Before you set off toward your New Year’s goal, be sure you’re getting started with the right footing. Studies show that approach-oriented goals are tied to long-term success, while avoidance-oriented goals can have the opposite of the intended effect. What this means is rather than framing your goal from a negative standpoint, view goals through a positive lens. Consider the wording you use to describe your goal. Instead of telling yourself, “I must accomplish this goal or I will fail,” think of what you can realistically achieve using your current resources. Performance anxiety is real and can cause you to overlook important details, so reviewing your goals and ensuring they are solid is key to success.