Forget Positive Thinking....Do This Instead

We're often told that success starts with positive thinking. Picture the future you desire, they say, and immerse yourself in it with all your senses. Repeat this enough, and your dreams will manifest. It sounds like magic, right? That's because, in reality, it doesn't quite work that way. Positive visualization does play a role, but it's crucial to temper it with a healthy dose of reality.

This is where mental contrasting comes in. To master this concept, let's turn to the insightful book, "Rethinking Positive Thinking: Inside the New Science of Motivation" by Gabriele Oettingen.

The book deconstructs the significance of mental contrasting and provides a practical framework to employ this skill effectively.

Limits of Positive Thinking

Contrary to the common belief perpetuated by popular psychology—that success begins simply with envisioning a positive outcome—there's more complexity to consider. While positive thinking certainly has its merits, it alone isn't sufficient to catalyze the energy required for action. Research suggests that indulging solely in positive fantasies can lead to complacency, effectively diminishing our drive. This occurs because imagining an ideal outcome may trick our minds into feeling a premature sense of achievement. Such contentment can leave us inert, obstructing the very actions necessary to realize our objectives.

A Better Way: Mental Contrasting

If mere positive thinking isn't the complete solution, then what is? The answer lies in mental contrasting. This technique involves counterbalancing our optimistic visualizations with a clear-eyed assessment of the potential challenges that may impede our progress. By deliberately acknowledging these potential roadblocks, we sharpen our awareness and activate the drive required to surmount them.

Moreover, mental contrasting offers a dose of realism, which is crucial. It guards against the pitfall of unchecked optimism, ensuring we don't overlook the inevitable hurdles we'll face. Being well-prepared for these obstacles significantly increases our chances of successfully navigating them.

W.O.O.P

Okay, so mental contrasting seems to make sense, but how do we actually implement it? Enter the W.O.O.P. Method. The what method? That’s right, we W.O.O.P. it!

W.O.O.P. is an acronym that makes the steps of the process easy to remember. It stands for Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, and Plan. Let's delve into each of these to clarify the method thoroughly.

Wish: This step involves defining a clear and attainable goal. Essentially, what is it that you desire?

Outcome: Once the goal is achieved, identify the benefits it will bring. This is the "why" behind your desire to attain the goal.

Obstacle: In this stage, pinpoint potential obstacles that could impede the achievement of your goal.

Plan: Finally, devise a strategy for reaching your goal. To do this effectively, employ an if-then plan.

If-Then Plan

Here’s how it works:

The Structure of If-Then Plans:

• Conditional Statements: An "If-Then" plan takes the form of a conditional statement that connects a future situation (the "if") with a specific behavior you want to perform (the "then"). For example: "If it is 7 a.m., then I will start my 30-minute workout."

The Purpose:

• Automaticity: The goal of "If-Then" planning is to turn goal-directed behaviors into automatic responses to specific situational cues, which can help bypass habitual ways of thinking or acting that might be counterproductive.
• Overcoming Obstacles: By anticipating possible challenges and pre-deciding how to handle them, individuals can improve their ability to cope with difficulties and stay on track with their goals.

How If-Then Plans Enhance Goal Achievement:

• Specificity: They force individuals to define clearly and specifically when, where, and how they will take action toward a goal.
• Strategic Forethought: By considering possible obstacles in advance, individuals are better prepared to handle them as they arise.
• Mental Linking: By mentally linking anticipated situations with desired actions, individuals can strengthen the cognitive association between the cue and the behavior.

Closing Thoughts

As we close this edition of our newsletter, let's remember that while positive thinking sparks the dream of success, it's the strategic approach of mental contrasting that forges the path to make it a reality.

Gabriele Oettingen's "Rethinking Positive Thinking" has equipped us with the W.O.O.P. method—a practical tool to balance our aspirations with the tangible steps needed to achieve them.

By setting clear goals (Wish), understanding their value (Outcome), identifying potential obstacles (Obstacle), and crafting actionable plans (Plan), we transform positive visions into achievable outcomes.

The If-Then plans further refine this process, ensuring our responses become second nature when faced with challenges.

Embrace this blend of optimism and realism to navigate the journey of achievement more effectively.

Here's to transforming our wishes into triumphs—one W.O.O.P. at a time.

About Me

My name is Anthony Delonardo, and I've been passionate about high performance for as long as I can remember. Over the past 10+ years, I've immersed myself in the world of personal improvement, constantly seeking out tools and techniques that are backed by science and actually work.

Through my journey, I've gained a deep understanding of what makes the best performers tick and how they think about getting better.

Now, my goal is to share my insights and actionable steps with others, so they don't have to sift through the noise and trial and error that I did.

I believe that by building a like-minded community of individuals striving to improve themselves, we can create a better, more high-performing world.

In my professional life, I've held multiple senior management positions in sales, leading teams of professional sellers in a highly competitive industry. Through my experiences, I've honed techniques that work in high-pressure situations, leaving no room for anything that doesn't get results.

I'm thrilled to share my thoughts and ideas with you and thank you for joining our community.

Let's strive for greatness together.