Move Toward? #

In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), the concept of workability refers to whether a particular behavior or strategy is effective in helping an individual to move toward their valued goals and live a meaningful life. A behavior or strategy is considered “workable” if it leads to positive outcomes and is consistent with an individual’s values, even if it is uncomfortable or difficult in the short-term.

Psychological Flexibility #

The concept of workability is closely related to the idea of psychological flexibility, which is a central goal of ACT. Psychological flexibility involves being able to adapt to changing circumstances and respond to internal experiences (such as thoughts, feelings, and sensations) in a way that is consistent with one’s values and goals.

Internal Values vs. External Norms #

In ACT, workability is evaluated in the context of the individual’s values and goals, rather than external standards or norms. For example, a behavior that might be considered “maladaptive” or “pathological” in a clinical setting (such as avoidance or substance use) might be seen as “workable” in the context of the person’s life circumstances and values. Alternatively, a behavior that might be seen as “adaptive” or “successful” in the short-term (such as overworking or people-pleasing) might be seen as “unworkable” if it prevents the individual from pursuing their values or leads to negative consequences in the long-term.

Meaningful Change #

By focusing on workability, ACT encourages individuals to be flexible and open to experimenting with different behaviors and strategies in pursuit of their values and goals, rather than rigidly adhering to a particular way of thinking or acting. This can help individuals to break free from unhelpful patterns of behavior and make meaningful changes in their lives.