A lot of us entrepreneurs are putting emphasis on getting things right and getting things done at the start of this new year. For most of us our goal is to set ourselves in motion so that we can keep this momentum and get fueled to action.
My start of the year was very different from what I wanted it to be. Waiting for a doctor in the ER for a medical issue that although not exactly life threatening, did give me a jolt and a pause.
The past few days I was given the chance to slow down as compared to rev up and go full force to the start of the year. It gave me the opportunity to really sit down with my body and my thoughts. It also gave me the stillness to reconnect with my aspirations.
One of the techniques I love using in the process of connecting to my dreams is the WOOP technique of Gabriele Oettingen, author of the book Rethinking Positive Thinking. I even wrote about this in my chapter of The Better Business Book 3rd edition (and is now in the Amazon Bestseller list!).
The WOOP technique is a science-backed way of making your ideas and aspirations a reality. When you WOOP, you think about your ultimate goal, the best possible outcome, the obstacle(s) that may stand in the way, and to plan for getting around those roadblocks.
In the WOOP TECHNIQUE, the first one is Wish.
What is it that you wish to achieve?
What is it that you aspire?
What do you want to create in your life?
What do you want to create today/this week/this month/in the next 90 days? (set your own timeframe)
Spend the time to really dive deep in this. Look at your various life areas and check-in with yourself, imagine, expand this vision. Have a time frame to it. Be very specific. Think of something that feels exciting, challenging and feasible. Try to name this wish in 3–6 words.
Wishes are thoughts vibrant with life and eager for action. - Mary Martin