Read on Twitter
Why can’t you “Just Do It” when you want to achieve a goal?
It all comes down to bridging the gap:
The INTENTION-ACTION GAP
Here’s what science tells us about how to follow thru plus the 2 BEST strategies to help you achieve any goal.
/THREAD/
It all comes down to bridging the gap:
The INTENTION-ACTION GAP
Here’s what science tells us about how to follow thru plus the 2 BEST strategies to help you achieve any goal.
/THREAD/
In my 9-5, we spend a lot of time researching aspects of this problem.
The intention-action gap describes our inability to translate what we want into action.
Knowing how to close the gap is the diff btwn a life of daydreaming about ur achievements & making them a reality.
The intention-action gap describes our inability to translate what we want into action.
Knowing how to close the gap is the diff btwn a life of daydreaming about ur achievements & making them a reality.
A major study (Sheeran, 2002) found that intentions explain only 28% of the variance, on average, in our future behaviour.
In other words, there’s a lot else getting in the way of making things happen than just the presence or absence of our good intentions.
In other words, there’s a lot else getting in the way of making things happen than just the presence or absence of our good intentions.
So, what’s going on?
Failing to follow thru on goals can happen at 3 different stages:
GETTING STARTED
KEEPING ON TRACK
CLOSING THE DEAL
Failing to follow thru on goals can happen at 3 different stages:
GETTING STARTED KEEPING ON TRACK CLOSING THE DEAL
GETTING STARTED
What gets in the way?
Sometimes it’s just forgetting to act
A study found 8% of ppl forgot to follow thru on their action after just a 5 sec delay
24% forgot after 5 sec when their attention was distracted!
Phone reminders, fridge notes, etc. can help.
What gets in the way?
Sometimes it’s just forgetting to act
A study found 8% of ppl forgot to follow thru on their action after just a 5 sec delay 24% forgot after 5 sec when their attention was distracted!Phone reminders, fridge notes, etc. can help.
MISSING OPPORTUNITIES TO START:
2nd thoughts (“goal revision in situ”, as the kids say) can be a problem when ppl don’t see the emotional baggage opposing their goal.
Plus tempting alternatives that lead u to justify going off course (that piece of cheesecake in the fridge?).
2nd thoughts (“goal revision in situ”, as the kids say) can be a problem when ppl don’t see the emotional baggage opposing their goal.
Plus tempting alternatives that lead u to justify going off course (that piece of cheesecake in the fridge?).
LACK OF PREPARATION:
Goals often require a sequence of actions so you need to set up your environment to be supportive.
Get that gym gear sorted and by the door for the morning.
“If you fail to prepare, you’re preparing to fail”
Goals often require a sequence of actions so you need to set up your environment to be supportive.
Get that gym gear sorted and by the door for the morning.
“If you fail to prepare, you’re preparing to fail”
KEEPING ON TRACKGoals can be derailed easily if u don’t monitor progress.
Tracking progress highlights the gap btwn your current & desired state.
But many ppl fail to check their bank account regularly or consciously track their diet.
Some don’t track progress intentionally, that’s the “The Ostrich Problem” concept.
We don’t want to know how far off we’ve strayed from our goals which would be both depressing and might cause harm to our self-image.
We don’t want to know how far off we’ve strayed from our goals which would be both depressing and might cause harm to our self-image.
CLOSING THE DEAL ( Failing to successfully meet your goal)This includes a few things:
Giving up before the goal is reachedRepeatedly doing dumb things Lack of focus/ overextending yourselfHow best to fix this? Read on
The 2 Best Tools to Close the Intention-Action Gap #1 - “IF-THEN” Plans
Making “If-Then” plans (or “implementation intentions”) has been found to be one of the most effective ways to help people to follow through with intentions.
How do you make IF-THEN plans?
THE STEPS:
What’s the goal?
What actions do I need to take?
What are the likely obstacles (update as you go)
What’s an effective way to overcome them?
Write it down → “If X happens, then I will _____”
THE STEPS:
What’s the goal? What actions do I need to take? What are the likely obstacles (update as you go) What’s an effective way to overcome them? Write it down → “If X happens, then I will _____”
#2 - MONITOR PROGRESS
Research shows progress monitoring leads to a higher success rate in achieving goals.
U can track ur progress however u like but studies show that it’s most effective when physically recorded (e.g. diary or app) and when made public (to trusted peers).
Research shows progress monitoring leads to a higher success rate in achieving goals.
U can track ur progress however u like but studies show that it’s most effective when physically recorded (e.g. diary or app) and when made public (to trusted peers).
So those are some quick thoughts from the University of “Git ‘Er Done”.
What other advice would you share on what works for you?
Or what obstacles do you deal with repeatedly?
Drop a reply or send me a DM!
What other advice would you share on what works for you?
Or what obstacles do you deal with repeatedly?
Drop a reply or send me a DM!
