WOOP: Stop Your Projects from Stalling with this Simple Framework
If you’re like most creatives, you’ve got half-finished projects lurking everywhere. Drafts on your hard drive, canvases leaning against the wall, maybe even a Google Doc graveyard of “ideas I’ll totally get back to eventually.” What you need is a plan to actually finish the ideas you already have.
That’s where WOOP comes in. It’s basically a cheat code for motivation and momentum.
What Is WOOP?
WOOP stands for Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan. It’s a simple framework, but don’t underestimate it. Used right, it can keep you from falling into the same traps of procrastination, perfectionism, or good old-fashioned distraction.
The beauty of WOOP is it’s short, memorable, and forces you to think ahead. So when you hit the wall (and you will), you already know what to do instead of defaulting to Netflix and doomscrolling.
W = Wish (What Do You Want?)
Start by being honest: what do you actually want to happen with this project? Not the vague “I want to be more creative,” but something concrete like:
“I want to finish drafting my short story.”
“I want to release my demo EP.”
“I want to paint for 30 minutes a day.”
Your wish should be clear and actionable, not some pie-in-the-sky dream you can’t measure.
O = Outcome (What’s the Win?)
Now imagine what it looks like if you succeed. What’s the payoff? How will you feel?
Picture yourself uploading that EP, hitting “publish” on your site, or standing back to admire a finished painting. Use this vision as fuel. Your brain needs to see the reward so it believes the work is worth it.
O = Obstacle (What Trips You Up?)
Here’s where WOOP earns its stripes. Name the monster under your bed. What’s the real mental or practical block that usually derails you?
Do you lose steam when things stop feeling “fun”?
Do you get paralyzed by perfectionism halfway through?
Do you just forget because life is busy and TikTok is shiny?
Call it out. Be blunt. Pretending it’s not there just guarantees it’ll smack you in the face later.
P = Plan (What’s Your Move?)
This is the tactical piece, and the most important. Decide ahead of time what you’ll do when the obstacle shows up.
Examples:
When I start doubting the quality, I’ll keep writing for ten more minutes before deciding anything.
When I feel stuck, I’ll switch to sketching instead of scrolling.
When I get distracted, I’ll set a timer for 15 minutes and get back on track.
Keep the plan stupid simple. Then, to really lock it in, say it out loud three times. Yes, you’ll feel a little silly. But your brain loves repetition, and it’ll stick way better than just thinking it once.
Why WOOP Works
Without a plan, we default to our old habits: procrastinating, self-doubting, or quitting halfway. WOOP hijacks that autopilot by forcing you to prepare for the moment you’d normally cave.
It’s not magic. It’s just mental rehearsal. And rehearsal beats regret every single time.
Your Turn
Grab a notebook or open a blank doc and WOOP your next project. Write down:
Wish – What do you want to finish?
Outcome – What’s the win?
Obstacle – What’s in the way?
Plan – What will you do when it hits?
Then, say your plan out loud three times. It’ll feel weird. But do it anyway.
Ready to Stop Stalling?
If you’ve got a project that just won’t move forward, let’s WOOP it together. I help artists and creatives build consistency, cut through mental clutter, and finally finish.
