As we have mentioned before, we are admirers of Martin B. Seligman's approach to the psychology of optimism, related to resourcefulness, robustness, and [wait for it!] happiness. His The Optimistic Child, and the algorithm that has been developed from it, is a fast turn-around from misery. We're never put off by "child" in the title. At heart, and particularly in times of stress, we are all children. And yet can teach ourselves what we haven't learned yet.
Dr. Seligman's interactive self-measure of optimism is available here. The best part of it is the meta-observation at the end, which moves Optimism Studies from Pollyanna to real service. Sometimes optimism is not the best default position, at least to begin with.
When To Use Optimism -- And When Not To
The data are also clear that we should not all be optimists all the time. When risks are high, for example, pessimists may be more firmly grounded in reality -- and less likely to get hurt.
- If you are in an achievement situation (getting a promotion, selling a product, writing a difficult report, winning a game), use optimism.
- If you are concerned about how you will feel (fighting off depression, keeping up your morale), use optimism.
- If your physical health is the issue, use optimism.
- If you want to lead or to inspire others, use optimism.
- If your goal is to plan for a risky and uncertain future, do not use optimism.
- If your goal is to counsel others whose future is dim, do not use optimism initially.
- If you want to appear sympathetic to the troubles of others, do not begin with optimism, although using it later, once confidence and empathy are established, may help.
Via the Neurolearning Blog.
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