Another year, another list full of unattainable resolutions that will probably not get done. That is okay. Of course, we are always going to want to "lose 10 pounds” or “not be so stressed out all of the time.” While these are always good ideas to have, they are quite large and hard to tackle without determination or a motivator. It's hard to convince yourself that you can do something when it seems so menacing. These goals, while small, will hopefully lead to a domino effect that results in only positive changes for you.

1. Hold the door open for others:

As minuscule as this may seem, this is something we should be doing subconsciously. It may be tough when you are in a rush to get somewhere or there seems to be an ocean of people entering Target at the same time as you, but a little always goes a long way. A friend of mine once told me about a time they considered holding the door open for someone on the way into a job interview but decided against it because they did not want to be late. Turns out, the person on the way in behind them was the interviewer for the job. No matter what the situation, holding the door open for others is not a bad idea.

2. Stop self-loathing:

This is a difficult one. It's so easy to put yourself down in your head or to others when something goes wrong, but it is the furthest thing from productive. Nothing will get done if you do not have the mindset to do it, and if you are constantly insulting yourself, you will never be confident enough to have that mindset. If you think to yourself, “I am going to fail this test,” or “I cannot do this,” you are setting yourself up to fail and that will never lead to productivity. Try to find at least one positive thing or focus on a strength of yours that you are confident in.

3. Expand your knowledge:

Instead of settling in for a night of Food Network (which, just like a sweet treat, is always okay in moderation), try picking up a book―specifically one that is not a textbook, but rather a leisure read―or watching a documentary on Netflix. This is an easy and surprisingly fun way to learn something new every day, especially if you watch a documentary about something you do not know much about or something that always interested you. It is a great way to always keep the gears in your head moving.

4. Create more:

Keep a journal of all of your random thoughts and ideas, it is as simple as drafting up a tweet. Draw or paint a picture of your surroundings. You do not have to be the next da Vinci or Picasso. It is nice to be able to have a tangible thing you can hold in your hands and flip through, whether the stuff is happy or sad or somewhere in between. Not to mention, it is a much more therapeutic way to express your feelings, too.

5. Write thank you notes:

Sit down, get comfy, and channel your inner Jimmy Fallon for this one. Hand-written thank you notes are one of the most sincere things you can do in this digital age. In a world of speedy interactions and texting/e-mailing, it is a very cordial and credible thing to do whether you are thanking a future employer for an interview or writing a quick letter to send to your parents for the care package they sent you. It screams “adult” and you will also earn the respect you deserve in the process.

6. Pet more dogs:

No one can deny that petting a big, fluffy pup takes away a lot of stress. It is like “taking the time to smell the roses” but better. This is a simple and effective way to practice being more patient in your everyday endeavors.

Set little goals like this each month instead of creating a giant resolution to obtain throughout these next twelve. Think of things that are beneficial to you and to others. You could set a standard to wear a new lipstick color each day, or even something as simple as making sure you set aside 30 minutes a day to do something for yourself.

Cheers to 2016―may it be a happy and healthy year for you and for the ones you adore the most!