If you’ve heard of ‘manifesting’ – the concept of thinking something into existence – and thought of it as little more than vaguely optimistic pseudoscience with no grounding in fact, you might be surprised to learn that our expectations do, in fact, have significant weight in shaping our reality. While this isn’t ‘manifesting’ per se, there is evidence to suggest that we do have the ability to control our futures far more than we might have previously believed.

Our brains are ‘prediction machines’, so powerful that they steer us through life by generating expectations – and these expectations inform our experiences. Put simply, this means that, when we alter our expectations, we can see life-changing outcomes.

In this transformative, research-backed masterclass with the award-winning science writer David Robson, you will discover the latest scientific research that shows how our minds can determine our levels of health, fitness, productivity and wellbeing – and how to reframe your own attitudes and experiences.

Blending David’s own personal experiences, compelling anecdotes, interactive activities and a questionnaire to help you measure your initial mindset, this masterclass will see you gain essential insights into how you can reframe stress to benefit your work and life, how having preconceived notions about ageing and fitness usually become a self-fulfilling prophecy, and ultimately how to harness the power of expectation to get the most out of your life.

This course is for …

Anyone with an interest in neuroscience, psychology and the power of the mind
Those wishing to learn the techniques that can help make a positive impact on their health and happiness

Course content

What is the expectation effect and what is the science behind it?
How to turn stress, ‘writer’s block’, procrastination and anxiety to your advantage
How to achieve a truly good work-life balance
Measuring your mindset
Changing your mindset
Reframing attitudes to ageing
Q&A
Examining our perceptions of health and fitness

Tutor profile

David Robson is an award-winning science writer specialising in the extremes of the human brain, body and behaviour. He graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in mathematics, and worked as a features editor at New Scientist for five years before joining BBC Future, where he was a senior journalist for five years. His writing has appeared in the Guardian, the Atlantic, Aeon, Men’s Health and many more outlets. In 2021, he received awards from the Association of British Science Writers and the UK Medical Journalists’ Association for his writing on misinformation and risk communication during Covid-19. David’s first book, The Intelligence Trap, was published in 2019, and his second book, The Expectation Effect: How Your Mindset Can Transform Your Life, was published in January 2022. Follow him on Twitter @d_a_robson; see his website here.

David’s book The Expectation Effect: How your mindset can transform your life is available to purchase in hardback. You can purchase a book and ticket for the combined price of £63.36 including P&P (UK only).

Course Details

Date: Thursday 13 October 2022
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm BST

This masterclass is available globally. If you are joining us from outside the United Kingdom, please use this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.

6.30pm GMT | 7.30pm CST | 10.30am PT | 1.30pm ET

You will be sent a link to the webinar 24 hours and 30 minutes before the start time. Please email masterclasses@theguardian.com if you do not receive the access link 24 hours before the scheduled start time.

We aim to make all Guardian Masterclasses fully accessible. If you require any adjustments to enable your participation in this course, please get in touch with us at masterclasses@theguardian.com.

This event will be hosted on a third-party live streaming platform Zoom, please refer to their privacy policy and terms and conditions before purchasing a ticket to the class.

Once a purchase is complete we will not be able to refund you where you do not attend or if you cancel your event booking. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.

The Expectation Effect: A masterclass with David Robson