More than a year ago, I started using beeminder.com to track my resolution to go to the gym two-three times a week. I only used it to track, not any of the pledge-money options, but I already found that really useful, and I've stuck to it ever since.
But it's partly successful because it's a resolution I know I'm physically capable of, and it's important to me to keep, and doesn't take that much time -- I can plan a week and say "other than work, I can work everything else round this without doing significantly less". I don't have to say "is this excuse sufficient" -- I've a pretty clear idea of what's genuinely exceptional, and everything else, it's not that I literally don't have time, it's just that I'm looking for an excuse.
But then, chuffed with success, I added a lot more resolutions (and there's more I'd like to add) I want to get into the habit of always keeping up even when I'm busy. Going to work on time. Hours spent at work concentrating not trying to stop procrastinating. Phone mum at least once a week. Phone/email Liv at least twice a week. Shave every morning. Eat fruit. Blog thrice a week. And all of those are good, and I've improved massively on them, but I've reached a point where I can't reliably do ALL of them ALL of the time, and every time I "bend" a goal a little, I feel the habit of keeping resolutions get weaker and the whole system get less reliable and the bad habits start to come back.
Partly, I need to plan in advance, and say, "I can't do all this at the last minute because there may not be time, I need to know in advance when I need to spend a couple of hours catching up on stuff".
Partly I need to be realistic about priorities: some resolutions the ONLY reason not to do them is procrastination, and I should be able to just always do them; but some resolutions, actually take time and sometimes they're less important than socialising or hobbies or spending time with Liv.
Partly I need to concentrate on building habits. If I can ALWAYS get up at the same time, shower, shave, dress, and leave, I never think "oh, lots of time, I'll just check email first" and end up being late.
Partly I need to calibrate my expectations. Doing what I'm doing now is lots better than I was a year ago. But now it feels like it should be "normal" so if I shave, go to work on time and go the the gym, I don't feel "yay, successful day", I think "that's exhausting, now I actually need to get something done". But I need to be realistic that many days, doing all the things I've precommitted to and nothing more, is as successful as much as I have time and energy for, and I should either be pleased with that (and schedule long-term progress for other days), or accept that if I want to get something else done, I need to compromise on one of the things I previous said I'd try to do.
Partly I need to be realistic about what's achievable, so if I can't keep everything, I don't fall into the habit of fudging and assuming I'll be able to make it up later.