"Mental Contrasting" goal setting method

Ever set a goal, get hyped, then totally forget about it? This framework fixes that. It’s called WOOP — short for Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, and Plan. Simple, but sneaky powerful.

Why It Works

• Wish: Clarifies exactly what you want
• Outcome: Builds emotional motivation
• Obstacle: Surfaces what could stop you (so no surprises)
• Plan: Creates an “if-then” playbook to dodge roadblocks

Real-World Uses

• Marketers: “If ad click-through drops below 2%, then test new headline.”
• Freelancers: “If I don’t get a reply in 3 days, then send a follow-up.”
• Fitness brands: “If a customer finishes week one, then send a celebration email.”

It’s not just goal setting. It’s goal doing.