The motivation to achieve objectives is a crucial element to achieve them. The lack of solid arguments that justify maintaining constancy to acquire a new habitto move forward a personal project or achieve professional objectives contributes to that initial thrust to dilute over time and end abandoning your goals.
The woop method is a positive thinking technique By mental contrast that puts the dreams, objectives and desires of people on the table, and confronts them to the difficulties that will be on the way. That allows differentiating the “cravings” of consolidated objectives and desires, helping you to prioritize those objectives that really improve your life and are in your hand to achieve.
In short, it is a strategy that allows those who put it into great dream, while providing it with The necessary tools to overcome the inevitable challenges that will be in the process.
What is the woop method
The woop method is the acronym for words in English for desire (wish), result (outcome), obstacle (hindered) and planning (plan). It is a planning strategy that combines the visualization of positive results (desires and objectives to achieve) with the identification and planning of the obstacles that will appear on the way until they reach those goals.
Unlike other approaches, which focus solely on optimism (pursue your dreams and come true because you are worth it), Woop gives a realistic and strategic vision to achieve them being aware of the steps that must be taken and that will not be a path of roses.
This methodology is based on the “mental contrast with implementation intentions” (MCII) defined In a study by Gabriele Oettingen, Professor of Psychology at the University of New York State and the University of Hamburg, and author of the book “Rehinking Positive Thinking“. Oettingen has more than 20 years studying Human motivation and has detected great shortcomings in positive thinking.
In Your studiesOettingen has discovered that positive thinking alone is not enough to achieve the objectives. Dreaming is finebut it is the obstacles of the way that make us grow and improve our skills to achieve the sets set.
How to apply the woop method
The first step, Desire (wish)it implies identifying a specific, challenging but realistic desire. At this point we must not be influenced by the expectations of others, but by what you really want to achieve, no matter if a personal or professional desire: to obtain an ascent, do more sports, work less hours, or eat healthier.
The second step is Result (outcome). Here it is visualized what that desire would be to achieve. It would be necessary to imagine that the objective has been achieved and it is convenient to identify what positive feelings and the benefits would get to achieve it. Allow yourself to dream and experience that feeling of achievement.
This second point continues to remain within the positive thought zone, but it already allows differentiating from what is a “whim” from what are real objectives and, therefore, to which priority must be given.
The third step refers to Obstacle (hindered). Here We begin the questioning of dreams and contact with reality. To carry it out, honesty and self-reflection is required. What internal obstacles exist (fears, doubts or bad habits), and prevent you from achieving your desire? Identify those obstacles in the most specific way possible.
A 1977 study From the American Psychological Association revealed that becoming aware of them, you are already marking a path to solve them and continue advancing, or on the contrary, it makes you take a more expand vision of your options to achieve it.
In addition, by identifying these obstacles, the perspective of the obstacle is changed. For example, if your goal is to eat healthier, identify industrial pastries as an obstacle, it allows you to see it from another perspective: it is no longer so much sacrifice to give up this short -term whim, because the long -term objective is another and has priority.
Finally, Planning (Plan)It consists of creating a “si-then” plan to overcome those obstacles. For example, if your goal is reduce sugar consumptionan approach for this point could be: “If you invite me to a party and there is a cake, I sign up for the party and socializo. I take coffee, I share time with friends, but I will not try the cake. If someone asks me, I can explain my goal openly.”
In short, it is about drawing a contingency plan to the possible obstacles of the previous point, so that they cease to be a problem.
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