Introduction.
Future Work Selves (FWSs; Strauss et al., 2012), cognitive representations of one's hopes and aspirations related to work, have been widely recognized as motivators of proactive career behaviors. To explain this relationship, previous research has predominantly focused on the extent to which FWSs are clear and easy to imagine (i.e., salient), while largely overlooking the affective dimension involved in envisioning FWSs.
Purpose.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the previously neglected role of affect associated with FWSs and to examine its motivational potential, as well as the factors that influence the level of affect individuals experience. This is critical for developing a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms that enhance proactive behaviors. We argue that, beyond the role of salience, the affective dimension motivates proactive career behaviors by energizing individuals and sustaining motivation toward future-oriented goals.
Method.
To substantiate our hypotheses, we conducted two studies. Study1 relied on a three wave-survey with a sample of graduate students (N = 220) who were asked to write about their FWSs. We gathered data on personality (T1), FWS salience and FWS positive affect (T2), and proactive behaviors (T3). Study2 is an experiment conducted on a sample of employees, that is expected to confirm preliminary text analyses identifying which characteristics of the narratives predicted higher levels of FWS affect.
Results.
Study1 showed that, after controlling for FWS salience, higher levels of positive affect in envisioning the FWS were significantly associated with proactive career behaviors. Expected results from Study2 are that experienced affect is positively influenced by process-oriented narratives while the acknowledgment of over-optimism negatively influences the relationship.
Conclusions.
This study advances the literature on FWS by identifying positive affect as an additional mechanism driving proactive career behavior and by uncovering narrative dimensions that enhance the positive affect associated with FWSs.