By Colleen Dowd

It’s already one month into 2010. Have you kept your resolutions for this year, Auntie? Whether it’s to quit smoking, stop eating junk, or start an exercise plan, sticking to your new goal is not easy. According to a study by John Norcross, a psychology professor at the University of Scranton, only one in five Americans will stick to a New Year’s resolution for more than two years.

Breaking that bad habit not only affects you in a positive way, but those around you. For a Savvy Auntie, that means setting a good example for your nieces and nephews. You can show them that you can have a goal, work hard at it, and succeed. If you have already fallen off the resolution wagon, don’t worry. There are steps that you can take to finally break your bad habit for good (even if it is just biting your nails).

First, figure out what drives you to do that habit. It may seem like part your routine right now, but chances are that the habit is covering up an emotion. Do you smoke/not exercise/eat unhealthy food when you are bored/tired/stressed out/sad? If you can’t seem to pinpoint the trigger, try writing down your feelings every time you get the urge for that bad habit.

Once you realize the feelings that are associated with that behavior, you can begin to think of the benefits of getting rid of that habit. Start by brainstorming all of the positive ways that removing that habit from your like will affect you. Will you have more energy? Feel stronger? Sleep better? Be a better role model for your nieces and nephews?

Once you have committed to changing that bad behavior, make sure you have people around to support you. Let friends and family know about your resolution so that they can be there to support you when you are struggling. You can even enlist your nieces and nephews as your personal cheerleaders--let them help you reach your goal!

Replace that bad habit with something positive. Why not take a bike ride with your nieces and nephews if you are looking to exercise more? Or when you are looking to light up, grab the phone and try giving them a call instead. If you're trying to eat healthier, skip the drive-thru and have your nieces and nephews over for a nutritious home cooked meal. Change the bad habit into a good habit! We know you can do it!

Collen Dowd is a freelance writer.