Mental contrasting, which involves imagining the best outcome and then considering the obstacles and creating a plan to overcome them, is more effective than positive fantasies and daydreams about the future in implementing our dreams and wishes.
Using Woop and mental contrasting can help us assess the feasibility of our wishes, identify obstacles, prioritize our efforts, and make more informed choices about where to invest our energy.
Deep dives
The Power of Mental Contrasting and Woop
Gabriel Ootenjan, a world-class expert, shares the power of mental contrasting and Woop in this podcast episode. She explains that positive fantasies and daydreams about the future can be detrimental when it comes to implementing our dreams and wishes. Instead, mental contrasting, which involves imagining the best outcome and then considering the obstacles and creating a plan to overcome them, is more effective. By consciously going through this process, we can calibrate our energy and focus on the feasible wishes while letting go of non-feasible ones. She emphasizes the importance of radical acceptance in situations where desires cannot be changed, like with the ongoing pandemic. Woop serves as a powerful tool to help us balance our energy and make progress towards our achievable goals.
Finding Balance and Calibrating Energy
Gabriel Ootenjan highlights the importance of finding balance and calibrating our energy levels. While optimal energy levels can vary, she suggests putting in enough energy that feels right for each situation. By using mental contrasting and Woop, we can assess the feasibility of our wishes, identify obstacles, and prioritize our efforts. Gabriel encourages us to practice Woop like any other skill, enabling us to make more informed choices about where to invest our energy. She also notes that the process helps us understand what requires radical acceptance and what can be redirected into more promising ventures.
Applying Woop in Different Life Domains
Gabriel Ootenjan explains that Woop can be applied in various life domains, including work and relationships. She emphasizes that mental contrasting helps us separate priorities and focus on feasible wishes. By identifying both the desired outcome and the obstacles we need to overcome, we gain clarity on necessary actions. Gabriel shares how mental contrasting and Woop have been successfully used in decision-making, negotiation, and goal setting. She also highlights the importance of customizing the process to fit personal needs and recognizing that hopes and desires may vary between individuals.
Finding Fulfillment in Work, Love, and Energy
Gabriel Ootenjan reflects on finding fulfillment in work, love, and energy. She suggests that optimal energy levels are subjective, as they depend on the situation. Gabriel acknowledges that putting in too much energy or too little can have uncertain outcomes. Through mental contrasting and Woop, she advises finding the right balance between hope and feasible actions. Gabriel's focus on understanding and accepting obstacles helps guide energy towards productive and fulfilling endeavors. She encourages open communication through her website and expresses interest in partnerships for app development related to mental contrasting and Woop.
