When plans do not work out: Planning enhances perceived goal progress but increases perceived stress in case of goal failure

Abstract

Planning is thought to benefit goal progress and goal achievement, thus fostering well-being and performance at work. In contrast to this positive view, the present study illustrates that planning might have undesirable effects when goals are not met. Specifically, planning may increase perceived stress in terms of lower control appraisals resulting from goal failure. In a diary study, we asked 192 employees to set daily work goals over the course of five workdays. We assessed planning every morning and perceived goal progress as well as goal failure and perceived stress every evening. As expected, planning was associated with increased perceived goal progress and, in turn, with reduced perceived stress (mediation effect). However, the direct relationship between planning and perceived stress was moderated by goal failure. When goals were achieved, planning was associated with decreased perceived stress; when goals were not achieved, planning was associated with increased perceived stress. The results show that planning positively relates to the perception of goal progress, but if goals are not met, planning may reinforce the resulting perceived stress. To counteract this potential side effect of planning, daily plans should anticipate potential setbacks and incorporate strategies for dealing with failure.