Table 1.

Examples of Implementation Intentions

Goal intention: Eat bananas on my cereal for breakfast on [day/date]

Possible implementation intentions to create a plan of goal achievement: When I see Mom after school today, I will ask her to add bananas to the grocery shopping list When I get home from school today, I will check the pantry to make sure we have bananas for my cereal; if we do not have any, I will call Mom and ask her to get some on her way home from work On my way home from school today, when I pass the corner store, I will stop and buy a banana for my cereal

Possible implementation intentions to overcome an anticipated barrier:

Possible barrier: forget to eat a banana on my cereal When I get home from school today, write myself a note to eat a banana on my cereal and tape it to the bathroom mirror When Mom gets home from work tonight, ask her to remind me to eat a banana on my cereal When I get home from school today, put my cereal, a bowl, a spoon, and a banana on the kitchen counter beside the refrigerator