by Delana Newsom

     The new year is an excellent time to create fresh expectations for yourself. But sometimes setting a resolution and sticking to it is easier said than done. According to the New York Times, the best way to create resolutions you'll keep is to create achievable, measurable, goals that you can follow step by step. That means instead of resolving to sell your house in 2018, you'll set multiple smaller goals and incorporate them into a timeline.

     Another struggle in creating new goals can be picking them out among the multiple possibilities. To get you started, here are five broad resolutions that you can personalize for yourself and your lifestyle in 2018.

1. DO ONE THING EACH DAY THAT SCARES YOU

     One of the biggest challenges that can keep us from achieving our goals is a fear of failure. But what if you discover that what scares you isn't so scary after all? To achieve this goal, you don't have to do anything major - just choose a small, nerve-wracking hurdle that you can overcome each day.

2. TALK TO SOMEONE YOU DON'T KNOW EACH WEEK

     It's easy to get into the same old routines of speaking to the same people at work, at the gym and around town. But what would happen if you struck up a conversation with someone you didn't know? Having a pleasant chat with a stranger can brighten their day - and yours.

3. INCORPORATE SOME EXERCISE INTO YOUR DAILY LIFE

     This is a common resolution, but people often fail at it because they make grandiose exercise goals to which they simply cannot commit. Instead, doctors suggest that even some added physical exertion - like taking the stairs, walking around the block or chopping wood - can get you on the road to better health.

4. EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

     Another way to improve your health is by adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet. Most people don't get enough of the vitamins and minerals from these healthful food options, so make this year the time to commit to incorporating more of these in your snacks and meals. Specifically, try to add more nights of cooking at home to your routine. For instance, cancel a typical night of takeout, and replace it with a dinner filled with healthy greens.

5. EMBRACE BOREDOM

     With so many distractions, like television and smartphones, most of us don't give our brains much downtime. But it turns out that boredom can give us some of our best ideas; this kind of mindless downtime can help your brain connect ideas and create solutions. So, schedule some time in your busy schedule to do nothing - not even scrolling through your phone.