Obstacle anticipation before close

Before ending, ask "what could get in the way?" and pre-plan the response.

Why it works

Mental contrasting — imagining the desired outcome and then the obstacles between here and there — is significantly more effective for follow-through than positive visualization alone. Naming a likely obstacle before it happens converts it from a surprise that derails to a planned contingency that triggers a pre-committed response.

How to do it

1. After the Will commitment is made, ask: "What could get in the way of you doing this?"
2. For each identified obstacle, ask: "And if that happens, what will you do?"
3. Record the if-then plans alongside the commitment.
4. Keep the obstacle list honest — this is not pessimism, it is preparation.

Evidence

Mental contrasting combined with implementation intentions (MCII / WOOP) shows stronger effects on follow-through than positive visualization or bare intention alone in multiple randomized studies. (rct)

The WOOP/MCII research is on the combined method; obstacle anticipation within GROW is a practitioner adaptation of these principles rather than the same studied procedure.

Sources

• Oettingen et al. (2010), WOOP/mental contrasting research, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

Common mistake

Treating the commitment as done once stated, and ending the session there — which leaves the coachee with a plan but no contingency for the obstacles that predictably arise.