Go for the Goal 15 New Year's resolutions that are challenging, constructive and attainable. Really.

New Year's resolutions about losing weight or organizing thegarage may not last more than a few weeks, but it's possible tostart the year with plans for your business that will persist for afull 12 months--or even longer.

But like the often-repeated resolution of an out-of-shape personthat this year will be different, resolutions for a business gonowhere if they entail recreating reality. Resolutions that pushfor incremental progress or for simple clarity of thought are theones that stick, say successful entrepreneurs and businessadvisors.

"Making resolutions means taking a risk, but the thing weall need to do to stay in business these days is constantly put ourcompanies at risk," says Tom Mears, CEO of Holland Inc.,parent company of the Pacific Northwest's Burgerville USAchain. "The only way to grow in 1999 is to keep yourself frombecoming complacent and find things you can change about the wayyou operate."