"Most people believe their actions are guided by good intentions. And often that's true: People genuinely want to be healthier, more present, more disciplined, more honest. But if you listen carefully to how people explain their behavior-why they didn't go to the gym, why they avoided a hard conversation, why they "meant to" meditate-you'll hear three very different psychological forces at play: intentions, reasons, and excuses."
"Intention: A Future-Focused Commitment An intention is a conscious decision about the future you want to create. It's the inner declaration that says, This is the direction I'm choosing to move toward. In psychological research, intentions are central to prospection, the mental process of imagining and planning for future possibilities. The Theory of Planned Behavior, one of the most influential models in behavioral science, consistently shows that intentions are among the strongest cognitive predictors of action. 1 They identify who you want to become."
An intention is a conscious, future-focused commitment that orients attention and energy toward who one wants to become. Intentions are central to prospection and, according to the Theory of Planned Behavior, function as strong cognitive predictors of action but do not guarantee follow-through. Reasons identify real obstacles and practical barriers that explain why intended behaviors do not occur and point to solutions that can close the intention–behavior gap. Excuses defend comfort, rationalize avoidance, and preserve the status quo, thereby preventing progress. Distinguishing these three forces enables targeted strategies for real behavior change.
Read at Psychology Today
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]