Question

We were told for years that positive thinking was the key to achieving our goals. Now more and more evidence suggests exactly the opposite: that spending a lot of time thinking about your hopes and dreams may make you less likely to put in the work required to actually achieve those dreams. So if positivity is out, what should we replace it with?

New York University psychologist Gabriele Oettingen talked about a four-step plan she’s come up with from her years of research. Oettigen explained the plan as WOOP.

Wish: First, define your goal. “Think about a wish that is dear to you,” Oettingen said. “What is it you really want? This could be running a marathon or losing a certain amount of weight.” Your wish doesn’t have to be huge; it just has to be real, something you truly want.

Outcome: Keeping your goal in mind, ask yourself: If this wish of mine is realized, what is the best possible outcome? “Very often, it is a feeling,” Oettingen said, “You define that outcome, and you imagine that outcome.”

Obstacles (障礙): After you’re let yourself daydream for a little while about what it will feel like when your goal is accomplished, bring your mind back down to reality. “Then you sat, ‘What is it in me that holds me back from experiencing that wish, that outcome?’” Oettinger said. “Very often it’s an emotion, it’s those same old habits. And you imagine that obstacle.”

Plan: “Once you’re imagined that obstacle,” Oettingen said, “you’ll understand what you need to do to overcome it.” If this obstacle pops up, then you’ll do something to get over it and keep going after your goal.

Oettingen’s research has shown that this method has helped people eat more fruits and vegetables; it’s also helped students achieve better grades in school, and it has even helped people act less insecure in their romantic relationships.

1.In the traditional opinion, what is the key to achieving our goals?

A. Positive thinking. B. Enough evidence.

C. Opposite suggestions. D. Replacement of positivity.

2.The word “reality” in Paragraph 5 probably refers to the fact that ________.

A. you have imagined more than you can do

B. you are held back by some obstacles to achieve

C. you have never experienced such a wish or outcome

D. your emotion contributes to forming your same old habits

3.The examples in the last paragraph are used to ________.

A. prove WOOP’s effectiveness

B. encourage readers to be positive

C. offer more possible practical outcomes

D. attract more people to apply this method

4.The method WOOP works mainly because you ________.

A. have a strong wish B. keep a goal in mind

C. come up with a plan D. overcome an obstacle

Answer 1