Oettingen’s research demonstrates that finding the obstacles for the future is useful in two ways. First, if the number of obstacles that get in the way is too large, then it can actually help people to decide effectively when they should give up on a goal. Second, when the obstacles are potentially manageable, then contrasting the present with the future gives people an opportunity to plan for how to overcome those obstacles that do come up. The idea is that this set of steps helps people envision a desired future and plan for it in ways that are likely to energize them to achieve that desired future. The book gives a number of specific exercises that people can use for their own goals.