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Approach-oriented goals involve reaching or maintaining desired outcomes. Avoidance goals focus on avoiding or eliminating undesired outcomes. Although both types of goals are common in our lives and both are functional, one goal-type is associated with more happiness than the other. I also think that there's something to learn about procrastination here. Read More
Is the goal of 'reducing
Is the goal of 'reducing procrastination' also an avoidance goal?
Would it be better to think of it as 'increasing productivity' ?
Avoidance goals and self-change projects
Yes, in fact these sorts of avoidance goals are particularly problematic. I'll get one of my graduate students to write a follow-up blog to describe the processes involved. In short, you're absolutely right that it's a much better strategy to set up an approach goal (get my work done) than an avoidance goal (procrastinate less).
tim
learning methods of shifting goal types?
This is fascinating and new to me. Are there studies of personalities who use avoidance goals almost exclusively? I have severe issues with time management. Reading the descriptions of goal setting, I realize that I tend to turn even "approach" goals into "avoidance" goals in order to complete them, and tend to avoid or minimize whatever gratification they bring. I'll keep following links here, but would love to read more if I could be pointed toward something relevant.
learning methods of shifting goal types?
This is fascinating and new to me. Are there studies of personalities who use avoidance goals almost exclusively? I have severe issues with time management. Reading the descriptions of goal setting, I realize that I tend to turn even "approach" goals into "avoidance" goals in order to complete them, and tend to avoid or minimize whatever gratification they bring. I'll keep following links here, but would love to read more if I could be pointed toward something relevant.
Procrastination
I am also fascinated by the idea of your study. One problem I can see, so far as making the study work, is eliminating study participants who have the slightest problem with depression. I do not know how procrastination works for the mentally healthy person, but for the depressed, it is one of the major forces in life. And there are those who do not fully understand that some of their issues, procrastinaton and others, are due to undiagnosed depression. I am reading your post because I am putting off going to bed, and I came across your post while googling "avoidance goals." Thank you for your work. I will check back here often. Yes, I have been treated for depression, have been in therapy, and can remember being depressed as early as age five. And I have always been a gold medal procrastinator.
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