The allure of bad plans: Implications of plan quality for progress toward possible selves and postplanning energization

Two studies examined the influence of plan quality on participants' postpla nning affective self-reports. Most Study 1 participants reported positive a ffect after planning for self-change; such positive reports were more promi nent among those who constructed vague, unstructured plans than among those who constructed detailed, structured plans. Experimental Study 2 demonstra ted that the relation between plan quality and consequent affect is mediate d in part by planners' perceptions of imminent goal attainment, that poor p lanning confers the benefit of energization, and that good planning confers the affective liability of anxiety and agitation. Results of both studies suggest that the act of constructing a vague self-change plan provides imme diate affective and cognitive benefits. Thus, plan construction can be a re inforcing activity, in and of itself.