AOK Today #23 - Peter Pan it (with optimism)

AOK Today: Give optimism a try today

"Just think of happy thoughts and you'll fly" - Peter Pan

How It Works: The human brain is all about the future. As Martin Seligman says, “we are not homosapiens, we are homoprospectus.” You’re probably doing it right now with what you’re reading, thinking, “how can I apply this to me?” Evidence confirms that we can learn to think about the future in helpful ways; one such was is with optimism. While people often say, “I’m not an optimist or a pessimist, I’m a realist,” this is a misleading statement. Both optimists and pessimists can make realistic assessments of the present. The difference lies in the way they think of the causes of the reality they perceive, and the way they believe their actions can affect it going forward. Practicing optimism decreases vulnerability to depression, improves achievement, and improves physical health. To practice optimism, do the following when met with a challenge:

1. Describe it as temporary rather than permanent: "sometimes" "lately" "today" versus "always" "never"

2. Describe it as specific rather than pervasive: "this person" "that interview" "this situation" versus "people are all" "the world is" "I'm/she's totally/completely"

3. Use a balanced attribution of control: acknowledge the elements of external causes that are out of your control, as well as identifying your internal behavioural causes, which are temporary and specific that you can change.

Cost: Free

Why I love it: It is effective a life changing!

Happy Giving |XOX|