WOOP

Ever heard the term (acronym, really) WOOP?  Neither had I.  It’s a goal setting/ habit changing tool supported by 20-years of scientific research.  I learned about the technique from the free happiness class Yale offers online.

What is WOOP?

Gabrielle Oettingen, an NYC psychology professor, has written the book and done the research on WOOPing.  WOOP stands for Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan.  You focus and visualize on a goal or change you’d like to make for five minutes a day.  To me it feels like a cross between mediation and self-hypnosis.  It goes like this.  You spend five, undistracted minutes, truly visualizing the following:

W: Your wish.  Something you want to change or achieve.  Big or small.  Long term or short term.

O: The outcome of achieving your wish.  What will happen if you get it?  What will your life look like?

O: What obstacles will get in your way?  Envision what road blocks you’ll come across and what might stop you from getting where you want to go.

P: Make a plan using if-then statements.  If (this obstacle arises) then (I’ll combat it with this action).

What You Really Want

You are supposed to be honest with yourself and determine if you really want the […]

WOOP2020-09-18T12:32:36-04:00

Setting Intentions

A few months ago I started taking a yoga class for the first time in about 17 years.  I’ve always struggled with holding poses in yoga.  I’m not so good at the stillness, so I’ve often stayed away from yoga.  For the most part, this power yoga class moves pretty fast and the moves are fun and challenging but manageable.  I’m really enjoying the class even though it requires me to get up early on a Sunday.  One of the aspects that I’ve come to really appreciate is setting an intention at the start of each class.

Focus

It gives me a focal point that I can return to when my mind wanders or I’m frustrated on my progress or discomfort in a pose.  I think, “Well, Maggie, your intention was to breathe, so focus there and see if it helps or what you notice” or “your intention was to find comfort, so ease off today and let it be comfortable”  This is a simple idea and no shocking surprise that it’s a way to refocus, but I definitely never appreciated that concept years ago.  And in a world that moves at a […]

Setting Intentions2019-01-16T15:00:48-05:00

Plank Story: Milk a cow

It was suggested to me that this is the best angle to photograph milking a cow.

Finally!!!  I milked a cow.  For years I’ve wanted to milk a cow, which is a challenging task to complete in Connecticut.  If a farm sells their milk, they are not allowed to let uncertified hands touch their cow’s udders.  Unless you have a friend with a cow, it’s unlikely you’ll be milking a cow in this state.

That is until Matt discovered Local Farm in Cornwall, Connecticut.  Debra Tyler, the owner for Local Farm sets up a great day for groups.  You milk a cow and within an hour you have made butter, cheese and have prepared yogurt and sour cream that will be ready the next day.  Within two hours, you have made ice cream.  You enjoy all the food with the others at the workshop pot luck style.  It’s a wonderful way to spend three hours.

In Awe

I was amazed all day.  I had no idea how much food a single milking produced.  It’s truly unbelievable how much food one cow creates.  Using only our small sample of people as a gauge, I […]

Plank Story: Milk a cow2018-11-27T07:39:02-05:00

Zentangle Better than Meditation

  The PE Team and their Zentangles The PE Team and their Zentangles


Adult coloring books are all the rage lately.  I snicker each time I see one because apparently part of me is still twelve years old, and that part imagines that I’ll open the “adult” coloring books and discover naked images to color in, but that’s never it.  They are usually beautiful patterns or serene scenes.  I tried it.  I hated it.  It felt like an added stressor, something else to do, and I always felt like I could have picked a better color.  Plus, it’s boring.  So I gave my adult coloring book away.

Our first ZentanglesMeanwhile, in a similar vein there is Zentangle.  While they don’t like the word “doodle,” conceptually, it’s basically mindful doodling.  You wouldn’t think you need a lesson in how to doodle, but you do, at least if you want your doodles to look like art.  The images you create look cool and intricate, even though the patterns are simple to make.

Janet teaching us

Zentangle Better than Meditation2017-12-29T21:30:51-05:00
Go to Top