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For many people, the new year brings a host of pledges to do more and to do better — whether it be diet, exercise, organization or finances.

WalletHub spoke with Becky Wai-Ling Packard, Mary E. Woolley professor of psychology and education, about sticking to a resolution in the new year.

“New Year’s resolutions are notorious for being ambitious,” she said. “So many people give up on their resolution because it is too difficult to meet.”

She suggested that, to avoid abandoning new behaviors, a person should look toward cultivating the emotional boost that is linked to continued effort.

“So even if a person wants to set a New Year's resolution to run a 5K each week, they should reconsider and set a very realistic goal that can be met. For some, that might mean saying ‘I will walk for 10 minutes around the block once per week as I am currently not walking at all.’ When they meet that, they might increase to twice a week,” she said.