I’m not a gambling man, but I’m willing to bet that more than half of us have already broken our New Year’s resolutions. On one hand this makes me laugh and on the other hand, I’m disappointed that I can’t keep a promise to myself. (Well, I’m a Bills fan, so I’m used to disappointment.)

Despite the high failure rate, I enjoy kicking off the New Year because it puts me in the frame of mind of having a fresh start. If nothing else, maybe my luck will improve. So let’s take a more optimistic perspective on making some improvements in the coming year. Here are my suggestions:

• Pick one or two things you can do to make your current job more enjoyable. Before we tackle a big goal like finding a new job, maybe there are some simple things you can do to improve your current circumstances. It may be as simple as organizing tools, papers, files, etc. so things aren’t so cluttered. When I go into work in the morning and I see that same pile of stuff I haven’t touched in more than six months, it puts me in a bad mood. Let’s move the clutter to pile “A” or send it to the trash. Done, what’s next?

• I’m pushing the envelope with this one, but when I think about making my job more enjoyable, maybe it’s time to sit down with my boss and discuss a couple of changes in my responsibilities. Even small changes can significantly improve my attitude. Is there a new challenge that will pique your interest? Or identify a few new skills you would like to learn so you stand a chance of getting promoted. If this idea sounds appealing I’m going to recommend a book — “Go Put Your Strengths to Work” by Marcus Buckingham. He’ll explain the best way to approach this task without aggravating your boss.

• Either make a commitment to finding a new job this year or stop complaining about your current job. Whoa, I scared myself. I sound like Donald Trump. Is it time to sit down and write a career plan you can implement in 2016? Notice I’m recommending you actually write a real plan. You’ve been thinking about it, dreaming about it and fantasizing about it and now is it time to actually do something about it? I apologize for being so direct, but sometimes we need a kick in the pants to get up and make things happen. If you don’t prepare for what’s ahead, your skills will become obsolete and you’ll be left behind.

A friend of mine recently described a career crisis his mother experienced. She is a stenographer for a large physicians practice and she told her son many times that her job could never be eliminated because some physician recordings are difficult to understand and the technology could never overcome this obstacle. Last month she was informed that the entire department of stenographers was being laid off and only a couple would be retained on a part-time basis. She is now scrambling to launch a new career at the age of 55. With some advance planning, she could have been better prepared to adapt to the changes that were inevitable.

• Let me end on a much lighter note. I hope to get a little more organized at home. My wife is already laughing because I used the words “I hope” instead of “I will.” I’m going to start in the basement. Depending on your perspective, cleaning the basement may be a high priority item, but it’s also a large task. Should we hire someone to do it or wait another five years and then I’ll make it a New Year’s resolution? You and I know that we’re probably going to end up hiring someone.

Despite the inevitable ups and downs, I love the idea of a fresh start. Whether it’s getting in better shape, learning how to play the guitar or finding a new job, I enjoy the opportunity to set new goals. Sit down with a cup of coffee and bring an optimistic attitude to the table. Even if you complete only half your goals, I guarantee you’ll feel better about what you’ve been able to achieve on the job.

Kaminski is president of Stone Associates Training. He is an HR consultant with 35 years of experience in the employment field, teaching managers the art of hiring great employees. He also is an adjunct instructor at Keuka College. You can contact him with your questions, suggestions and comments at bill@stoneassociatestraining.com.