Gabriele Oettingen from New York University has done a fantastic job of showing how fantasizing and day-dreaming about your goals can actually sap your motivation to turn them into reality. Instead, use a technique called mental contrasting to contrast your goals with the current obstacles and reality you are facing to create an impetus for action.

WOOP:

What`s your wish?

What`s the #1 positive outcome/benefit?

What`s the #1 internal obstacle holding you back from achieving your goal?

What`s your plan to overcome that obstacle?