Frustration changed to laughter at some point this week as I listened to pundits talk about how Barack Obama — running around the Middle East and Europe — should stop acting like he’s president. What a hoot. This trip is all about an age-old approach to going for a goal: act as if.

Pick up any respectable motivational, spiritual, financial, or business book and in some form you’ll find this advice — prepare for the outcome you desire. Today’s Game Plan column is about Acting As If It’s Already Yours and includes quotes from William James, Florence Scovel Shinn and Wayne Dyer.

Go ahead, act as if the world is your oyster. See what happens.