
Neuroscience shows: Desperately wanting something blocks you from getting it | What to do instead
From Emonthebrain by Emily McDonald
April 27, 2026 · 16 min · Episode 25
About this episode
This episode discusses how desperately wanting something can hinder achieving it and offers three solutions based on neuroscience research.
Neuroscience shows that desperately wanting something actually blocks you from getting it. Here are the 3 solutions. Reference: Fredrickson, B.L. & Branigan, C. (2005). Positive emotions broaden the scope of attention and thought-action repertoires. Cognition and Emotion, 19(3), 313–332. Sign up for the free masterclass: https://learn.emonthebrain.com/masterclassRSVP to future tour: https://laylo.com/emonthebrain/m/2jAoUd?utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emonthebrain?igsh=aG1wNDY0OXZ1c3pi
People in this episode
Host: Emily McDonald
Topics covered
- neuroscience
- desire
- solutions
- positive emotions
- attention
- thought-action repertoires
Keywords
- neuroscience
- desire
- positive emotions
- attention
- solutions
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Cognition and Emotion
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