In fact, the pleasure we gain from positive fantasies allows us to fulfil our wishes virtually, sapping our energy to perform the hard work of meeting challenges and achieving goals in real life. Based on her groundbreaking research and large-scale scientific studies, Oettingen introduces a new way to visualise the future, called mental contrasting. It combines focusing on our dreams with visualising the obstacles that stand in our way. By experiencing our dreams in our minds and facing reality we can address our fears, make concrete plans and gain energy to take action. In RETHINKING POSITIVE THINKING, Oettingen applies mental contrasting to three key areas of personal change - becoming healthier, nurturing personal and professional relationships and performing better at work. She introduces readers to the key phases of mental contrasting using a proven four-step process called WOOP - Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan - and offers advice and exercises on how to best apply this method to daily life.
Through mental contrasting, people in Oettingen's studies have become significantly more motivated to quit smoking, lose weight, get better grades, sustain fulfilling relationships and negotiate more effectively in business situations. Whether you are unhappy and struggling with serious problems or you just want to improve, discover and explore new opportunities, this book will deepen your ideas about human motivation and help you boldly chart a new path ahead. "The solution isn't to do away with dreaming and positive thinking. Rather, it's making the most of our fantasies by brushing them up against the very thing most of us are taught to ignore or diminish: the obstacles that stand in our way."
Share This Book: