LIE NO. 7

THINK BIG— NO AIM IS TOO AMBITIOUS

Run a marathon in under three hours, lose 20 pounds in six weeks, secure a promotion two months after being hired— a number of mental trainers preach the following formula for success: “The larger the target, the higher the motivation.” But psychologists now consider this motivational mantra to be dangerous: Think Big is a myth. In the worst case, it can lead to total demotivation— which is the conclusion of Claudia Townsend, assistant professor of marketing at the University of Miami. In a study she has shown that our goals can stand in our way— especially when they are far off. If we are far from our target, the long distance weakens our discipline. It leads to demotivation. To get motivation back on track, psychologists now advise a “step by step” strategy— thinking in small increments. To improve your performance, only think about the next game, the next run, etc. If, for example, you want to climb a mountain, don’t look at the peak, look at the intermediate stages. That way you can draw motivation from the milestones you have already achieved.