PubHawk
J Pers June 2014 PMID 23750603

When the going gets tough: the "why" of goal striving matters.

Nikos Ntoumanis, Laura C Healy, Constantine Sedikides, Joan Duda, Brandon Stewart, Alison Smith, Johanna Bond

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Mentions

36
Peak: 8 in Jul 2025
across 5 sources since Oct 2020

Extended reach

42,135
potential audience

Total likes

1,535

Video views

40,935

Mentions per month

Oct 2020 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • Bluesky28 posts
  • News3 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Blogs2 articles
  • X / Twitter1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions largely revolve around the phrase 'when the going gets tough,' with examples ranging from political figures, activism, and cultural resistance, often emphasizing resilience in difficult times. The tone varies from serious to sarcastic, reflecting different perspectives on perseverance and internal motivation, similar to the article's focus on how internal reasons impact persistence under challenge.

AgreementModerate agreement

Many social discussions echo the idea that resilience and perseverance are vital during challenging times, aligning with the article's emphasis on internal motivation.

InterestModerate interest

The discussions are moderately engaging, with some tone of controversy and political context that sparks curiosity, but many comments are rhetorical or dismissive.

EngagementHigh engagement

Numerous discussions directly reference the phrase 'when the going gets tough,' analyzing its meaning, invoking political figures, or using it humorously, which shows active participation.

ImpactNeutral impact

While some discussions highlight societal or cultural resilience connected to motivation, the overall influence is limited by the often sarcastic or dismissive tone.

Abstract in brief

  • This research explores how different types of motivation—autonomous (internal drive) vs. controlled (external pressure)—affect a person's persistence when working towards difficult goals, especially under increasing challenges.
  • Study 1 involved athletes who pursued a progressively harder cycling task, showing that those with autonomous motivation stayed more persistent and coped better, while controlled motivation led to more threat and disengagement.
  • Study 2 used a priming technique to influence motivation type and found that when autonomous motives were activated, participants persisted longer, experienced more positive feelings, and stayed interested in the task, highlighting the importance of internal motivation for overcoming challenges.
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Bonnie Hunter
@quiltville-bonnie.bsky.social · Bluesky

When the going gets tough, the quilters get quilting!

Jan 31, 2025 · 44 likes · 6 shares View post →
Queerty
@queerty.com · Bluesky

When the going gets tough, the queens get going: Why drag’s rich history should fuel the resistance - buff.ly/XTK9geR

Jul 24, 2025 · 13 likes · 2 shares View post →
Lil Miss Hot Mess
@lilmisshotmess.bsky.social · Bluesky

My latest essay on the power of drag is out now from @lgbtqnation.com: "When the going gets tough, the queens get going: Why drag’s rich history should fuel the resistance."

Jul 22, 2025 · 10 likes · 3 shares View post →
J. Offir, PhD
@joffirphd.bsky.social · Bluesky

Mini-essay

Aug 23, 2025 · 9 likes · 3 shares View post →
Lee Doza
@lorion70.bsky.social · Bluesky

YES YES ... #MAFIALeader #TRUMP47 has no idea... how and why .. when the going gets tough the tough get going! #slavaukraini .. LOVED this from the front. bsky.app/profile/euro... ... not noted but I believe they are both women. WE ARE FED UP with #MAFIAPolitics ... is my new slogan.

Mar 9, 2025 · 4 likes · 3 shares View post →
seanie like a melody
@pressxtosean.bsky.social · Bluesky

I don't understand the phrase "when the going gets tough, the tough get going." if they're so tough why don't they stay and tough it out?

Jun 23, 2025 · 3 likes View post →

All mentions

koenfucius
@koenfucius.bsky.social · Bluesky

When the going gets tough, the wrong thing to do for a leader is fall for the “positivity delusion”. Ben Horowitz used to double down on a sunny demeanour when the waters got choppy. He explains why that was “completely wrong”, and what to do instead: bigthink.com/business/ceo...

Oct 23, 2025 · 2 likes View post →
Elizabeth Edgett
@elizabethedgett.bsky.social · Bluesky

Trump is giving Argentina $40 Billion to secure his escape route. That's why he received a gift of a Qatari jet. When the going gets tough, the Trumps get going... ... to Argentina Just like the rest of the Nazis did after WWII.

Oct 17, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share View post →
Elizabeth Edgett
@elizabethedgett.bsky.social · Bluesky

Hey you STUPID MAGATs: When the going gets tough, the TRUMP gets going... TO ARGENTINA on his QATARI PLANE to live out his life in luxury while you chumps roast in the NUREMBERG 2.0 TRIALS WAKE THE FUCK UP! Why do you think he's giving $40 BILLION to Argentina??? www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...

Oct 17, 2025 · 1 like View post →
Victoria Sanders
@valsandler.bsky.social · Bluesky

This is why we love Oregon. When the going gets tough the weird turn pro.

Oct 12, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share View post →
Simon J
@hobnobking.bsky.social · Bluesky

When the going gets tough, the tough get out their bulging file of reasons why it's not their job to get going.

Oct 10, 2025 · 2 likes View post →
PhilipM
@biblio-phil.bsky.social · Bluesky

If actors, scriptwriters and production crews genuinely support free speech (and why wouldn't they?), they would refuse to work with #Disney. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going". This will be a big test for them. #BoycottDisney

Sep 21, 2025 · 1 like View post →
Mark Cathcart
@markcathcart.com · Bluesky

When the going gets tough, the weak leave town. The rich stay because, why not, they have amassed enough money and there is always room for more.

