Delmore effect

We tend to have more defined and articulated goals about parts of our lives which has lower priority.

Higher priority parts will have generic goals - if any.

Example

• Low Priority: Buy screwdriver - flat head, green handle, manual. Buy by Thursday. Cost under 100 Rs.
• High Priority: Get a job.

Cause

Higher priority goals will be more complex and hence require more cognitive load to break down effectively. Lower, simpler goals are easier to break down, so we tend do break down only those.

Related: Bike shed effect