One of the most important things you can do for your health and success is to learn optimism. High scores in optimism are predictive of a longer, healthier life, and excellence in everything from sports to life-insurance sales.
HOW OPTIMISTIC ARE YOU IN YOUR THINKING? Take this quiz:
1. If someone says you’re in great shape for your age, which would you reply: a. I’m just lucky. b. Thank you, I work at it.
2. If someone asked you how your weekend at your in-laws was, which would you reply: a. Terrible, all except for the great dinner we had. b. I had a good time despite a few minor incidents.
3. Are you: a. Determined to be perfect in all you are, say and do and expect of others b. Willing and able to set realistic goals and standards
4. When you forget to take the trash out and realize it on the way to work, do you: a. Ruin the rest of you day by blowing it all out of proportion b. Instantly forgive yourself, devise a way to remember next time, and don’t let it ruin the rest of your day
STUDIES INDICATE THAT OPTIMISTS ARE:
Healthier and live longer
Resistant to depression
Likely to achieve their potential
Persistent in the face of adversity
Able to get maximum pleasure from success because they think they caused it
PESSIMISM, ON THE OTHER HAND:
Lowers your immunity
Makes you more prone to isolation which is a higher heath risk than smoking
Lowers your EQ
Keeps you from guarding your health or getting medical advice when needed
Causes more bad events in life
Your health at age 60 will be strongly related to your optimism/pessimism at age 25 [Source: Martin Seligman, Ph.D. ]
HOW CAN YOU LEARN OPTIMISM?
EQ coaches specialize in teaching you how to learn this important life skill. It’s part of emotional intelligence.
You can’t learn it by memorizing mantras or carrying around quotes on a 3×5′. It involves learning new self-talk and practicing it rigorously until it becomes automatic. After all, it’s ourselves we listen to all day long!
Incidentally, if you think optimists aren’t always in touch with reality, you’re right. Pessimists are more often right, but optimists accomplish more, and live longer, healthier and happier lives.
It’s a tempered optimism, cautions Dr. Seligman – one that you choose to use or not.
TIMES TO USE OPTIMISM ARE:
In an achievement situation (sports, when giving a speech)
When trying to curb depression
When dealing with a protracted physical health issue
When trying to lead, inspire, or get elected.
TIMES NOT TO USE OPTIMISM ARE:
When the stakes are very high (i.e., considering having an affair, day trading)
. When counseling someone in dire straits
Susan Dunn, MA, Marketing Coach,
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