Ulterior Motives

How goals, both seen and unseen, drive behavior

Art Markman is a cognitive scientist at the University of Texas whose research spans a range of topics in the way people think. See full bio

May 28, 2009, Happiness

Comments on "If you want to succeed, don’t tell anyone."

If you want to succeed, don’t tell anyone.

By Art Markman, Ph.D. on May 28, 2009 in Ulterior Motives

I am a regular reader of the New York Times obituaries. Read More

Announcing Intentions

Submitted by Ian on May 28, 2009 - 6:47am.

Thanks for telling us about this study. I have to admit, though, that I find the news a bit confusing.

When my parents quit smoking, part of the material the doctor provided for them suggested that they tell people about their intention to quit. Supposedly, this would help them to stick to their intentions.

But then, perhaps when dealing with an identity goal as opposed to breaking a bad habit, the opposite is true. Unless the habit is part of one's identity...

What kind of sample size participated in the study you described?

Great question

Submitted by Art Markman, Ph.D. on May 28, 2009 - 6:54am.

Ian,

I think you're right. The big issue here is that these are identity goals. So, they have to do with how you want to be perceived by others. When you tell other people about these goals, you have begun to change your identity in your eyes, which seems to decrease your motivation.

For breaking bad habits, it is useful to have significant others to help you along. That pressure from your social network can help you to refrain from a bad behavior when you might have trouble alone.

Finally, there were 4 studies in the paper I cited in this entry. Each study had about 60 participants in it.

very interesting finding!!

Submitted by farouk on May 29, 2009 - 2:22am.

very interesting finding!!

Motivation

Submitted by Ed on May 30, 2009 - 12:42pm.

This brings to mind the methods parents can use to praise. Gottman (and others I'm sure) recommend praising actions specifically. I think this relates. Instead of focusing on general character, focus on specific accomplishments. Let the body of accomplishments build the identity, don't jump ahead and presume the identity.

Also, what about that other motivational strategy, the harsh critic? It's painful to watch, painful to receive, but I have observed it's effectiveness a number of times. I imagine someone with the identity goal of being strong, getting told they are weak, and trying that much harder to achieve their identity goal.

So if someone comes to you saying "I'm going to be the best chess player!" the proper response I suppose isn't "you already are," but "right now you suck" probably isn't necessary either, motivational effect notwithstanding. Anyone study this yet?

It's true!

Submitted by Caitlin on June 10, 2009 - 7:13pm.

This is so fascinating to me! It totally supports what I have noticed in my own life. I have wanted to write a book for a long time, and a few times I had ideas about what to write about. I have noticed that the moment I state my intention to do it, or tell my husband the book idea, I lose all of my motivation to actually sit down and write.

I guess next time I know to keep my mouth shut!!

shhh! (if you want to succeed)

Submitted by AngeloJdlR on June 11, 2009 - 4:45am.

.
I'm not really sold to the conclusion of this article.... Uness those who told others of their objective have pretty weak commitments for the same, how could telling others deminish their intentions? Having told others--would that not be an incentive ("dyahe" kung hindi ituloy as we say in Pilipino [it will be embarrassing not to go ahead what you tell others you will do]) to forge ahead? Unless, one's identity is that of a vacillating, wishy-washy person! Or is your and mine's take on the matter a difference of culture?

I agree.

Submitted by Kara on June 18, 2009 - 7:15pm.

I think this study is right. I relize this has happened to me sometimes. I actually learned that I did better with my goals when I didn't tell anyone until I knew I was truly deicated to them.

Thanks for posting this

Submitted by Empowering Parents on June 30, 2009 - 11:36am.

Thanks for posting this information.

It depends on the person

Submitted by Anonymous on September 2, 2009 - 12:35pm.

This sounds cliche, but I think it depends on the person. In the past I have announced my intentions to achieve some very lofty goals, career and personal. I fulfilled these goals with great success. My identity was that I could conquer anything and I would prove it to the world regardless of what anybody else thought. The more people doubted me the more motivated I became. Some people perform better under pressure and others perform worse. As is the case in many fields of life, it helps to know yourself.