Planning and the Implementation of Goals

Abstract

Determining the factors that promote successful goal pursuit is one of the fundamental questions studied by self-regulation and motivation researchers (Gollwitzer & Moskowitz, 1996; Oettingen & Gollwitzer, 2001). A number of theories, and supporting empirical data, suggest that the type of goal chosen and the commitment to that goal are important determinants in whether an individual carries out the behaviors necessary for goal attainment( e.g., Ajzen, 1985; Atkinson, 1957; Carver, Chapter 2, this volume; Carver & Scheier, 1998). Within these models, choosing or accepting a goal or standard is the central act of willing in the pursuit of goals. We agree with this contention but will argue in this chapter that further acts of willing should facilitate goal implementation, in particular, when goal pursuit is confronted with implemental problems (e.g., difficulties with getting started because of a lack of good opportunities; sticking to an ongoing goal pursuit in the face of distractions, temptations, and competing goal pursuits). Such acts of willing can take the form of making plans that specify when, where, and how an instrumental goal-directed response is to be implemented. More specifically the person may take control over goal implementation by making if-then plans (i.e., from implementation intentions) that specify an anticipated critical situation and link it to an instrumental goal-directed response.