Have you ever been in a bad or sad mood but didn't know why? Some researchers call those feelings negative "mystery moods" because they're not easily explained. But contrary to popular belief, research shows that there is a reason fueling your bad or angry mood.
It's your goals. Your nonconscious goals can change your mood and performance.
Ohio State University assistant psychology professor Tanya Chartrand researched the mystery behind bad moods. "If you succeed at a goal you didn't know you had, you're in a good mood and you don't know why," she states. "But if you fail at a nonconscious goal, you're put into this negative mystery mood."
Nonconscious goals & negative mystery moods
We have nonconscious goals at home, work, with friends, and in the community. Chartrand used going to a party as an example: when young people attend parties they consciously think about what they should wear, how they should act, and who they should hang out with. Those conscious goals become nonconscious over time – and are triggered every time they go to a party. When they "fail" at their goals, they fall into a funk or bad mood.
It's the same thing when you go to work or even to the grocery store. Your unconscious goal at the grocery store may be saving money on coffee beans because you're planning an expensive vacation. If you end up buying three types of coffee and spending too much money, you could end up feeling bad. Later you may not attribute your bad mood to the grocery store…but there may be a connection.
Nonconscious goals & performance
"We are succeeding and failing at nonconscious goals all the time," says Chartrand. "Research is beginning to show how this affects our moods, the way we perform, and the judgments we make about others. It's incredibly important."
If you fail at your nonconscious goals, your performance could deteriorate. Chartrand's research has also revealed the opposite: failure causes some people to work harder and achieve better! Perhaps it depends on your personality, the task, or your state of being that day (tired, hungry, preoccupied, etc.).
The importance of nonconscious goals
Chartrand states that nonconscious goals are important because they save us time and energy. If we were always aware of every little goal we have we'd be exhausted before breakfast. Nonconscious goals allow us to live without thinking about what we're doing. It's similar to driving a car without thinking about every little move that's involved.
Pay attention to those mysterious bad moods: they could lead you to an awareness of your nonconscious goals! That insight alone may dissolve your bad or sad mood - and help you understand your personality a little better.
If you enjoyed this article, try Make New Habits & Break Old Ones.
Source: ScienceDaily
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