Most of us make them and few of us keep them. This year I am challenging myself to do more than reach a goal weight or financial goal. This year is the year I strive for something bigger.

1. Approach your problems with kindness

My road rage is terrible. Over half of the time I get on the road I end up guilty and ashamed with how angry I get at complete strangers for minor traffic inconveiances. I want to make it a goal to be a nicer person behind the wheel. I also have a bad habit of turning my bad day into an issue for those around me. I want to focus on making my bad day motivate me to make sure other people do not suffer with me and maybe even try to make sure they have a good one.

2. Read more things that inform you

Yes, it is tempting to cross of a few more novels by Stephen King that I have been meaning to read but this is the year I dedicate my focus to nonfiction. There are so many real life stories out there that will broaden our perspectives and help us better understand those around us.

3. Become better at accepting criticism

I like to tell myself that I am great at accepting criticism. However, most of the time it eats me up inside and I am ready to counter them with an excuse. There is still room for me to grow and sometimes it helps when people give me advice. Too many of us have a problem with our pride and this prevents us from benefiting from others critiques. Most of them are trying to help, not hurt.

4. Do not make too many expectations

Although I am setting goals for myself, I want to keep an open mind about the outcomes and overall experience of this year. Expectations will kill the excitement and spontaneity of the moment. It could be the best year, the worst year or somewhere in-between. My only expectation I want to set for 2018 is to be given the opportunities to grow. Hopefully this isn't too much to ask.

5. Drop the negativity

Although I am usually very positive, I catch myself making snide remarks or judging someone or something before I give them a chance. This saddens me because I do not want to be this person at all. I want to be the kind of person that inspires those around me to want to better themselves and I can't do that when I say something negative or bitter.

6. Make people laugh

There are few things I love more than seeing someone laugh because of me (unless it is at me). Life can be tough and 2017 has sure shown all of us that this is true. It is cheesy and most definitely overused, but l do believe that laughter is medicine. Maybe not the BEST medicine for every situation, but it can't hurt. Let's heal each other in 2018.

7. Become better at showing appreciation

Mom and dad, thank you for all that you do. I could thank you every day for the rest of my life and that would still not be enough. I want to make it a priority to call my loved ones more often when I am away at school. I want to let my friends know how much I love them and how much their support means to me. I have so much more than I deserve and I sure as heck do not expect it. It is time I work on expressing my gratitude more often.

8. Admit when I am wrong

This one kind of goes along with accepting criticism, but it deserves its own point. I can be stubborn at times and this prevents me from fixing my problems. After all, admitting you have a problem to begin with is the first step. I love to be right and when I am wrong I need to learn from it instead of accepting it as my own truth. It is time to sit down, be humble, and accept that I can be wrong.

9. Listen MORE Talk LESS

And I mean listen, not just analyze so you know what to respond with. There is nothing more comforting than having a friend who is there to just truly listen. I want to be that friend. I want to be the person people can go to when they just need to have someone hear them out and it is time to make that happen.

All of us have room to grow and learn and this is the year that we do everything within our potential to better ourselves. I hope all of us take this new beginning as a chance to do a few of the things mentioned above.