With the year quickly coming to an end, some of us can’t help to stop and think about what we’ve achieved this 2018. Maybe you’ve done a lot, or perhaps you’re still in that place that you wanted to move from last year. If you’re the type of person that likes to challenge yourself with New Year’s resolutions, but always struggle to achieve them, we’re here to tell you that you might not be entirely to blame. Did you know that most people fail to accomplish their new year’s resolutions because their goal was a little unrealistic with timing?

Maybe you wanted a promotion this year, or perhaps you decided to shed those few extra pounds. Whatever your resolution might have been, you might want to look at the timespan you plan to achieve it with and if it’s really a realistic goal.

Sometimes, we propose goals that are impossible to reach within a specified period. Sure, it could be possible to drop 60 pounds in a year with proper exercise and dieting habits. However, you need to account for your work schedule, the night shifts, the stress of the workload, and your condition after finishing each shift. Maybe you’re tired of working, and the only thing that you want to do is sleep, which might hinder your progress toward your resolution. Perhaps you have kids to care for at home, and those tasks could potentially detract from the time you have to yourself. Whatever the case, instead of proposing general and vague resolutions, it’s better to start with small goals that are attainable in the here and now.

Here are three of the most common New Year’s resolutions, and our tips for how to achieve them!

Instead of getting a new promotion, actively participate in the workplace

Landing a promotion or a bonus is always a welcome addition to anyone’s day. The fact that your efforts are being recognized and rewarded can brighten anyone’s mood. However, shooting for the big promotion in the workplace as your new year’s resolution is something that, in most cases, is entirely out of your hands. Especially since it’s always up to the chain of command to approve.

However, what you CAN do to shift the scales in your favor is to actively participate in your workplace and earn what you want to accomplish instead pulling out the “time card” and ask for a promotion just because you’ve been working in the facility for X number of years. Greet patients with a smile; be diligent in your rounds; offer to help your teammates out if you have the time, and try to give that extra 10%. Before long, you’ll be basking in that sweet, blissful promotion.

Instead of aiming to shed 60 pounds, start by engaging in light exercise

Many people underestimate the effort it takes to adopt exercising habits. Also, many people try to tackle their weight-loss goals head on and overexert themselves, only to strain their bodies and give up when they’re halfway there.

The key to adhering to a weight loss resolution is not about putting in the effort; it’s about being consistent. Sure, you could go to the gym and maybe exercise for an hour every day, and maybe you’ll even see results with it. However, there are some out there that can’t keep up with a training regimen and will quit outright because they feel too sore. However, what most people don’t know, is that you don’t need a gym or a training machine to help them shed some pounds; all people need is to eat fewer calories than what they burn naturally.

It makes more sense to watch what you eat, and just go out for 30-minute walks. Not only is this a healthier way to shed some pounds, it also puts less strain on your body and helps it become accustomed to exercising before upgrading to more rigorous exercises.

Instead of buying that thing you wanted, aim to save up some money

We all need to unwind at some point. Some go out shopping. Others play video games. And some go out to the local café and enjoy a beverage while watching people walk by. What do all these activities have in common? They all require money. However, instead of overindulging on some activities because you deserve it—and, undoubtedly, you do—try to save at least a third of your salary each month. In this manner, you’ll be able to raise enough money at some point to buy that expensive console, or to pay for a vacation to another country.

In other words: instead of going for the cheap and easy way, you could save up a bit and go for the best-in-class in entertainment to get the best bang for your buck.