What Motivates Getting Things Done

Mary Lamia explores the emotional lives of people who are successful in their endeavors-both procrastinators and non-procrastinators alike-to illustrate how human motivation works and how to make the most of it. She illustrates how so-called negative emotions like distress, fear, and shame can drive the achievement of goals.

Mary C. Lamia, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst who practices in Marin County, California. Additionally, she is a professor and the faculty chair at the Wright Institute in Berkeley. Her career-long passion to convey an understanding of emotions to the public is exemplified by her writing and media work. She is the author of Emotions! Making Sense of Your Feelings and Understanding Myself: A Kid's Guide to Intense Emotions and Strong Feelings. She co-authored The White Knight Syndrome: Rescuing Yourself from Your Need to Rescue Others and a forthcoming book, The Upside of Shame. She has provided commentary for numerous television, radio, and print media interviews and discussions, and for nearly a decade hosted a weekly call-in talk show, KidTalk with Dr. Mary, on Radio Disney stations. Her blog posts for Psychology Today, Therapy Today, and How Do I Date websites illustrate the significant role of emotions in our lives.