Whoomp! (There it is)

Whoomp! (There it is) may be the secret musical trigger to help you achieve your goals. New York University psychologist Gabriele Oettingen has developed a four-step plan from her years of research on motivation. She defines each step by using the acronym WOOP—which is close enough to the song to make it a useful musical reminder. This 4-step plan works well on personal and professional goals. Start small and see quick results, then use that success and muscle memory to conquer larger goals such as a promotion, a new job, or a great vacation.

W- Wish: Define your wish— your goal. Make it vivid and enjoy the visualization.

O- Outcome: What is the best outcome you can imagine? See it, feel it, taste it so it becomes real in your thoughts.

O- Obstacles: What are the obstacles holding you back from achieving this goal? Is it fear, time, work habits? See them realistically so you have a clear picture in your head.

P- Plan: What plan do you need to overcome the obstacles? Now that you’ve “felt” the enjoyment from visualizing your Wish and Outcome, and “seen” the Obstacles, develop “if/then” plans to overcome the different hurdles.

This combination of visualizing your goals, the obstacles, and the necessary action steps is more effective than just channeling positive thinking and hoping for good results. Put your energies into positive outcomes, work if/then plans to overcome obstacles, and enjoy the rewards of reaching your goals.