WOOP Method: Achieving Work and Personal Goals in 4 Steps


The WOOP method is an effective approach that helps you achieve goals. The WOOP method combines principles from psychology, behavioral economics, and neuroscience. Whether you're striving for team objectives in the workplace or pursuing personal dreams, applying the WOOP method can significantly enhance your success rate. In this article, we will introduce the WOOP method and share how to use this method in real life.


Table of Contents

  • What is the WOOP Method
  • Benefits of the WOOP Method

What is the WOOP Method?


The WOOP method was proposed by psychologist Dr. Gabriele Oettingen.

"WOOP" is the acronym from the words "Wish," "Outcome," "Obstacle," and "Plan." Through these four steps, people can set specific goals for different situations to enhance their achievement rate.

🌟Step 1: Wish - Write down the goals you want to achieve

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

When formulating your goals, it's important to provide specific details, such as the frequency of actions per week, the duration of each practice session, or the target achievements within a particular timeframe. These specifics contribute to better clarity and achievement tracking.

  • Personal Goal:

    ❌ I want to become healthier. ⭕ I want to exercise three times a week consistently for three months to improve my physical health.

  • Work Goal:

    ❌ I want to increase work efficiency. ⭕ I want to maintain focus on my tasks during each workday and complete at least two cases before getting off work.

Step 2: Outcome - Imagine the results of achieving your goal.

Photo by Emma Simpson on Unsplash
Photo by Emma Simpson on Unsplash

The more vividly you imagine the scene or results of successfully achieving your goal, the more it can stimulate your motivation to take action. For example, the exact amount of salary increase, the increase in leisure time, the decrease in body fat percentage, or even imagining future scenarios. This can stimulate your motivation.

  • Personal Goal:

    When I succeed in consistently exercising three times a week for three months to improve my physical health, I'll be able to lose at least two kilograms. I'll also experience healthier life and enjoy greater emotional stability. These changes will boost my confidence and physical status to tackle the challenges in my life.

  • Work Goal:

    Once I fully concentrate on my tasks during each workday and can complete at least two cases before getting of work. I'll experience a stronger sense of accomplishment. This will fix with the long time issue of post-work anxiety about pending tasks.

🌟Step 3: Obstacle - List obstacles you might encounter during the process.

Photo by Blocks Fletcher on Unsplash
Photo by Blocks Fletcher on Unsplash

You should list the obstacles that may arise during the execution process, whether they are internal such as lack of motivation or time constraints, or external such as environmental factors and the influence of others. The purpose is to identify potential obstacles, proactively consider solutions, and potentially adjust goals accordingly.

  • Personal Goal:

I aim to engage in physical activity three times a week and maintain this routine consistently for three months. However, next month, I have a one-week business trip abroad, which might make it challenging to find the energy and time to exercise. Therefore, I plan to skip one session during that week and resume my routine after returning home.

  • Work Goal:

My objective is to complete at least two tasks before the end of each workday. Nevertheless, there might be unforeseen instances where urgent tasks are assigned by my supervisor, causing a delay in planned assignments. To account for this, I will allocate a buffer of two hours when scheduling my to-do list for the day.

Step 4: Plan - Formulate Concrete Plans

Photo by Eric Rothermel on Unsplash
Photo by Eric Rothermel on Unsplash

You should outline detailed actions, conduct regular self-assessments, and maintain flexibility and room for adjustments in your plan. For instance, you can create a schedule based on the start and end times of each step, set reminders, and establish small rewards (to encourage yourself to follow the plan).

For long-term or challenging goals, proactive scheduling might be necessary. With the assistance of Tricuss Schedule Assistant, you can swiftly incorporate meetings or tasks from your plan into your calendar!

Use Tricuss Scheduling Assistant to quickly finish your calendar 💫

Benefits of the WOOP Method


1. Clear Structure

The WOOP method provides a clear structure that helps individuals systematically contemplate how to achieve their goals and simulate potential obstacles.

2. Motivational Impact

The WOOP method emphasizes cultivating a positive mindset. By Integrating envisioned outcomes into your plan, you can stimulate motivation and drive for execution, enhancing commitment and effort toward your goals.

3. High Practicality

The WOOP method is applicable to various goals, whether they involve teamwork, learning, health, or personal growth. Understanding the principles allows for versatile application across different contexts.

4. Emphasis on Flexibility

The WOOP method underscores maintaining flexibility when crafting plans, allowing for adjustments to accommodate different circumstances and potential obstacles. This includes modifying or even redefining goals.


That’s the end of our sharing. We hope that the simple "WOOP Method" can help you achieve your goals. By utilizing motivation, concrete planning, and adaptive adjustments, you'll be better equipped to overcome challenges. You are also encouraged to use Tricuss Schedule Assistant to quickly schedule your meetings or tasks in your plan into your calendar.

Use Tricuss Scheduling Assistant to quickly finish your calendar 💫