The Power of Optimism Steve Barkley
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Presentation Title
My optimism shows when
You know my optimism is low when you see
Optimism: a bright and hopeful
feeling about life in which one expects things to turn out all right the belief that there is more good than evil in life.
Power of Optimism Alan Loy McGinnis
Research shows optimism can improve: Health Relationships Job Performance Income Test Scores
McGinnis found that optimists: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Are never surprised by trouble Value partial solutions Believe they have control over the future Plan for regular renewal Have heightened powers of admiration Interrupt their negative trains of thought
McGinnis found that optimists 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Are cheerful even when they can’t be happy Have an almost unlimited capacity for stretching Build plenty of love into their lives Share good news Use their imaginations to rehearse success Accept what cannot be changed
Are never surprised by trouble Optimists imagine the worst case scenario before taking action.
Value Partial Solutions
Optimists Value Partial Solutions They get started!
Have Alternatives Consciously Practice Positiveness Celebrate
Have Alternatives 3. Believe they have control over the future 4. Plan regular renewal 8. Have an almost unlimited capacity for stretching 12. Accept what cannot be changed
Optimists Continually Build Options Learn
Stretch
What is your GRIT score? Setbacks don’t discourage me. • • • • •
Very much like me Mostly like me Somewhat like me Not much like me Not like me at all
Take the GRIT Test http://www.sas.upenn.edu/~duckwort/images/8item%20Grit%20081011.pdf
Consciously Practice Positiveness 5. Have heightened powers of admiration 6. Interrupt their negative trains of thought
7. Are cheerful even when they can’t be happy 11. Use their imaginations to rehearse success
Conscious Positiveness Verbal
Non-Verbal
#1 You didn’t study enough. #2 You rushed and made careless mistakes. #3 Those grades will never get you into the university you want.
Reframe your child’s language • I’ll never be able to do this. • Math just doesn’t make sense.
Picture the Successful Future
Celebrate 9. Build plenty of love into their lives 10. Share the good news
Building Winners • • • •
Victims Sustainers Dreamers Winners