Focus on doing, not on ‘not doing’

It’s easy to start a New Year’s Resolution by saying, “This year, won’t eat processed foods.” But Marshall warns that setting a “negative” goal just makes you acutely aware of what you’re missing. “We know when we’re thinking of the thing we’re trying to avoid, it’s going to be present in our head,” he adds. “You know, ‘Don’t think of pink elephants.’” Instead, focus on behaviours that you want to do, such as eating salad for one meal a day.