: Oettingen cites studies showing that people who fantasized most about weight loss or finding a job actually lost less weight and received fewer job offers than those with more realistic outlooks. The Solution: Mental Contrasting
The book's foundational claim is that when we vividly imagine reaching a goal, our brains can't easily distinguish the fantasy from reality. Rethinking Positive Thinking: Inside the New Sc...
: Fantasizing about success can lower systolic blood pressure, tricking the body into a state of relaxation and lethargy rather than the high-energy "fight" mode needed for action. : Oettingen cites studies showing that people who