Approach or Avoidance?
Wednesday, March 16, 2022Before you even start on striving towards a goal, it is really important to make sure that the goal you’re working towards is the right one.
It can be helpful to have a simple checklist in mind. And one factor that I would include is this: Approach or Avoidance?
+ Approach Goals
Approach Goals are goals with positive outcomes, which you work towards. An example would be: I am aiming to secure 20 new clients this month.
+ Avoidance Goals
Avoidance Goals are goals with negative outcomes, which we work to avoid. An example would be: I am aiming to not lose any clients this month.
Moving towards something you want [aiming for the presence of something positive] is far more intrinsically motivating than moving away from something you don’t want [aiming for the absence of something negative].
So keep this in mind, when you’re reflecting on the ends you’re working towards. And if you find yourself aiming for an Avoidance Goal, why not ask yourself: how could I reframe this, to make it an Approach Goal?
Tags: career-coaching, life-coaching, Melbourne