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Yesterday a friend posted a note on Facebook that said:

So for the first time in my life I actually kept two New Years resolutions the whole year long. As I reflect on 2012, I'm pretty proud of myself!

It was remarkable because it so seldom happens that we actually stick with hard things long enough to become a habit. We tend to have roll-over goals that we set again and again every year and never accomplish.

The missing ingredient is usually consistency. We might start strong, but we don't finish strong. In fact, often we fizzle out before we even get to the middle.

How many times have you resolved to lose ten pounds? Or to workout every day? Or to get organized? Or to get your finances in order? Or be a better spouse or parent? Or learn to be patient?

As a mom of six, I'm painfully aware of how many times we have to teach and reteach the same principles to our children. When I was a new parent, I had this vision that all I needed was a checklist of things to teach my kids. I'd go through it and when I got to the end, I'd be done. My kids would be responsible, productive human beings and we could just marinate in happiness and joy.

So why did I have to explain to Jessica 300 times that she needed to apologize when she bumped into her sister? And why did I have to repeatedly discuss with Belinda the importance of finishing a chore or assignment she started? And why did I have to try to reason with Alana over and over about keeping up in her schoolwork if she wanted to perform in shows?

Because I was wrong. The list is fictional. And just like kids, adults are slow learners and creatures of habit.

On New Year's Day this year we were driving home from a Disneyland vacation. As I pondered what the new year would bring I wondered how I could make it even better than 2012. The thing that stood out most in my mind was that I wanted to “move on.” Move on from the habits and circumstances that have plagued me for years. Move on from the issues that cause problems. Move on from the stuff I should have resolved years (decades!) ago.

So one of my main goals this year is to be consistent. Work at small improvements every day until they become habit. Then move on to the next good thing that will ultimately change the course of my life.

May I be blessed enough to have my kids get on board!

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Alison Moore Smith is a 61-year-old entrepreneur who graduated from BYU in 1987. She has been (very happily) married to Samuel M. Smith for 40 years. They are parents of six incredible children and grandparents to two astounding grandsons. She is the author of The 7 Success Habits of Homeschoolers.