" False hope syndrome is probably already familiar to you if you've ever set a New Year's resolution. Psychologists describe this syndrome in three parts that make up a cycle: 1) setting the goal, 2) feeling surprised by its difficulty, 3) giving up on the goal. False hope syndrome often happens when you expect immediate results from your actions. For example, you might set a goal of "Become more physically fit" and then get discouraged when you've been working out for two weeks without noticeable changes. Just remember that some goals do take time and setting up clear stages and timeframes can help combat unrealistic expectations. This syndrome can also happen when the initial "rush" of the goal wears off. For example, the goal "Learn to play the guitar" is really exciting for a little while, as you buy a new instrument, learn a few chords, etc. However, when the real work of daily practice, calluses, and chord progressions sets in, you may lose momentum. Setting small goals and celebrating small successes can help you keep your momentum going. Several studies have shown that people who treat setbacks as learning experiences are more likely to feel positive about their ability to achieve their goals. If you view challenges, setbacks, or even your own mistakes as "failures" and beat yourself up for them, you'll be focusing on the past instead of looking toward the future. Research has shown that people who accomplish their goals don't usually have fewer setbacks than people who give up on their goals. The difference is in how you envision the setbacks. Can you learn from what went wrong to do something differently next time? The drive for perfectionism can also hold you back from acknowledging mistakes as sources of growth. When you hold yourself to impossible standards of performance, you're actually more likely to feel like your goals can't be achieved. Instead, be compassionate with yourself. Remind yourself that you are human, and that all humans make mistakes and experience challenges. Studies have shown that positive thinking is effective at helping people learn and adapt than focusing on your mistakes or flaws. Next time you find yourself beating yourself up over a perceived failure, remind yourself that you can learn from every experience, no matter how unpleasant it is in the moment. So much of achieving goals is a matter of perception. Celebrate small wins. If your goal is to make straight A's and you do well on an exam, celebrate it. If you goal is to become a lawyer, celebrate every hoop you successfully jump through, such as getting into law school, doing well in a course, passing the bar, and finally getting a job. Celebrate benchmarks or milestones. Some goals will take years if not longer to accomplish. Recognize and celebrate the amount of time that you've spent doing something. Practice takes time and effort. Recognize and be proud of the amount of time you've put into something. Celebrate the smallest accomplishments, too. For example, if your goal is "Eat healthier" and you're able to say "no thanks" to that greasy but delicious slice of pizza, pat yourself on the back for your willpower. Whatever your goal is, it is a goal for a reason. It is something that you want for yourself in the future. Let that passion and drive show. Reminding yourself about what you are working towards can help you get through momentary difficulty or unpleasantness. Sometimes, the best destinations force you to take the roughest trails. Life is filled with lemons that don't make very good lemonade. Sometimes, unexpected things happen that will affect your plans. Don't be afraid to recalibrate, think of new plans, set new goals, and in some cases reject old goals that you might not care about any more. Setbacks are natural. They shouldn't automatically deter you from your ultimate goals. Recognize why you are facing a setback. Is it something you can control or not? Move forward accordingly. Consider new opportunities. Some of the best things in life aren't planned. Say yes to new opportunities if they help further your own goals or present new, better goals. Keep track of the small successes you accomplish. Achieving these smaller tasks will help you build your self-confidence, because you'll know that you're capable of achieving things you set out to do. Remind yourself of your past successes when you find yourself struggling. Remember that setbacks don't mean failure. Author J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels were rejected twelve times in a row before a publisher agreed to take a chance on them. Inventor Thomas Edison's schoolteachers told him he was "too stupid to learn anything." Oprah was fired from her first television job and told she was "unfit for TV." Sometimes it's that negative feedback from others that fuels our drive to be successful at our goals and dreams.
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One-sentence summary -- Recognize "false hope syndrome. View challenges as learning experiences. Acknowledge every victory. Stay passionate. Revise your goals if necessary. Persevere.

Before you start writing, it is best to plan out your organization strategy. A unique feature of a comparative essay is that you have several different organizational strategies to choose from. Use a traditional outline form if you would like to, but even a simple list of bulleted points in the order that you plan to present them would help. You can also write down your main points on sticky notes (or type them, print them, and then cut them out) so that you can arrange and rearrange them before deciding on a final order. Address both halves of the comparison in each paragraph. This means that the first paragraph will compare the first aspect of each subject, the second will compare the second, and so on, making sure to always address the subjects in the same order. The advantages of this structure are that it continually keeps the comparison in the mind of the reader and forces you, the writer, to pay equal attention to each side of the argument. This method is especially recommended for lengthy essays or complicated subjects where both the writer and reader can easily become lost. For Example: Paragraph 1: Engine power of vehicle X / Engine power of vehicle Y Paragraph 2: Stylishness of vehicle X / Stylishness of vehicle Y Paragraph 3: Safety rating of vehicle X / Safety rating of vehicle Y Devote every other paragraph to one of the subjects. This means that the first paragraph will compare one aspect of a subject and the second, the same aspect of the other subject; the third paragraph will compare a second aspect of a subject and the fourth, the same aspect of the second subject and so on, making sure to always address each subject in the same order. The advantages of this structure are that it allows you to discuss points in greater detail and makes it less jarring to tackle two topics that radically different. This method is especially recommended for essays where some depth and detail are required. For example:Paragraph 1: Engine power of vehicle XParagraph 2: Engine power of vehicle YParagraph 3: Stylishness of vehicle XParagraph 4: Stylishness of vehicle YParagraph 5: Safety rating of vehicle XParagraph 6: Safety rating of vehicle Y This means that the first set of body paragraphs is devoted to addressing every aspect of the first subject and the second set, to addressing every aspect of the second subject, making sure to address each aspect in the same order. This method is by far the most dangerous, as your comparison can become both one-sided and difficult for the reader to follow. This method is only recommended for short essays with simplistic subjects that the reader can easily remember as (s)he goes along. For example:Paragraph 1: Engine power of vehicle XParagraph 2: Stylishness of vehicle XParagraph 3: Safety rating of vehicle XParagraph 4: Engine power of vehicle YParagraph 5: Stylishness of vehicle YParagraph 6: Safety rating of vehicle Y
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One-sentence summary --
Outline your comparison. Use a mixed paragraphs method. Alternate the subjects in each paragraph. Cover one subject at a time thoroughly.