Our research goal was to create a flexible multi-modal exercise based on significant findings from the goal achievement literature. While we achieved favorable results, there were several limitations to this study.
The first limitation is that we used convenience sampling. Since one of us works within the graduate business school of a university, we chose to recruit participants from a pool of available graduate students, faculty and staff, and a group of visiting business people participating in a week-long executive training program on campus.
Although we sent out follow-up surveys after the original post-survey, we received limited responses. Therefore, we did not obtain enough data to determine if our research design results were long-lasting.
Still, another limitation is that new research, reported by Charles Duhigg (2014), suggests that people are more likely to change when new habits are chunked into small behaviors and repeated. Duhigg explains that this automatic chunking practice occurs within a three-step process that includes a cue or trigger, then a routine, and a reward. The three-step process is similar to Gollwitzer’s (1993) work on implementation intentions that we relied upon. Our research experiment ran 2½-3 hours. Suppose people make more changes when an experience is delivered in small doses. In that case, it is possible that the NeuroStroll™ contains too much variety, novelty, and stimulation for one session and would be more impactful in multiple sessions, with time in-between for experimentation with each new goal attainment strategy. More research is necessary to pinpoint the best way to present this multi-modal approach for maximum benefit, and especially for executive coaches who want to employ multi-modal approaches in their coaching engagements.
Implications
This preliminary study supports providing people with a menu of options for working toward goal achievement rather than searching for a singular “best way” to change. The multi-modal experiential approach also offered novelty and a sense of play. These two elements facilitate creativity and memory formation. The NeuroStrollTM allows people to sample different cognitive, somatic, or relational goal achievement strategies through various exercises. Some people may need to use multiple techniques to affect change, while others could depend on one or two that prove most useful.
We conducted the beta versions of the NeuroStrollTM in person, with participants working in table groups and obtaining peer support through conversations. Current circumstances point toward considering whether to offer this educational intervention in a virtual format or solo participants rather than groups. The post-study comments about sharing the experiences fit with common knowledge that most of us find it helpful to make public commitments and have some type of accountability partner. Thus, incorporating that relational aspect of goal achievement will need to remain part of the NeuroStrollTM when designed to be offered in different formats.
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