Time in relation to goals

One of the most important aspects of goals is time. From how goals are set to the dynamics of goal pursuit, time plays an important and multifaceted role. Goals to walk 10 000 steps per day or to call one's parents once a week, for example, are defined by time (e.g. a day or week), pursued over time (e.g. for multiple days or multiple weeks), and subject to constraints on time (e.g. needing to also spend time on work). This article discusses three key ways to think about time in relation to goals: time as a defining feature of goals, as a dimension of goal pursuit, and as a constraint on goal pursuit. I discuss prior research relevant to this organizing framework and conclude with a discussion of emerging topics and opportunities for further investigation.