Back in 2008, I made detailed New Year's resolutions. It was a complete list. It had spiritual, financial, professional and personal goals. Things such as saving money and losing weight. I had other bigger goals such as visiting with aging friends and finishing my novel.

I taped it up to my bedroom wall where I would see it, right over the old mantelpiece.

Every time I completed a goal, I would cross it off in red. By the end of 2008, a few goals were completed, but most remained undone. So I crossed out 2008 and wrote 2009. I did the same thing at the end of 2009 and 2010 and 2011.

By New Year's Eve, 2012, the paper was getting yellow with age. Only about half of the goals were completed. A few of the goals had been amended. I ripped the paper from the wall. Not in disgust or despair, but in realism. I was never going to complete most of the goals on the paper.

After having open heart surgery in 2011, I realized that it really didn't matter whether I completed most of the goals anyway. I've always said that we are going to die with a few dirty dishes in our sink. Some things will always be undone.

Not that goal-setting is not important. I think it is one of the habits of highly effective people. We should establish goals for ourselves and strive to meet them. But I realized that having too many goals diffuses our efforts. We look at the long list and get discouraged. We think it is all important and demands all of our attention.

It is better to have a more limited agenda. It is also better to have a style of life that allows us to put people first. Too often, our list-making crowds out our attention to people. So the list of goals from 2008 went in the trash.

I have decided that I will have few goals but try to develop better habits.

First of all, I want to pay attention to people. When I think of them, especially old friends, I will try to drop them a note or make a phone call. There is some reason why they are popping into my mind.

This is especially true when people are sick and dying. I intend to visit friends who are close to death. I will want someone to visit me when my time comes.

Second, I will try to simplify my life. Having few things makes life more peaceful and simpler. I don't plan any big housecleaning, but I plan consistently and persistently to give things away.

Third, I want to read and pray more. The stack of books by my bed will give way to only one book. Read that book and then move on to another. The breviary by my chair will stay open more and be the focus of the beginning and the end of my day.

Finally, I want peace.

That really is my only resolution this year. Do what brings the most peace into my life and the lives of the people around me. Too much anxious goal-setting can just raise the tension level.

So I begin this year with only one real resolution: I want peace with God and man.

There it is. That's enough.

Fr. Daly is pastor of St. John Vianney Church in Prince Frederick, Md.