Peter Gollwitzer, psychology professor at NYU, has conducted some wonderfully illustrative research on the modular nature of our mental processes. He identifies four particular categories of thinking: mindsets, implementation intentions, self-defining goals, and non-conscious goals. Gollwitzer is a rare find in academic psychology research — his work is intelligible, practical, and profoundly illuminating.
Resources
This PDF of an article, by Peter Gollwitzer, outlines the basics of implementation intentions. Implementation intentions are states of mind that frame our goal-directed action and can profoundly influence the attainment of our goals.
Mindset Theory of Action Phases, by Peter Gollwitzer
This is an academic article that defines mindset theory and its relevance to goal-setting and goal-achievement.