In Bryce Courtenay's The Power of One, an individual tries to teach the main character the importance of thinking and planning rationally rather than just acting on impulse and emotion. He says,

"Say always to yourself, 'First with the head and then with the heart, that's how a man stays ahead from the start.'"

This is part of the reasoning for a goal program that focuses on behavior first. As talked about in another post, many individuals need to separate themselves from the behavior before they can allow themselves to have a change of heart. As long as they are caught in the trap of their mistakes, they seem to believe that nothing can be done for them. Not only that, but unless someone is completely humble, they will most likely resort back to the behavior after a time if they have not learned how to stay away from it. What is the most effective way? Of course for believers in a higher power, it is to be completely humble and learn from Diety step by step. He knows you specifically and knows what your need in a way that no one else can know but by inspiration. But He has also given you the ability to think ahead and make Him a part of your planning. I believe that forward thinking is a skill that we need to learn in this life, especially if we hope to become more like Him. Planning for the future and future situations is simply preparing ourselves so that we aren't fooled by what might be in our hearts at that time.