The Limits of Positive Thinking

The idea that positive thinking can guarantee success has been overstated, according to research by Gabrielle Oettingen, professor of psychology at the University of New York. She found that visualising success can give people a feeling of satisfaction and achievement before they have earned it, and subsequently reduces motivation. Instead, an approach she calls WOOP (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan) combines optimism with a clear understanding of obstacles, which helps build achievable goals. A positive outlook is only useful when it is tempered with caution and paired with realism, and plans that can adapt to difficulties as people move forward.