To-Go Thinking or To-Date Thinking?

Research shows that an individuals perspective on his or her own progress has a profound effect on accomplishment. They found that people who are pursuing goals focus on either what remains to be done — “to-go” thinking — or how far they have come already — “to-date” thinking. Although both can increase motivation, researches say to-go thinking accelerates accomplishment when individuals are committed to a goal.

In a marathon, should you think of the 18 miles you already completed or the 8.2 miles to-go? When we are committed to a certain goal, focusing on past accomplishments tempers motivation. However, if we consider what we have left to do, motivation is not only sustained but quickened. When we do to-go thinking, we compute what we have accomplished and where we want to be. After detecting the difference between the two, we narrow the gap by applying greater concentration and effort.

To-Go thinking increases motivation by drawing attention to progress yet to be made. When donors attention was drawn to the funds needed to complete the campaign (as against what is raised), people who care about the cause increase their pledge donations. They perceived that progress was not being made quickly enough and contributed. To-go thinking prompts us to focus on the ground we have left to cover.