Emotional success - David DeSteno

"EMOTIONAL SUCCESS is as inspiring as it is practical. DeSteno shows us how to
[...] improve our lives - and the world." - Arianna Huffington, author of Thrive and The Sleep Revolution

"If you think the key to self-control is overriding your emotions, think again. Moral emotions can strengthen your willpower - and this fascinating book uses the latest social science to explain how." - Adam Grant, author of GIVE AND TAKE, ORIGINALS, and OPTION B with Sheryl Sandberg

Gratitude, Compassion and pride - not willpower - hold the secret to achieving your goals.

Using cutting-edge research, world-leading psychologist David DeSteno shows you how positive emotions are far more powerful than willpower and self-denial in achieving your goals. Willpower is quickly depleted, but our prosocial emotions become stronger the more we use them. Even better, they're contagious.

Cultivating gratitude, compassion, and pride leads to better cardiovascular health, immune function and sleep
Students who feel proud of their work will work 40% harder and longer than others
Empathy and compassion are the best predictors of team success

Our prosocial emotions evolved specifically to help us resist immediate temptations in favour of long-term gains. But they can also be adapted to strengthen our bonds with our own future selves - who will benefit most from the grit we need to succeed in life.