How Positive Fantasies Can Sabotage Your Goals
Psych 🧠 - 366/500
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What is it?
This research paper investigates the impact of positive fantasies about the future on energy levels and achievement.
It challenges the notion that simply imagining positive outcomes is beneficial, arguing instead that indulging in such fantasies can actually sap energy and hinder the pursuit of desired goals.
Major Findings:
Positive fantasies decrease energy: Across four studies, participants who engaged in positive fantasies showed lower levels of energy compared to control groups. This was measured through both physiological indicators (systolic blood pressure) and self-reported feelings of energization.
Lowered energy leads to reduced achievement: Participants who fantasized about positive outcomes (e.g., getting a good grade, having a great week) subsequently showed lower levels of actual achievement on related tasks.
The effect is stronger for pressing needs: Positive fantasies were particularly de-energizing when they addressed a currently pressing need (e.g., getting a good grade when facing an exam).
When a more basic physiological need was salient (e.g., thirst), fantasies about satisfying that need had a stronger impact on energy.
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What do I need to know:
Positive fantasies can be counterproductive for achievement: Indulging in idealized visions of the future can actually drain our energy and motivation to pursue those goals in reality.
Focus on realistic expectations and planning: Instead of simply fantasizing about success, it's more beneficial to consider potential challenges and develop strategies for overcoming them.
Addressing pressing needs first: When facing multiple goals, prioritize those that are most urgent or important to avoid being sidetracked by fantasies about less pressing needs.
Source:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002210311100031X?via%3Dihub