By KATIE MCDOWELL/Lifestyles Editor

At the beginning of each new year, Shelby County Schools Superintendent Randy Fuller takes a moment to list the goals he hopes to accomplish in the next 12 months.

He keeps the list nearby and refers back to it throughout the year to check his progress.

Fuller is not the only local leader who makes New Year’s resolutions. We asked several other leaders to share their 2013 resolutions, as well as tips for attaining their goals.

Fuller’s 2013 resolutions include spending more time with family, exercising more and losing weight. He also plans to make a list of all the people who have been influential in his life.

“After making the list, I am going to call or visit each one of them and thank them for what they did for me,” he said. “For those that have passed away, I want to take time and remember them. My life has been blessed because of those people.”

Mary Lou Williams, executive director of the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce, also wants to make exercising a priority, in addition to attending live theater performances and concerts in Montevallo and the University of Montevallo, keeping her car “reasonably tidy” and increasing membership in her Sunday School class at University Baptist Church.

Kirk Mancer, executive director of the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce, shared both personal and professional goals, including achieving goals identified through the Shelby One initiative, collaborating with community partners to make improve Shelby County, becoming a better team leader and making sure his family and loved ones know “each and every day how much I care about them.”

When it comes to keeping his resolutions, Mancer tries to set benchmarks, or mini-goals, to achieve along the way.

Williams suggests creating an environment to help you stay connected to your resolutions, such as joining a book club if you resolved to read more.

While Williams said she doesn’t always keep her resolutions, she enjoys setting goals each year.

“Even if you miss achieving them, you are likely to accomplish some things that you would otherwise have missed,” she said.