Why you need to keep your intentions private

It’s not uncommon for people to set goals for themselves and that’s great.

But there are some questions. Shouldn't you announce your goals, so friends can support you? Isn't it good networking to tell people about your upcoming projects? The answer: nope.

A plenty of psychology tests revealed that people who talk about their intentions are less likely to make them happen.

Why?



Because announcing your plans to others satisfies your self-identity just enough that you’re less motivated to do the hard work needed.

In 1933, scientists found that if a person announced the solution to a problem, and was acknowledged by others, it was now in the brain as a “social reality”, even if the solution hadn’t actually been achieved.

NYU psychology professor Peter Gollwitzer has been studying this since 1982. Four different tests of 63 people found that those who kept their intentions private were more likely to achieve them than those who made them public and were acknowledged by others.

Once you’ve told people of your intentions, it gives you a “premature sense of completeness.”

Other tests found that success on one sub-goal (eating healthy meals) reduced efforts on other important sub-goals (going to the gym) for the same reason.

It may seem unnatural to keep your intentions and plans private, but try it and you’ll see results!