One month down and eleven to go in 2010. How are you doing on those New Year resolutions?

Odds are you’ve blown it already.

If you haven’t – great job! Keep it up. If you have started to slip (or have totally wiped out) – not to worry; now’s the perfect time to pick yourself up, apply some lessons learned and get back at it.

It’s not enough to pick your goal and expect your fierce willpower to drive you all the way to the finish line. It’s just not going to happen. And if that’s how you’re trying to lead yourself toward a goal, how are you leading others? Unrealistic expectations are always a recipe for frustration.

You (and your team) need three main supports to prevent backsliding when you’re going after something big. You need a Purpose, a Plan, and a few key People.

1. Purpose: Know the “why” behind your goal and make sure it’s captivating. Consider it positively (what will it be like when I achieve this?) and negatively (What’s at stake if I don’t achieve this?). Both are great motivators. Keep your purpose clear and present.

2. Plan: Draw a detailed and realistic roadmap for how you’re going to get from here to there. Then execute your plan with disciplined flexibility – meaning only change the plan to keep on purpose, not at the whim of your moods or feelings. Schedule specific times to review the effectiveness of your plan.

3. People: You were not meant to be alone – or achieve alone. First, broadcast your goal to the world; lay it all out there for everyone to see. Then, approach the people who love you the most (your biggest fans) and ask them to keep you regularly accountable. Watch out! This is a step you’ll be tempted to skip – but it’s crucial to achieving your goal.

What purpose, plan, and people are behind your next big goal?