Sep 16, 2025 View post →
J. Offir, PhD
@joffirphd.bsky.social · Bluesky

Mini-essay

Aug 23, 2025 · 9 likes · 3 shares View post →
Mandy Kilpatrick
@mandypandaren.bsky.social · Bluesky

..The past few months have been the most horrifying of my life politically, I frequently look for the reminder that when we fight, we can win. When the going gets tough, the queens get going: Why drag’s rich history should fuel the resistance www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/07/when...

Jul 28, 2025 View post →
Miliani Rosa Proctor-DaSilva
@sunsetshadowzero.bsky.social · Bluesky

When the going gets tough, the queens get going: Why drag’s rich history should fuel the resistance www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/07/when...

Jul 27, 2025 · 1 like · 1 share View post →
milkboys
@milkboys.bsky.social · Bluesky

When the going gets tough, the queens get going: Why drag’s rich history should fuel the resistance www.lgbtqnation.com/...

Jul 27, 2025 · 1 like · 1 share View post →
Queerty
@queerty.com · Bluesky

When the going gets tough, the queens get going: Why drag’s rich history should fuel the resistance - buff.ly/XTK9geR

Jul 24, 2025 · 13 likes · 2 shares View post →
JoyclinC
@joyrcoat.bsky.social · Bluesky

When the going gets tough, the queens get going: Why drag’s rich history should fuel the resistance www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/07/when...

Jul 23, 2025 View post →
Cameron Kuss
@ckuss.bsky.social · Bluesky

When the going gets tough, the queens get going: Why drag’s rich history should fuel the resistance www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/07/when... I am disappointed in the Marine Corps on is 250 Birthday year for NOT following Enlistement Oaths and Protecting People and the CONSTITUTION! I am sick about it!

Jul 22, 2025 · 1 share View post →
Lil Miss Hot Mess
@lilmisshotmess.bsky.social · Bluesky

My latest essay on the power of drag is out now from @lgbtqnation.com: "When the going gets tough, the queens get going: Why drag’s rich history should fuel the resistance."

Jul 22, 2025 · 10 likes · 3 shares View post →
allisondrewklein.bsky.social
@allisondrewklein.bsky.social · Bluesky

When the going gets tough, the queens get going: Why drag’s rich history should fuel the resistance www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/07/when...

Jul 22, 2025 · 1 like View post →
seanie like a melody
@pressxtosean.bsky.social · Bluesky

I don't understand the phrase "when the going gets tough, the tough get going." if they're so tough why don't they stay and tough it out?

Jun 23, 2025 · 3 likes View post →
Jim
@jimwinwoo.bsky.social · Bluesky

The reason why the Democratic Party won’t get another dime from me. When the going gets tough, the Corporate Dems cuddle up to their moneyed donors & corporations & stay silent.

Jun 21, 2025 · 1 like · 1 share View post →
Christina‘s world
@viennaschatzi.bsky.social · Bluesky

I‘m so sorry to hear this

Apr 9, 2025 · 1 like View post →
bodhi504.bsky.social
@bodhi504.bsky.social · Bluesky

And this is why the felon thinks he can do whatever the hell he wants! I guess when the going gets tough the tough no longer get going, they lay down and quit

Mar 22, 2025 · 2 likes · 3 shares View post →
Gregg Levine
@greggjlevine.bsky.social · Bluesky

You know what they say—when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping! Your tax dollars hard at work:

Mar 11, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share View post →
Liv Junqueira
@junqueiraliv.bsky.social · Bluesky

And I understand why many in the black community are taking a step back. But, I also know this "when the going gets tough, the tough get going." is part of the black community history and blood.

Mar 10, 2025 View post →
Lee Doza
@lorion70.bsky.social · Bluesky

YES YES ... #MAFIALeader #TRUMP47 has no idea... how and why .. when the going gets tough the tough get going! #slavaukraini .. LOVED this from the front. bsky.app/profile/euro... ... not noted but I believe they are both women. WE ARE FED UP with #MAFIAPolitics ... is my new slogan.

Mar 9, 2025 · 4 likes · 3 shares View post →
Mango Seed
@mangoseed.bsky.social · Bluesky

Why are so many government officials resigning? Because when the going gets tough, the tough get going... to their next job!

Feb 1, 2025 View post →
Bonnie Hunter
@quiltville-bonnie.bsky.social · Bluesky

When the going gets tough, the quilters get quilting!

Jan 31, 2025 · 44 likes · 6 shares View post →
mercury2024.bsky.social
@mercury2024.bsky.social · Bluesky

Alright, Jess Phllips? 'Defender Of The Poor And Champion Of The Downtrodden' ... but only in Opposition! Now in government, with Starmer estimating 4,000 pensioner winter deaths, why DID you vote IN FAVOUR of the withdrawal of the Winter Fuel Allowance? When the going gets tough, the tough cave in!

Nov 27, 2024 View post →
Who’s This “We?”
@wecandohardthings.bsky.social · Bluesky

Why we say “They tried to kill us, we survived, let’s eat.” on Shabbat and during that seder … and why, when the going gets tough, the tough tell true stories.

Nov 15, 2024 · 1 like View post →
Mexican Pirate King
@christophicles.bsky.social · Bluesky

Which is why you must continue to fight. When the going gets tough, the tough get going, and so on. Can’t give up when things get…hairy

Aug 10, 2024 · 1 like View post →
Laura Healy
@LauraHealyBob · X

2/2 Want to know more? Check out these five papers which examine the role of the "why" of goals or DM me for more info/access: https://t.co/rPo8wyDQm2 https://t.co/LmEiXr7BvG https://t.co/I58sqg86k5 https://t.co/HDG3fNLKts https://t.co/RDmeKeIoBQ

Jan 14, 2022 · 2 likes · 1 share · 1,144 followers View post →