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Rethinking Positive Thinking

Rethinking Positive Thinking

Inside the New Science of Motivation
by Gabriele Oettingen 2014 240 pages
3.70
1k+ ratings
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Key Takeaways

1. Positive fantasies alone can hinder goal achievement

Dreaming about the future makes people less likely to realize their dreams and wishes (as does dwelling on the obstacles in their path).

Positive thinking isn't enough. Contrary to popular belief, simply visualizing success doesn't lead to achieving goals. In fact, it can have the opposite effect. Studies across various domains - weight loss, dating, job seeking, and academic performance - consistently show that individuals who engage in positive fantasies about their desired outcomes are less likely to take action and achieve their goals.

The relaxation trap. Positive fantasies provide a temporary feeling of satisfaction and relaxation, which can sap motivation. When we vividly imagine achieving our goals, our minds and bodies react as if we've already succeeded. This leads to:

  • Decreased energy and motivation to pursue the goal
  • Lower systolic blood pressure, indicating reduced physiological preparedness
  • Less effort expended on goal-directed activities

Skewed information processing. People who indulge in positive fantasies tend to:

  • Selectively seek out information that supports their fantasies
  • Ignore or downplay potential obstacles and challenges
  • Develop an unrealistic view of what it takes to achieve their goals

2. Mental contrasting connects dreams with reality

When we perform mental contrasting, we gain energy to take action.

Balancing dreams and reality. Mental contrasting involves two key steps:

  1. Vividly imagining a desired future outcome
  2. Identifying and contemplating the obstacles in present reality that stand in the way

This process helps individuals:

  • Gain clarity on their goals and the challenges they face
  • Determine which goals are feasible and worth pursuing
  • Mobilize energy and resources for attainable goals
  • Disengage from unrealistic or low-priority goals

Expectancy-dependent effects. Mental contrasting works differently based on an individual's expectations of success:

  • High expectations: Increased motivation, energy, and goal-directed behavior
  • Low expectations: Decreased motivation and disengagement from the goal

This mechanism helps people allocate their resources efficiently, focusing on goals they believe they can achieve while letting go of those that seem unrealistic.

3. WOOP: A powerful four-step strategy for goal attainment

WOOP is an opportunity to get unstuck and come out of your shell.

The WOOP process:

  1. Wish: Identify a challenging but attainable goal
  2. Outcome: Vividly imagine the best result of achieving the goal
  3. Obstacle: Identify internal barriers that might prevent success
  4. Plan: Create an if-then plan to overcome the obstacle

Versatility and accessibility. WOOP can be applied to various domains:

  • Personal goals (health, relationships, self-improvement)
  • Professional objectives (career advancement, productivity)
  • Academic pursuits (studying, test performance)
  • Short-term and long-term aspirations

The simplicity of WOOP makes it accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, from children to adults, and across different cultures and socioeconomic conditions.

Scientific validation. Numerous studies have demonstrated WOOP's effectiveness in:

  • Increasing physical activity and healthy eating
  • Improving academic performance and study habits
  • Enhancing interpersonal relationships
  • Reducing stress and improving work engagement

4. Nonconscious cognitive processes drive behavior change

Mental contrasting forges a link between the future and the reality, but it was specifically in this order: first future and then reality.

Automatic associations. WOOP works by creating nonconscious links in the mind between:

  • Future outcomes and present obstacles
  • Obstacles and the behaviors needed to overcome them

These associations operate outside of conscious awareness, automatically priming individuals to:

  • Recognize obstacles when they arise
  • Implement planned behaviors to overcome challenges
  • Maintain focus on goal-relevant information

Cognitive readiness. Mental contrasting prepares the mind for action by:

  • Increasing the accessibility of goal-related thoughts
  • Enhancing the ability to detect obstacles in one's path
  • Facilitating the recognition of opportunities to pursue goals

Physiological changes. WOOP can lead to measurable changes in the body, such as:

  • Increased systolic blood pressure when pursuing attainable goals
  • Heightened arousal and readiness for action
  • Sustained energy for goal pursuit over time

5. WOOP improves health, relationships, and academic performance

WOOP participants reported approximately one hour per week more physical exercise than before the intervention and as compared with the information-only control group.

