Crocker and her colleagues have studied the consequences of self-focused versus bigger-than-self goals for academic success, workplace stress, personal relationships, and well-being, as well as in two very different cultures, the United States and Japan.12 One of the first things they found is that when people are connected to bigger-than-self goals, they feel better: more hopeful, curious, caring, grateful, inspired, and excited. In contrast, when people are operating from self-focused goals, they are more likely to feel confused, anxious, angry, envious, and lonely. The emotional
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