Another New Year has dawned, and with it the hopes of everyone dedicated to keeping resolutions, and local mental health professionals say that task may be easier than you think.

Brenda Donaldson, a licensed professional counselor with South Central Mental Health Center in Andalusia, offered some tips to help keep those New Year goals.

“When we set goals, it helps to give our lives a purpose,” Donaldson said. “If we drive and struggle to keep our resolutions, we can feel a sense of accomplishment, and we can move forward in life.”

Donaldson said a common problem for many with resolutions is becoming discouraged at the slightest misstep.

“I think what people should realize is that you can start over every day,” she said. “If you have a day where you don’t meet your goals, you don’t have to give up.”

By the same token, Donaldson said, people can think of their goals as something to attain each day, adding the smaller time frame makes resolutions seem less overwhelming.

“Break down your goals into something that is tangible,” Donaldson said. “If your goals are too big, you tend to get discouraged and give up. If you can take it a little at a time, daily, you are more likely to accomplish your goal.”