Health benefits. WOOP has been shown to:

  • Increase physical activity and exercise adherence
  • Improve healthy eating habits and fruit/vegetable consumption
  • Enhance recovery from chronic pain and injuries
  • Reduce alcohol consumption in college students

Relationship improvements. WOOP can help individuals:

  • Reduce insecurity-based behaviors in romantic relationships
  • Increase willingness to seek help and support from others
  • Improve communication and conflict resolution skills

Academic and professional success. WOOP has led to:

  • Higher grades and improved study habits
  • Increased completion of practice tests (e.g., PSAT)
  • Better time management and project completion
  • Enhanced creativity and problem-solving skills

These improvements often persist long after the initial intervention, suggesting that WOOP can create lasting behavior change across various domains of life.

6. Overcoming fears and anxieties through mental contrasting

Mental contrasting helped students overcome an anxious and unjustified fantasy and approach the object of their fears.

Addressing irrational fears. Mental contrasting can be adapted to help individuals:

  • Confront and overcome unjustified anxieties
  • Distinguish between realistic and unrealistic fears
  • Develop more balanced and rational perspectives

The process for fear reduction:

  1. Identify the feared negative outcome
  2. Vividly imagine this worst-case scenario
  3. Identify positive aspects of current reality that contradict the fear
  4. Create an if-then plan to manage anxiety when it arises

Applications. This technique has been successfully used to address:

  • Social anxieties and phobias
  • Test anxiety and performance fears
  • Health-related worries
  • Interpersonal concerns (e.g., fear of rejection)

By helping individuals confront their fears and recognize contradicting evidence in their present reality, mental contrasting can lead to increased confidence and willingness to engage in previously anxiety-provoking situations.

7. Integrating WOOP into daily life for lasting change

WOOP is your trusty companion through life, whether you're eight or eighty-eight.

Developing a WOOP habit. To maximize benefits, integrate WOOP into daily routines:

  • Practice WOOP at consistent times (e.g., morning, before bed)
  • Apply WOOP to both short-term and long-term goals
  • Use WOOP in various contexts (work, personal life, relationships)

Flexibility and adaptation. As you become more familiar with WOOP:

  • Adjust goals based on new insights and changing circumstances
  • Refine your understanding of internal obstacles
  • Experiment with different types of if-then plans

Tools for consistent practice:

  • WOOP smartphone apps for on-the-go goal setting
  • Written WOOP exercises for deeper reflection
  • Mental WOOP practice for quick application in various situations

Long-term benefits. Regular WOOP practice can lead to:

  • Improved self-awareness and insight
  • Enhanced decision-making skills
  • Greater resilience in the face of challenges
  • A more balanced and fulfilling approach to goal pursuit

By making WOOP a consistent part of your life, you can develop a powerful tool for self-regulation, personal growth, and achieving your most important aspirations.

Last updated:

Review Summary

3.70 out of 5
Average of 1k+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

Rethinking Positive Thinking challenges the common belief that optimism alone leads to success. Through extensive research, Oettingen demonstrates that positive fantasies can actually hinder goal achievement. She introduces the WOOP technique (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan) as a more effective approach to realizing aspirations. While some readers found the book repetitive and data-heavy, many appreciated its scientific rigor and practical applications. The WOOP method resonated with readers, who found it helpful in various aspects of life. Overall, the book offers a refreshing perspective on motivation and goal-setting.

Your rating:

About the Author

Gabriele Oettingen is a Professor of Psychology at New York University and the University of Hamburg. Her research focuses on how people think about the future and its impact on cognition, emotion, and behavior. Oettingen's academic background includes biology, behavioral physiology, and psychology. She has conducted research at prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Max Planck Institute and the University of Pennsylvania. Oettingen's work has been funded by the MacArthur Foundation, and she has held academic positions in Germany and the United States. Her expertise in motivation and goal-setting has led to the development of the WOOP technique, which has gained recognition in the field of psychology.

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