Setting goals that move us toward a target work better than goals where we hope to avoid something.  To help get that idea to stick, here’s some evidence to support this assertion…

• Approach goals are associated with both higher levels of academic performance and increased well-being (Elliot & McGregor, 2001). Evidence Based Coaching
• Coats, Janoff-Bulmand and Alpert (1996) found that people who tended to set avoidance goals had higher levels of depression and lower levels of well-being. Evidence Based Coaching
• Studies have found that the long-term pursuit of avoidance goals is associated with decreases in well-being (Elliot, Sheldon, & Church 1997). Evidence Based Coaching
• Approach goals actually use up less energy because avoiding something takes more mental and physical energy than approaching it.  Creating Your Best Life
• It is thought that approach goals contribute positively to intrinsic motivation whereas avoidance goals do not. Wikipedia

If that’s not enough, think back to a few goals that you’ve set.  Which were easier to achieve and made you happier when you completed them?  Probably those that motivated you to move forward…

But I’m just guessing.

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