Description
Victorian philosopher William James had a theory about emotion and behavior: It isnโt that our feelings guide our actions (feel happy and you will laugh). On the contrary, it is our actions that guide our emotions (laugh and you will feel happy). This led James to a remarkable conclusion: โIf you want a quality, act as if you already have it.โ Roused by Jamesโs astonishing discovery, renowned psychologist and bestselling author Richard Wiseman confirms Jamesโs principle and shows how the self-help genre has for too long put the cart before the horse in trying to help us take control of our lives. Bringing to the table a dazzling array of firsthand experiments, surprising histories, and psychological case studies, Wiseman illustrates in brilliant detail how we can apply this principle in our daily lives:
โSmile to become measurably happier
โWash your hands to drive away guilt
โClench your fist to increase your willpower
โEat with your non-dominant hand to lose weight
โNod while speaking to become more persuasive
โAct like a newlywed to rekindle your marriage
Lively, engaging, and truly mind-changing, The As If Principle is that rare gem that offers real, workable solutions for your day-to-day goals while helping you to instantly take control of your emotions. Whether itโs quitting a bad habit, persevering through a difficult task, or achieving your dream self, The As If Principle can help. Donโt just think about changing your life. Do it.
ISBN:9781451675054
