#Goalsetting

As the midway point of the year arrives, many Thais may find their New Year’s resolutions gathering dust or their motivation to achieve personal and professional goals waning. According to the latest insights published in Psychology Today by Dr. Harry Cohen, a renowned psychologist, feeling stuck or stalled just six months after setting ambitious resolutions is not only common but natural. The research-backed strategies Dr. Cohen presents underscore the importance of compassionate self-reflection, cognitive reframing, and systematic habit resets—approaches particularly relevant as Thais navigate an ever-changing societal landscape marked by economic uncertainty, academic pressures, and shifting cultural values.

Mid-year is an ideal moment for Thai readers to pause, reflect, and reset their goals. Psychology experts note that feeling stuck six months into a plan is common and signals a smart pause for adjustment. Compassionate self-reflection, cognitive reframing, and tiny habit changes can restore momentum across health, education, career, and personal growth. This approach comes as Thai society faces economic uncertainty, academic pressure, and evolving cultural expectations.

Mental well-being in Thailand is drawing more attention from families, schools, and workplaces. The World Health Organization highlights mid-year fatigue as a global issue, underscoring the need for practical tools to manage stress and discouragement. The Thai virtue jai yen—cool-headedness—fits this approach, encouraging steady self-leadership and ongoing self-review as pathways to success.

Recent research has begun to challenge long-held assumptions about self-control and willpower, offering new hope to those struggling to stay disciplined in an age of constant distraction, stress, and instant gratification. While society often looks up to highly self-controlled individuals—the avid gym-goers, the impeccably organized home-makers, the unfailingly calm professionals—scientists are discovering that the real keys to self-control may be less about innate “grit” and more about learnable skills and environment management, according to a new report from The New York Times (nytimes.com).

Self-control is not just about sheer willpower. New research shows it can be learned through tools, routines, and environmental tweaks. For Thai readers navigating work, family, and constant digital noise, the findings offer actionable steps to stay focused and resilient amid stress.

Across Thailand, the concept of perseverance—ความเพียร—has deep roots in Buddhist practice and family life. This cultural backdrop makes the science of self-regulation especially relevant. Experts caution that lasting change comes from skills and strategies, not just trying harder.

A new wave of research and expert advice is turning the spotlight on how people over 40 can achieve lifelong happiness, debunking the myth that satisfaction declines with age. According to a recent article published by YourTango and reinforced by decades of scientific investigation, adopting certain regular habits can set individuals in midlife—and beyond—on a course for greater well-being and fulfillment (yourtango.com). These findings hold special relevance for Thai readers as the Kingdom’s population ages and societal norms around happiness and self-actualization evolve.

New research and expert guidance challenge the idea that happiness declines with age. A recent YourTango article, supported by decades of study, suggests seven regular habits can boost well-being for people in midlife and beyond. For Thai readers, these findings resonate as Thailand’s population ages and conversations about happiness and self-fulfillment grow more prominent.

Thai culture has long honored age as wisdom, yet many in their 40s and 50s worry about missed opportunities. The YourTango piece reframes midlife as a stage for meaning, not a deadline. It highlights stories of late bloomers and emphasizes redefining success. Data from the Harvard Study of Adult Development reinforces this view: strong relationships and purpose-driven living are linked to longer, healthier, happier lives.