As previously introduced, this blog post introduces four mental models for self-direction, or "goal-directed action":
- Map: reference for direction, a plan
- Handle: initial action in a task ('opener')
- Radar: scanning your attention in the moment (self-monitoring)
- Compass: guides goal-directed behaviour, can 'course correct'
The spirit of this is not to be super serious and academic, but more approachable and natural than a formal discussion of psychological research. I simply find these useful mental models, you may too.
The Map
The Map represents the planning phase of goal-directed behavior, providing an overview of what needs to be done and how to get there. It’s the tool we use to chart our course, allowing us to navigate the tasks ahead. Whether it’s a physical planner, a digital calendar, or even a mental representation, the Map helps structure our actions, determining what should be done in the right order and at the right time.
While the Map is typically created at the start of the day or a project, it is not static. As we advance or a situation changes, the Map can be recalibrated to accommodate changes. For example, unexpected events might force us to re-prioritise tasks, and the Map allows us to shift elements around accordingly. This could be as simple as adjusting a time block in a daily planner, moving tasks on a Kanban board, or reorganising events in a calendar app.
The strength of the Map lies in its flexibility. It can be as detailed or as general as needed, but its key function is to provide a reference point for our intentions and commitments. It helps us visualise our priorities and maintain direction. While some may prefer a purely mental Map, having an external, tangible version—such as a document or a shared digital resource—can be especially useful for collaboration or keeping ourselves accountable.
Ultimately, the Map is a fundamental part of planning, allowing us to begin with a clear structure, adjust as needed, and stay on track.
The Map plays a critical role in preceding the execution of tasks because it involves deliberate planning that allows subsequent actions to become more automatic. By creating the Map, we intentionally set up a framework where the next steps can be largely driven by environmental cues, similar to prepared reflexes. This planning phase ensures that once we start, further processing is streamlined and reactive to stimuli, reducing the need for constant conscious direction.
The Handle
While having a plan or a map is important, many people struggle with initiating tasks. A common issue is that we often think too much about the steps leading up to an action rather than focusing on the actual moment of initiation. This is where the Handle comes into play—the mechanism that starts the task. The Handle represents that specific, often small, action that sets everything in motion.
For example, if you want to complete a task on your computer, the first action is not thinking about all the steps involved but simply pressing the power button to turn it on. If you want to dry your hair, the initiating act is switching on the hairdryer. Visualising this single moment of initiation—the Handle—can summon you toward the task, giving you clarity and helping you take that first, often most difficult step.
This is particularly useful when we have a drive or a need but no clear image of how to resolve it. For instance, feeling hungry is a drive, but unless you decide on an action—such as making toast—it remains unresolved. Once the action is chosen, visualising the first step, like pressing the toaster button, can pull you toward completing the task. In contrast, simply looking at food pictures on social media, while related to hunger, does nothing to resolve the drive—it’s not goal-directed behavior.
This distinction is crucial because without identifying and focusing on the Handle, we often fall into unproductive behaviors—getting distracted, postponing tasks, or starting in the wrong place. The first step might seem difficult, but in reality, it’s often the lack of clarity about what that first step should be. Once we identify the Handle—the specific action that starts the process—things often become much easier.
It’s important to note that visualising the Handle doesn’t necessarily guarantee motivation, but it provides logistical clarity. Knowing the exact act that initiates the task, even if only in a momentary mental image, is key to moving forward and avoiding cycles of inaction.
The Radar
The Radar represents the mental process of tracking where our attention is focused at any given moment. While we often talk about planning or starting tasks, we don’t have as much language for describing how we monitor our attention during action. The Radar is a useful metaphor for understanding this process. It’s a mental scan, repeatedly sweeping across the landscape of our attention to detect whether we’re making progress or if something is holding us back.
Just as a physical radar scans its surroundings, picking up objects as they appear in its range, our mental Radar monitors where our focus is. If the same thing keeps coming up—if our attention is stuck on one point without movement—it can indicate that we’re stalled or trapped. This is often a sign that we’re not making progress. For example, in an exam, you might periodically check how many questions you’ve completed to ensure you’re on track. If you haven’t moved forward after some time, it’s a signal to adjust, perhaps by skipping a difficult question and returning to it later.
The Radar also helps detect when we’re caught in unproductive cycles. For instance, imagine you’re deciding where to eat. If 10 minutes pass and you’re still undecided, your Radar might tell you that you’re stuck in a loop, spending too much time considering options without making progress. This doesn’t necessarily mean you abandon the decision, but it may prompt you to make a quicker choice, prioritising efficiency over continued deliberation.
The key function of the Radar is to help us recognise when we’re moving or when we’re stationary. This recognition is critical to staying goal-directed. If our attention is stuck in one place for too long, it can be a sign that we’re not actively moving towards our goal. By periodically scanning our mental environment, we can avoid getting trapped in cycles of overthinking or unnecessary delays, allowing us to stay focused on what matters.
The Compass
The Compass represents how we guide our goal-directed behavior, steering ourselves in the right direction based on various signals we receive from our environment and our internal state. While the Radar tracks where our attention is, and the Map outlines our broader plan, the Compass is what we use to actively adjust our course. It’s the internal sense of direction that allows us to interpret these signals and make real-time decisions about where to go next.
This sense of direction is crucial for course correction. If the Radar shows that we’re stuck or not making progress, the Compass helps us change direction, recalibrating our efforts based on the Map or by choosing a new Handle—the specific action that initiates the next step. For example, when completing one task doesn’t immediately imply what to do next, we rely on the Compass to align us with the Map and guide us towards the next logical task or action.
The Compass isn’t just for emergencies or moments of indecision; it’s an ongoing guide. As we move through tasks, complete steps, and encounter obstacles, the Compass helps us choose our next move, whether it's prioritising a task or changing our approach entirely. It’s what ensures that our actions stay aligned with our goals, even as circumstances shift.
In this sense, the Compass plays a central role in goal-directed behavior. It integrates all the other elements—the Map, the Handle, and the Radar—into a cohesive system that drives us forward. The Map provides the structure, the Radar monitors our progress, and the Compass keeps us moving in the right direction, adjusting and course-correcting as needed. Together, these elements allow us to act with purpose, resolve our drives, and continually move toward the satisfaction of our goals.