Proximal subgoals

You may have heard it said that it helps to break big tasks into small steps. This is good advice, but we want to know more: why is this helpful, and how can we do it most effectively?

In psychology the steps of a task are called proximal subgoals, "proximal" meaning "close by". They are defined relative to distal goals which are our longer-term aims. For example, studying a page in a textbook would be considered a proximal subgoal of the distal goal to learn the material in the chapter. Learning the chapter is itself a proximal goal relative to the more distal aim of mastering the subject, and so on.

Research suggests that proximal subgoals increase motivation by boosting your perceived self-efficacy. People are more motivated when they feel the end goal is attainable for them, and subgoals increase this perception of attainability. Importantly, it is not just the initial setting but the achievement of each subgoal that matters. It's like crossing a river by jumping from stone to stone, growing more confident each time.^[1]

When you are already close to completing something, or have high intrinsic interest in the problem, it may be better to focus on the end goal than to set strict subgoals.^[2] Proximal subgoals are most helpful at the beginning of a new task, when uncertainty about the attainability is highest and it's important to reassure yourself that you can, in fact, do the thing.

Proximal goals work best when they're tied a distal goal that means a lot to you. For example, you may want to do well in school because you are excited about trying a particular career, or because you seek opportunities to help the people you care for. A long-term, self-directed goal gives important emotional context to the work you do in the present, and proximal subgoals in turn give you the structure and confidence to follow through.^[3]