Emotional Success - by David Desteno (Paperback)

About the Book

A pioneering psychologist reveals how three emotions can provide the surest, quickest route to success in any realm.

Book Synopsis

"As inspiring as it is practical."--Arianna Huffington, author of Thrive and The Sleep Revolution

A pioneering psychologist reveals how three powerful emotions are the surest path to attaining your goals

Grit, the ability to persevere against all odds, is widely recognized as the key to success. But how can grit be cultivated and sustained? In this myth-shattering book, David DeSteno reveals that the most powerful tools we can draw upon to achieve our toughest goals are not willpower or self-denial, but our prosocial emotions--gratitude, compassion, and pride. In fact, this undervalued toolkit evolved specifically to help us resist immediate temptations in favor of long-term gains. DeSteno breaks down the long-overlooked mechanisms of perseverance built into our brains and shows how we can work with our emotions, instead of denying them, to achieve our goals. And he shows how we can do it with greater ease and deeper satisfaction than we would have thought possible.

"Revolutionary." --Chade-Meng Tan, author of Joy on Demand and Search Inside Yourself

"Anyone who hopes to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life should read this book."--Peter Salovey, professor of psychology and president, Yale University, and discoverer of emotional intelligence

"DeSteno's provocative argument is that the science of success is, in fact, very much the science of social emotions like gratitude and compassion. I, for one, am convinced!"--Angela Duckworth, author of Grit

Review Quotes

"Emotional Success is as inspiring as it is practical. DeSteno shows us how to use our feelings of gratitude, compassion, and authentic pride to improve our lives--and the world."--Arianna Huffington, author of Thrive and The Sleep Revolution. "Are high achievers simply blessed with more willpower than the rest of us? DeSteno's provocative argument is that the science of success is, in fact, very much the science of social emotions like gratitude and compassion. I, for one, am convinced!"--Angela Duckworth, author of Grit. "One of the leading psychologists of our time has discovered the keys to success: our emotions. They give us strength, they help us stick to our goals, they make us better friends and better people. DeSteno shows how gratitude, compassion, and--surprisingly--pride are essential to the good life. Emotional Success is a beautifully written and very important book."--Paul Bloom, professor of Psychology at Yale University and author of Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion "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 "A revolutionary way to achieve our goals that promises to make us happier, healthier, and more resilient along the way. Using persuasive prose and cutting-edge science, DeSteno shows how we can attain grit and grace--the perseverance to succeed combined with the qualities that inspire others as well."--Chade-Meng Tan, author of Joy on Demand and Search Inside Yourself "Anyone who hopes to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life should read this book. DeSteno reveals the hidden power of "prosocial emotions," feelings like pride (but without hubris), gratitude, and compassion. He relies on research rather than anecdote to convince us that these emotions underlie grit and emotional intelligence."--Peter Salovey, Professor of Psychology and President, Yale University, and discoverer of emotional intelligence --

About the Author

DAVID DeSTENO is a professor of psychology at Northeastern University. He is also a fellow of the American Psychological Association, where he is editor in chief of the journal Emotion. His work has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Pacific Standard, and other publications.