F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- As each new year begins, many people set new year's resolutions. Everyone has that one particular facet of his or her day-to-day life he or she wants to improve or change. Modifying our lives is good, but as the old adage goes "if it isn't broken, don't fix it."

So many times, new year's resolutions are drastic changes from our normal parameters, an attempt to change something that may not be broken but only needing to be tweaked. Making resolutions is not a problem, but sometimes our habits have just jumped off track, and we need a little motivation to put them back on the right path.

Take time to reflect on the past year, look at what you have done and how it has affected your life in a positive way. You can focus on the things that have not only impacted yourself, but your fellow Airman on a day-to-day basis. Some of these habits may need a complete overhaul while others just need a couple bolts tightened.

When you attempt to make a 180-degree turn in what you are doing, you can often leave behind positive aspects you should continue in your life. We are creatures of habit, and once we start something, whether right or wrong, we continue to do it over and over, almost unconsciously. No matter who you are, analyzing the habits in your life is a good idea, which can be accomplished anytime, not just the beginning of each new year.

But, what if you don't have good habits and want to change something in your life? Start out with small steps -- with obtainable goals that are within your reach. Setting unrealistic, impractical or impossible goals will only frustrate you once you realize you can't accomplish them. With short-term goals, we can achieve so much more and reaching those long term goals, which will form better habits and enhance those habits we already have, will become easier.

Now that we are underway in 2012, take time to reflect on 2011 and the things you have accomplished throughout the year and those habits that you want to continue. Do not put pressure on yourself to come up with a life-changing resolution, when you might be doing great things already. Now is the time to "adjust fire" and continue doing what you have been doing but just with a different trajectory.

Resolutions are hard to start, as well as accomplish, but with the right attitude and motivation, you can accomplish every goal that you set for yourself this new year.