Setting Implementation Intentions (Not Goals) Is The Key To Success
Productivity Tools Quick Read
Healthcare students face numerous competing priorities during their undergraduate degrees, with many undertaking further qualifications and courses after graduation while simultaneously adjusting to the demanding environment of everyday healthcare practice. To ensure a successful start in their professional journey, healthcare students and qualified professionals should set clear and well-defined implementation intentions. If goals are the ‘what’ a person wants to achieve then implementation intentions are the when, where and how that actually makes goals a reality. Implementation intentions involve planning specific actions in response to particular cues or situations which might arise, enabling students to respond flexibly to unforeseen circumstances which could knock them off course. The research shows that implementation intentions have a medium-to-large positive impact on goal attainment and a “shielding” effect from “unwanted influences” i.e. distractions and competing priorities.
There are three key steps to developing an implementation intention:
Clearly define your goal. Whether it’s related to wellbeing, studying, or professional development, make it specific and measurable. For example, instead of saying, “I want to study more clinical knowledge”, say, “I will study [a specific clinical topic] (let’s say type 2 diabetes) for 30 minutes in the evening.”
Create an implementation intention by deciding when and where you’ll perform the action. For instance, “I will study the NICE type 2 diabetes guidelines for 30 minutes at 7pm in the library.”
Formulate a contingency plan to overcome obstacles or excuses that might crop-up. This could be, “If I can’t go to the library or I finish work later than expected, I’ll study for at least 20 minutes in the living room”.
By setting these implementation intentions, you transform your goal into a clear and actionable plan which you’ve committed to and suits your schedule, making it more likely that you’ll follow through. This technique leverages the power of habit and reduces the need for conscious decision-making, as your actions become automatic. To ensure implementation intentions become habits rather than just good intentions, it’s important to choose timescales which are realistic regardless of how small the commitment is. If you commit to at least 15–20 minutes studying five day per week you’ll still do at least 75–100 minutes of studying, and maybe more once you get started, rather than nothing at all. Setting unrealistic intentions can be counter-productive and actually reduce your motivation as we’ve all experienced at some point in our lives.
Research has shown that individuals who employ implementation intentions are more successful in achieving their goals, as they are better equipped to navigate the challenges and distractions that can hinder progress. However, research also suggests that setting too many implementation can actually be counter-productive as people become overwhelmed by the difficulty of pursuing multiple goals simultaneously, leading to lower motivation and overall goal attainment.
Bearing in mind the importance of not setting too many goals while undertaking a busy training programme or course, students should consider what’s essential to complete the course successfully. My personal advice to all students though, identify at least one implementation intention focused on health and wellbeing to minimise your stress as any exams and deadlines approach.
References (in case you’re interested):