To maintain your motivation and persevere in the face of fatigue, regularly visualize the negative consequences of giving up rather than simply imagining your success.

noli's read

This advice is based on solid work in the psychology of motivation, notably by researcher Gabriele Oettingen of New York University. Through several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses, her research on 'mental contrasting' confirms that visualizing only success is counterproductive, as it reduces the energy available to act. In parallel, observational and experimental studies conducted by psychologist Emily Balcetis confirm that focusing on obstacles and anticipating pitfalls strengthens perseverance. However, the claim that this technique 'doubles the chances' of success is a somewhat generous extrapolation of statistical data observed in specific contexts, rather than a universal rule. Likewise, the biological mechanism invoked involving the activation of the amygdala to stimulate motivation remains an interesting theoretical hypothesis, but without direct proof of such a linear causality in real-world situations. In short, anticipating failure or inaction is a validated psychological lever, provided it is associated with concrete planning of the actions to be taken.

the sources

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