Temporal Distance in Goal Setting
Making commitment decisions immediately before work exposes individuals to present-biased temptation, whereas setting commitments further in advance locks in productive intentions despite higher uncertainty.
Picture this
Setting goals the night before is like preparing your workout clothes before going to sleep when temptation is inactive. Even though you face uncertainty about tomorrow's weather or commute, deciding early locks in your high intentions before morning tiredness can convince you to set easier goals.
What the evidence says
Choosing production targets the evening prior under higher environmental uncertainty successfully increased worker net earnings by 3%, proving that greater temporal distance strengthens self-control commitment relative to baseline.
- Who
- N = 102 data entry workers in Mysore, India.
- How
- Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) comparing morning target selection (chosen upon arrival) against evening target selection (chosen the day prior under higher production uncertainty).
What to do
Require workers to select and lock in their daily production targets at the end of the preceding workday rather than at the beginning of the morning shift.
From the source
"Following the same model as the morning targets, this option allowed workers to choose their targets the evening prior to the workday, when production uncertainty was higher..."
The Impact of Commitment Contracts on Workplace Productivity in India