Dr. Gabriele Oettingen: Rethinking positive thinking

Amy Alkon's Advice Goddess Radio: "Nerd Your Way To A Better Life!" with the best brains in science.

My guest today, NYU psychology professor Dr. Gabriele Oettingen, draws on more than 20 years of research on human motivation to show why conventional wisdom on "thinking positively" falls short. On tonight's show, she'll lay out her science-based method for achieving goals and explain why seeing the obstacles and not just the rainbows and pots of gold gives you your best chance for success.

Her book we'll be discussing is Rethinking Positive Thinking: Inside the New Science of Motivation.

Join me and all my fascinating guests every Sunday, 7-8 p.m. PT, 10-11 p.m. ET, at blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.

Please order my new book, the science-based and funny "Good Manners For Nice People Who Sometimes Say F*ck" -- only $9.48 at Amazon. Orders help support my writing and all the work I do to put out this show and are much-appreciated! (Also, along with positive reviews in the WSJ and other publications, Library Journal gave the book a starred review: "Verdict: Solid psychology and a wealth of helpful knowledge and rapier wit fill these pages. Highly recommended.")