How resolved are you?

Not very, if a recent national survey is any indication. Only 38% of Americans intended to make New Year’s resolutions at all for 2020, with 18% of us focused on a single goal and 20% making more than one promise.

The data was collected by surveying adults 18 and older from all 50 states.

Of those who make annual resolutions, commitment starts to wane quickly after the fi rst week of the year and only 4% of goals set are actually met, even in two years’ time.

The most popular resolutions revolve around improving health, finances and relationships, both with friends and family and spiritual relationships with God.

Other areas of self-improvement also are popular, such as learning a new skill and becoming more organized or a better time manager.

For those who do see Jan. 1 as the date to inspire a clean start toward unmet goals, experts suggest the following approach to avoid discouragement:

•Don’t call it a resolution. Avoid the negative connotation of previous years’ failures by using the words “goal” or “plan” instead.

•Keep it positive. Instead of using negative words like “quit” or “stop” and absolute words like “never” or “always,” frame your goals in positive terms.

•Be specific and realistic. Break larger goals down into more manageable steps. “Losing 50 pound this year” sounds daunting, but “losing three-five pounds a month” is doable and less intimidating.

•Tell friends and family. With any self-improvement project, having someone hold you accountable makes success more likely.

•Plan small rewards. Giving yourself small rewards each month you reach your goal makes it more likely you’ll stick with your plan for the entire year.