<p>We examined associations of spontaneous self-regulatory modes of thought as formalized in fantasy realization theory (indulging, dwelling, mental contrasting, reverse contrasting) with personality traits (HEXACO), demographic background, and chosen goal category. In a cross-sectional study, <i>N</i> = 646 participants answered the HEXACO-60 and background questions, and freely described a short-term goal they wished to pursue. Two independent raters coded participants’ goal categories and self-regulatory modes of thought. Chi-Squared tests and one-way analyses of variance revealed small associations between the spontaneously used mode of self-regulatory thought and personality traits, age, gender, educational degree, and goal category. Spontaneous mental contrasting, the mode of thought known to be most predictive of behavior change and goal attainment, showed a relatively low base rate (12%) as compared to the other modes of thought and was not robustly associated with any personality trait. However, it was associated with lower age, was observed more in female than male participants and in participants holding no degree (yet) than in those holding degrees. Across goal categories, spontaneous mental contrasting remained rare and occurred mainly for self-growth or academic goals. Notable findings with regard to the other modes of self-regulatory thought include less dwelling in participants high on Extraversion (vs. indulging and reverse contrasting) and Openness (vs. reverse contrasting). Taken together, our findings suggest that background variables play a small yet significant role in spontaneous self-regulatory thinking, and that mental contrasting interventions may be helpful across recipients’ personality profiles and goal domains.</p>