The Power of Negative Thinking

And How It Can Be a Powerful Route to Joy, Success and Satisfaction

By: Oliver Burkeman

Narrated by: Oliver Burkeman

To achieve any major life goal, conventional wisdom tells us we must think positively. Picture yourself delivering the perfect presentation and it shall be so; envisage the ideal job interview and it will go well; imagine yourself sprinting first across the finish line and you will romp home as champion. While these strategies sound compelling, they have been shown to backfire.

Oliver Burkeman explores why people are often more successful - as are organisations, armies and governments - when they focus on reasons they are likely to fail; asks where happiness comes from, and whether we look for it in the wrong places; explores a phenomenon that has come to be called 'fungineering' – attempts to boost happiness in the workplace; and confronts what many of us see as the most negative of all experiences: death.

In a special one off episode, The Impostor's Survival Guide, Oliver Burkeman explores why so many of us spend our working lives feeling like impostors on the brink of being found out. Where do these feelings come from and are we alone? Oliver talks to individuals who've reached the top of their field whether in the arts, business or medicine about how they all feel like impostors from time to time. He'll also examine the latest research that suggests its more prevalent than ever. What's changed about how we live and work today that leaves so many of us with these feelings. And what can be done about them? Is just admitting to one another that we all feel same way enough?

©2019 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2019 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Good points and referencing

So much needed points to debunk the positivity only trend. So much misery is created by the positivity only mindset. Good to be remembered that we are all humans with much larger spectrum of emotions and motivations.

Perfect Follow-up to "Addicted to Busy"

Oliver Burkeman perfectly outlines how positive thinking is likely to backfire. This is a great introduction to Burkeman's perspective. I particularly enjoyed the final chapter on imposture feelings and imposturism.

If this is the first you've heard of Burkeman, you are in for a treat! Once you finish with this, enjoy "The Antidote", "Addicted to Busy", and "Why Are We So Angry?".

Checkout his appearance on the 10% Happier podcast too!

Very useful for those of us motivated by non-happy thoughts

I saw this title and knew it was for me.

I love to daydream of how wonderful it is going to be when… but the nothing happens. I don’t have a need to do the activity because I’ve already felt good. The book nails how that is going on in your head.

Less anyone be concerned: the book does not belittle you or scare you into behaving. Rather it addresses how useful negative emotions can be. In my case for example, I don’t do my taxes until I tell myself how terrified I’m going to be if the government comes and gets me. It works every time!

This book is short because it is amazingly unfluffy. I highly recommend it.

One caveat: a small portion of the audiobook has the actual speakers tell their stories. I couldn’t understand what is either an Irish, Scottish, or Welsh accent very well.

against the usual wisdom

several books later from Burkeman, and I am facing a polar bear, meaning once mentioned, I can't get it out my head. in hindsight, it unraveled all the things, books, seminars, failed routines, and more. finally, a way to be ok with who I am. negative thinking and all. 🙂

Another gem from Oliver Burkeman

There is something about Oliver Burkeman’s choices of topics and the way he creates new pathways in my brain to different ways of looking at negative things, that alleviates my anxiety and overthinking… like enjoying a long chat with an longtime and brilliant friend 🙏🤍 This audiobook was interesting and inspiring.

Trump Syndrome is a compliment

An accomplished person can exist without being a syndrome or abnormality. Trump is such a person

More like a podcast.

I really enjoy reading Oliver Burkeman, but this “book” is more like podcast about his book “the antidote” don’t waste your money on this and just read “the antidote” which is a great read.

Can be better

I did not find it as a great story. Sounds like collection of many opinions