Which process helps individuals guide their goal-directed activities over time?

Self-regulation is a critical process that enables individuals to manage their behavior and emotions in pursuit of their goals over time. It encompasses the ability to set personal standards, monitor progress, and adjust actions based on outcomes and feedback. This process involves reflecting on one’s performance, recognizing when a change in approach is necessary, and implementing strategies to achieve desired results.

Self-regulation plays a vital role in both personal and professional development, as it encourages individuals to be proactive and adaptable to changing circumstances. It fosters resilience and persistence, allowing individuals to stay focused on their long-term objectives despite short-term challenges or setbacks. This capacity is essential for anyone looking to refine their abilities and successfully navigate their goal-directed activities.

In contrast, others like motivation to transfer primarily deals with the application of learned skills in new contexts, performance management focuses on evaluating employees' performance and improving it through feedback, and learning agility refers to the ability to learn from experience and adapt those lessons to new situations. While important, these concepts do not specifically address the overall process of guiding one’s activities over time in the way that self-regulation does.