Due to sky-high expectations, unexpected turns of events, or simply the demands of being a modern-day parent (that is to say, the family superhero), all-too many people begin the New Year by resolving not to make resolutions.

But don't let the past prevent you from creating a richer, healthier, more productive future. Instead, let the past help you create goals—not resolutions—that you can really stick to. The key is to reflect meaningfully upon the past, using the passing of one year to the next as a symbolic pause from the hectic flow of your life. In this way, the possibilities of the year ahead will be as clear to you as, say, a cold bottle of Dasani… Hey, you know this is going to involve some thirsty work, so you're going to need something to keep you refreshed!

What dooms most resolutions is that they are made in the haze of the holidays, or in the spur of the moment. Something as important as charting your personal course for the year ahead demands more thought than that.

Time to Reflect
Start by reserving a day for yourself, one that is specifically devoted to contemplating the past. If you simply cannot clear your plate for an entire day, then set aside at least an hour a day for a week for reflection.

Create a Sacred Space
Find or create a suitable, supportive space for your contemplation. If you want the New Year to be crackling with energy, pick your favorite coffee shop. If it's serenity you're after, maybe a secluded garden or park will provide a calm backdrop for your musings. Even a long, candlelit bath can free your body of tension so that your mind can focus on the past.

Journal Your Journey
Next, get yourself a new journal expressly for assessing the passing year. It should be as blank and as full of promise as the year ahead! At the top of each page (or as many as you can tackle) write a question that gets you thinking deeply about the past. Try to make them as specific as possible without getting mired in details.

As you answer your question, try your best to fill the page—no more, no less. This forces you to examine issues and incidents you may, at first, not have much to say about, while preventing you from dwelling too much on certain aspects of the year. You want to meditate on the past, not become mired in it.

Assess and Address
When you're through, spend some time away from your journal. You might find that your mind is still puzzling over the past as you resume your day-to-day life. If an insight comes up, by all means capture it in your journal. Taking some time away from it will give you a fresh perspective when you revisit your answers. You will, more than likely, find recurring themes, attitudes, or situations. This is good. This is the past telling you what worked and what didn't.

Goal for It
Now it's time to turn your reflections into actions. One reason many resolutions fail is that they are based on a negative—something you aren't doing that you feel you should. Your answers will, more than likely, reveal aspects of your life that need improvement. They should also bring to life positive rituals and habits that you might want to devote more time to in the coming year.

So spend some time turning your answers into attainable goals for the year. They may seem lofty at first, which is fine. You can then break them down into simpler, less intimidating steps that lead to your primary goal. The simplest way to zero in on a goal is to turn your answers from last year's questions into questions to ask yourself for the coming year. Your answers to these questions should point the way to your goals. And, ideally, since you spent some quality time assessing the recurring themes of your past, those goals will be relevant to your life and who you truly are, and lead you to the person you've always wanted to be.

We'll go First
At Coke USA, our goal is to provide helpful information about our Brands and our Company and to offer you and your family Refreshing ideas and Inspiring tips for finding greater balance, health and happiness in the year ahead. We hope you will explore our family of beverages to find the right balance of refreshment, vitality and relaxation that you need to thrive. From our sparkling beverages to juices to teas to waters, we're sure we've got what you're thirsty for. But we also want to be more than the drink in your hand; we are The Coca-Cola Company, after all, and that means something to us. We hope to make a positive difference in the lives of our consumers. Now it's your turn and we can't wait to see what you'll do!

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