Happiness is…getting to positive outcomes

31 Jan Happiness is…getting to positive outcomes

Strategies, like implementation intentions, that are meant to enhance our goal pursuit are only really effective when we already have strong goal intentions. Here’s an example of strengthening an exercise intention.

I’ve written at length about the use of implementation intentions to achieve our goals. Implementation intentions provide the “when, where and how” of the action that we’ll enact to achieve a goal.

The thing is, the same research that demonstrates the efficacy of implementation intentions at supporting our goal pursuit also underscores an important pre-condition for success:

                                                For implementation intentions to have the desired effect,
                                                         Strong goal intentions must be made first.

I think anyone who has tried various techniques to battle their procrastination knows this. Tips and techniques to get us moving fall short if we don’t first have a strong goal intention.