a guest into your home, welcome the New Year with open arms and joyous outlook.

Plan the year — actionable goals:

Now that you are feeling excited about the New Year, start planning! Begin by listing your dream year. Whether it is to have coffee with Madonna or fly in a private jet, there should be no apologies for dreams. Dream away and from that magical list begin to hone and decide what really matters and what you truly want and create a list of actionable goals. That means goals that can be achieved through planning, deadlines and resourcefulness.

Add deadlines:

The best way to create reality from dreams is to set goals. Yes, a timeline with milestones along the way. Studies provide empirical evidence for the effectiveness of three coaching tools: accountability, commitment and writing down one’s goals. According to a study at Dominican University, writing one’s goal enhances goal achievement.

Once you have done all that, the year is yours and next year you can make different, more exciting resolutions, rather than regurgitating the same ones.