Obstacle anticipation

Obstacle anticipation is thinking, before setting out, about the likely blockages ahead. This step is central in Gabriele Oettingen's WOOP method, because merely imagining the goal often does not work when it ignores the real obstacle in the way. The coach asks: 'What is the most likely thing that could derail this plan, and what will you do when it happens?' When an obstacle is seen in advance and tied to a response, it cannot throw the person off course when it occurs. An expected difficulty is less destructive than an unexpected one.