The third method is called mental contrasting, and it combines elements of the other two methods. It means concentrating on a positive outcome and simultaneously concentrating on the obstacles in the way. Doing both at the same time, Duckworth and Oettingen wrote in a recent paper, “creates a strong association between future and reality that signals the need to overcome the obstacles in order to attain the desired future.”
3 strategies to approach long-term goals: optimists envision how great it'll be to succeed, pessimists dwell on obstacles in the way, but only successful strategy is to think about both at same time…think of obstacles but also how to overcome them and achieve goal…come up with ways to identify and head off obstacles in advance (sort of getting close to nudge i think).
[note: not sure what this nudge reference means.]
