For many, resolutions go hand in hand with the New Year. An article in the The Wall Street Journal said that 88 percent of resolutions end in failure, according to a 2007 study by British psychologist, Richard Wiseman.

Luckily, following through on a resolution can happen with the right tools and support.

Professional life coach Donna Krone knows firsthand that change is hard. She left a successful career as a financial advisor to follow her true calling, life coaching. Each day, Ms. Krone helps her clients make changes and find their life purposes. “When my clients meet with me for the first time, they discuss changes that they want to make in their lives. A lot of times, those changes are for the wrong reasons. I help my clients get in touch with their true reasons for seeking change. Once clients tap into their own inner wisdom, they can use it to more fully live the life they were always meant to live.”

Whatever resolution you want to keep—career, weight, family life, Ms. Krone’s own story about change will inspire. Here is what she told me, in her own words:

Listening to your Intuition

Like many of my clients, I felt unfulfilled in my career and sought a life coach’s help. He guided me through a change...

I chose my college major and career by default. Since I was strong in math and science, and desired to make a difference, my guidance counselor suggested nursing. Four years later, I had a job that only partially suited me. Let me explain.

As a nurse, I felt fulfilled comforting my patients. Unfortunately, the hospital's fast-paced environment didn't allow much time for it. Most days I felt disconnected from my patients, which frustrated me. One day, a friend invited me to a seminar on becoming a financial advisor. There, I heard that as a trusted advisor, I could develop long-term relationships with my clients and help them reach personal goals. I was in!

Eighteen years later, I realized that like nursing, financial advising wasn’t a perfect fit. Although I was helping people, I found the financial focus restrictive. My inner voice whispered, “this is not what you're meant to be doing.” Over time, I couldn't ignore it any longer.

I worked hard as a financial advisor and built a full practice with 250 clients. I had an office, support staff and flexibility in my schedule. I felt knowledgeable and confident, but my career didn't feel right. I was in a “creative dilemma.” In other words, there was tension between where I was and where I wanted to be.