Is Planning Good for You? The Differential Impact of Planning on Self Regulation

Previous research suggests making plans is generally beneficial for self control. Yet in five experiments we find that planning does not always benefit everyone. Although planning tends to aid subsequent self control for those who are in good standing with respect to their long-term goal, those who perceive themselves to be in poor goal standing are found to exert less self control after planning than in the absence of planning. This occurs because considering a concrete plan for goal implementation creates emotional distress for those in poor goal standing, thereby undermining their motivation for self regulation