Spending a lot of time thinking about hopes and dreams may make one less likely to put in the work required to actually achieve those dreams. WOOP describes how to climb to a place called success. Here’s how:
Wish: First, define your goal. “Think about a wish that is dear to you,” Oettingen said. “What is it you really want? This could be a big, New Year’s–resolution-type ambition, like running a marathon or losing a certain amount of weight, but it doesn’t have to be. “I do it every morning for the next day,” Oettingen said on the podcast. Your wish doesn’t have to be huge; it just has to be real, something you truly want.
Outcome: Here’s where a little bit of positive thinking sneaks back in. Keeping your goal in mind, ask yourself: If this wish of mine is fulfilled, what is the best possible outcome? “Very often, it is a feeling,” Oettingen said. “You define that outcome, and you imagine that outcome. And once you’ve imagined the outcome, really immerse yourself in these daydreams.”
Obstacles: The previous step tends to be where people naturally stop — daydreaming feels pretty nice, after all — but Oettingen isn’t done yet. After you’ve let yourself fantasize for a little while about what it will feel like when your goal is accomplished, bring your mind back down to reality. “Then you say, What is it in me that holds me back from experiencing that wish, that outcome? ” Oettingen said. “Very often it’s an emotion, it’s those same old habits. … And you imagine that obstacle.”
Plan: “Once you’ve imagined that obstacle,” Oettingen said, “you’ll understand what you need to do to overcome it.” Come up with an if/then plan — if this obstacle pops up, thenyou’ll do X to get around it and keep going after your goal.
Read full article here.
After reading the full article, I think I need to add an “A” to complete the loop and make it WOOPA.
A is for Action for without it, nothing happens. 🙂
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