Remember what Renée Zellweger's character in Bridget Jones's Diary wrote in her diary at the beginning of every year?

"Will lose 10 pounds", "Will quit smoking", "Will drink less", all while she was packing on the pounds, drinking like a fish, and smoking like a chimney. Then repeating the same resolutions the following year.

Yes, we all make New Year's resolutions, and many of us never keep them. In fact, they have become a burden for most people, like a nagging voice of guilt at the back of their mind reminding them that they did not keep their promises. Yet we repeat the vicious cycle annually.

But could this be because we are making all the wrong resolutions?

Motivational speaker Tshepo Sitole of Soweto thinks so, and says that most of the time, the problem is the resolution itself.

"Most people tend to make resolutions that are unrealistic. For example, making a resolution that you will read 12 books by next year, when in fact you don't have a culture of reading will see your resolution obliterated to shards. The trick with resolutions is to see the bigger picture of what you want to achieve, then breaking them down into achievable goals.

"For example, instead of saying "I'll read 12 books by the end of the year", why not dedicate five minutes of your time daily, perhaps before you go to sleep, to reading a passage in a book. In that way, you will gradually get into the habit of reading, and perhaps you will not read 12 by the end of the year, but a couple would still be a great achievement, compared to where you started."

Achievable goals you could set yourself this year are doable, and with a little guidance from our experts, you could stick to those goals, and not have an egg on your face come the end of the year.

- Don't "Lose 12kg by the end of 2017" - Find a fun exercise routine instead.

Exercise can be a drag. But not if you are having fun while at it. Choreographer, founder and member of Soweto's Finest dance group, Tom London, says dancing away the pounds is a great idea.

"Not only is it fun, but you will not even realise that the pounds are dropping off because you will be having fun in the dance class. This is definitely a great way to exercise. Find a dance studio close to you and start moving."

- Don't "Obtain that degree" - Find a mentor instead.

"I always say don't chase a qualification, chase a skill that will benefit you," says Sitole.

And obtaining a qualification that will improve your career is usually easier if you have a mentor.

"Find someone who is already in the industry you want to venture into, or the skill you want, and let them guide you. That will keep you motivated, as opposed to enrolling then dropping out."

- Don't promise to "Read more" - Join a book club.

Blogger Jennifer Peacock-Smith says: "You will get to meet a lot of new people, you will make friends, and get to share your thoughts on an interesting topic or book. This can be a really fun way to improve one's knowledge, as well as make friends while at it."

- Don't promise to quit alcohol - Try reducing your alcohol intake.

Quitting anything cold turkey can be extremely difficult, so why not make a goal of reducing how much alcohol you drink? General practitioner Moses Nzimande says reducing your alcohol intake will immediately reap some results. "A lot of alcohol intake can put your body through quite a beating, and a reduction of alcohol will have the exact opposite effect."

Nzimande says that some tips to reducing your alcohol intake could involve going out with less cash, avoiding hard liquor, and not keeping alcohol in the house.

- Learn a new language.

This can be a fun, great way to meet new people, as well as expand your horizons. Make friends with a person who speaks a language completely different to yours, and start gabbing away.

- Get in touch with your spirituality. Read up on meditation techniques, and start practising the art of being one with yourself, nature, and our spirituality. It will calm your mind.