The Temporal Dynamics of Goal Systems: How Goal Progress Changes the Drivers of Motivation

In this chapter, I introduce the temporally dynamic goal pursuit model and discuss how this model compliments and advances goal systems theory. This model proposes that goal pursuit is a dynamic process that spans from initiation to completion, such that people are guided by different concerns at the initial stage (i.e., questioning the goal’s attainability) versus the advanced stage (i.e., focusing on closing the remaining gap to obtain value) of goal pursuit. Accordingly, the core elements of goal systems — the number of means, the flexibility of means, and subgoals — will drive motivation differently depending on the stage people are in and their focal concern. I discuss three lines of research findings that provide evidence for this proposition, and elaborate on promising avenues for future research.