The phrase "goal-directed action" is a pleonasm: "action" already implies being "goal-directed", else it's just "movement". We can still refer to it as "goal-directed behaviour" for clarity. What I want to emphasise here is that we are not talking about automatic behaviour, but deliberate activity intending to achieve a particular outcome.
When approaching tasks and goal-directed behaviour, it can be easy to feel stuck, unsure of where to begin, or lost in the details. Most of us get on with this perfectly fine, but can still sometimes trip up, or wish we would avoid doing so entirely.
This blog series introduces a simple framework, born out of intuition and then backed up with a light reading of psychological research regarding goal-directed action. It comprises four component mental models based on familiar items—the Map, Handle, Radar, and Compass.
It offers a practical way to better understand the process of planning, initiating, and adjusting our actions. These metaphors aren't for the sake of imagery; they are meant to be tools for thought, to give ways of viewing challenges and a practical means of improving (or at least monitoring) the aspects underlying goal-directed behaviour.
The Map is probably the only one that would be familiar (it is essentially a plan we make), but even here some contemplation can be beneficial. The others refer to new concepts I came up with.
By thinking of our actions through these four lenses, we gain insight into whether we’re making progress or if we've stalled, and we find more effective ways to move forward. This framework not only covers the big picture of planning but also drills down to the finer details, such as the role of perception, which is often critical to both our actions and goals. Understanding how we process information, how we make adjustments, and how we guide our tasks to completion is a fundamental life skill. When mastered, we achieve greater personal fulfillment and improved problem-solving ability.
Whether or not we consciously think about these components, we all use them to some degree when navigating tasks. By making them explicit, we can clarify our approach to planning, take action more effectively, and course-correct with more confidence. This framework is especially helpful for those who struggle with (or simply want to hone) metacognitive skills of organisation and planning, providing tools to resolve those issues and keep progressing towards one's goals.