Emotional Success: The Motivational Power of Gratitude, Compassion and Pride

“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.