Three Emotions You Can Put to Work

As you study for a critical exam, hone a new skill, or save to buy a house, you probably rely on planning and raw effort as the main tools for pushing yourself ahead. But some unlikely emotions—gratitude, compassion, and pride—can also fuel persistence, according to Northeastern University psychologist David DeSteno, who makes his case in the new book Emotional Success.

Gratitude

Appreciation for what you already have might seem like an odd source of inspiration, but when you feel gratitude, DeSteno says, "you're not fighting to overcome an impulse for something you want now. You value future gains more." This, he argues, makes it easier to persevere toward a future aim. After writing about an event that made them feel grateful, he found, people were more inclined to hold out for a larger cash reward.

Compassion

"A willingness to sacrifice our own resources to come to somebody's aid is adaptive because, ultimately, people tend to pay it back to us," DeSteno says. Close relationships, he notes, are among the best protections against stress. Compassion for oneself, meanwhile, can help smooth bumps in the road. In one study, students who were encouraged not to criticize themselves too harshly for poor test results later spent more time studying than did others. Self-compassion has also been associated with a stronger drive to practice and to exercise.

Pride

Acknowledging even minor progress can build internal motivation to persist. Study participants who were praised for their score on a visual task spent longer on the next task than those who simply learned that they had scored highly. The pride they reported feeling was linked to greater persistence. "Taking pride in baby steps along the way is rewarding," DeSteno says. "It keeps you focused on the value of the long-term goal."

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