After all the heady Christmas celebrations, you may think it's time to get a head start on the new year and plan your New Year's Resolutions.

The idea of a New Year resolution is believed to have started in Babylon. One wonders if like us, less than 10% of Babylonians achieved their goals.

How can you be part of the 10% that makes it? Here are some time tested steps to help you be one of the top ten percenters.

1. Write down your goals. The simple action of writing starts the process of moving them from wishes and ideas to reality. You do not need to write down the details at this time. Just precisely write down the things you wish to accomplish in 2007. Just one or two sentences per goal is sufficient.

2. Visualize it. Top athletes do this as part of their training ritual to maintain peak performance and you can too. Imagine with intensity, don't just see the picture of the goal being achieved. Try intensifying the picture, brighten up the colors and contrast, imagine the sounds and smells of achieving your New year's resolution, see your friends and family cheering you on. Imagine how it would feel, sense the pride and confidence as if you've already accomplished the goal.

3. Plan it out. Now after you've imagined how great it feels to finish your 2007 goals, write down a detailed plan on getting there. Work backwards by starting with the end result of where you want to be and working backwards to where you are today. Try writing it down as quickly as you can and organize it later. Mind mapping is a great way to get your thoughts down fast and see relationships. Simply get a blank piece of paper and start writing every action you need to do to finish the goal. They do not have to be in order at this time. There is mind mapping software available for purchase if you like but is not necessary. After doing your data dump on the mind map you can fine tune it by adding or deleting actions and making new relationships between items. You can either keep the map as is or use it to make an outline in a word processor.

4. Tell the world. Put some pressure on yourself by making your new year's resolutions public. Tell your family, tell your friends, tell your coworkers what you are committed to accomplish by the end of 2007. Chances are they will share their own commitments with you. Ask a friend or family member to help you stick to it and do the same to assist your friend's own resolutions. It's always easier to have support than going at it alone.

5. Reason for Achievement. Write down as many reasons as you can on why you wish to accomplish this goal. What are all the positive benefits of reaching this goal? Is it pride and stronger self esteem? Is it more income? Is it better relationships? Write down all the great things you will get by reaching this goal.

6. Conditioning and reminders. A general rule of thumb is that it takes about 30 days for a new habit to stick. Plan out a schedule for the next month on a calendar on specific repetitive actions that needs to be done and COMMIT to doing it for the next 30 days. The initial momentum is the most important yet it's easy to slip at this point. Is it going to the gym four times a week? Is it researching stocks for five hours a week? Is it blocking out chunks of time to spend with your kids or loved ones? Write them down on the calendar and check them off as you complete them. Keep the calendar in a prominent place so you can see it regularly. The idea is to instill and enforce a new habit so you become conditioned to going to the gym, eating healthier, save money or whatever your goal may be.

7. Tracking your progress. Get yourself a notebook specifically for your new year's resolution goals. Write down everything you did towards accomplishing them immediately after the action. Note your failures too. Monitor your results. By keeping track of how you are progressing you will notice whether you are veering off course and make proper adjustments.

2007 is a brand new opportunity to take action and see your goals and passions become reality!

Rayman Lee is a personal development and achievement enthusiast. He currently runs several web sites on personal success and goal setting. His latest is http://www.YourNewYearResolution.com