Most people set goals too high, personal-change experts say.

If you promise to exercise every day when you’d never exercised before, rethink your goal. Begin gradually and build up. The key to meeting goals is to start slowly. Robert Turla, author of Time Management Made Easy says it takes 21 consecutive days to make a new habit stick. Here are some typical resolutions and good advice on achieving them:

• “I’ll manage my time better.” Look back on last year. What did you spend most of your time doing? What do you wish to do instead in the new year? Are there goals you would like to reach by the end of the year?
• “I’ll get my body in shape.” Start by learning to grill or steam foods instead of frying. Also, schedule time to exercise on most days of the week.
• “I’ll be less emotional.” Remove yourself from certain situations and redirect your thoughts to be more positive.
• “I’ll be neater.” Have a place for everything. Handle each piece of paper only once.