At the core of all good books and movies are character “wants.” That is, the invisible forces behind a character’s choices and, ultimately, their goals. We tune in or read on to see them get what they want, but we also wish to learn why they want it in the first place.
Fictional or nonfictional character, everyone has wants and goals, and the new year is a great time to reassess the way you’re chasing yours. However, some people find themselves giving up or reconsidering their goals even before the month of January ends. (There’s even a name for it on the second Friday of every January: Quitters Day. This year, it was Jan. 12.)
If you’re on the verge of throwing in the towel, or you already did, don’t worry. Contrary to some discouraging headlines, sticking to your resolutions and meeting your goals isn’t impossible or even improbable — and you can start over at any time. But as a general rule, it may be more beneficial to view your wants as “goals” rather than “resolutions,” said Candice Seti, a psychologist, personal trainer and nutrition coach. This is because humans tend to do pretty well with goals, so long as you have the right approach and you’re setting them for the right reasons.
“It’s so important to approach New Year’s resolutions through the same lens we approach goal-setting,” Seti said.
Goals are not only fun to have — they’re imperative to what keeps us moving in life. So whether it’s a fitness goal, a new wellness standard or hitting the next milestone in your creative passion, here’s what Seti and other experts say about working with your own psychology to achieve your New Year’s resolution.