What about trying WOOP to move forward? Build resilience a new way!

Feb 9

I have been focusing on resilience for the last few weeks for obvious reasons, I think. I hope you are benefitting from it! Part of resilience is having the right assumptions and thoughts about <our (the) situation.

So, first challenge your beliefs about what is true- make sure your thoughts are real(istic)

Here 3 questions to re-evaluating your thoughts and assumptions– some alternatives that help for a more accurate way to see life, and that lead to a resilient life try asking yourself about the incident or situation:

1. What is a more accurate way of seeing this situation is…

2. What evidence is there about my thoughts/ assumptions- that’s (not) true because…

3. What are the implications of the thoughts/assumptions: a more likely outcome is… and I can (do)…. To deal with it I must…

You must watch out for being either too positive or negative, or for dismissing the tiny grain of truth that IS there, also, watch out for blaming others (or yourself) too much, and finally, watch out for minimizing the importance of the situation — so…

FIRST practice challenging your beliefs and then putting things into perspective AND finally, be concrete:

· stick with what works for you (or get help!),

· don’t worry about the speed at which you do this,

· don’t worry about it being effective

· and it takes lots of PRACTICE

THEN: When you are getting ready for something new to change, try this: mental contrasting to reach your goal and overcome de-motivation using Dr. Oettingen’s method:

W- Wish

O- (best) Outcome

O- Obstacles in the way

P- Plan (to overcome the obstacles)

From Goodreads: “Oettingen applies mental contrasting to three key areas of personal change-- becoming healthier, nurturing personal and professional relationships, and performing better at work.”

The author introduces readers to the stages of mental contrasting using a proven four-step process called

WOOP--Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan—and then the book offers advice and exercises on how to best apply this method to daily life.

Finally, make sure you agree with the pillars of resilience, to move forward:

Resilience Assumption “Pillars”:

1. Life Change is Possible

2. Our Thinking (or ground life stance, in other words) is Key to Boosting Resilience

3. The Thinking must be Accurate to be Helpful (check your ABCs- this is coming next time)

4. A Focus on our personal (human) Strengths is also a Key to being resilient (in other words, do what you can)

If you believe these pillars to be true, you are on your way to becoming more resilient and more successful. Next time I will offers some thoughts more about right thinking and your ABC’s.

Have a wonderful week!

Patricia Jehle patricia@jehle-coaching.com