February 23, 2011
Challenge Your Thoughts to Build Optimism for a Happy and Productive Life
Optimism is the tendency to see yourself and the world in a positive light and is one of the key thought patterns that lead to happiness and life satisfaction. We often think of optimism as a fixed quantity, but positive psychology has shown that optimism is a skill that can be learned.
Although most of us are unaware of it, we are constantly thinking and judging. Our emotions respond to this background dialog, whether we are aware of it or not. Many of us assume that just because we thought something, it is true for us so we hold on to our thoughts and look for evidence that they are correct. Yet, a thought is just a thought and the ones we choose to hold on to and repeat have the power to impact our lives. If we can slow down our thoughts enough to be aware of them and choose the ones we want to repeat, we can have a profound impact on the quality of our emotions.
Next time you are upset or agitated, try taking a little time to challenge your own thoughts and assumptions. For example, if you are feeling overwhelmed, you may be thinking of all the things you have to do. Take a moment to challenge whether you really have to do all those things, or whether you have to do them right now.
If you are feeling frightened, you might be imagining the worst that could happen, then thinking of it in terms of what will happen instead of what might happen. Try challenging these conclusions.
When challenging your own thoughts look for words like always, never, and should. These are often indications of unrealistic, habitual thought patterns. Also look for assumptions about underlying reasons such as- Sally did not remember my birthday because she hates me or does not respect me when the truth may be that Sally forgot because she is involved in an intense project, or caring for a sick child.
Even the most optimistic among us must work at challenging our thoughts from time to time. This is a skill that gets easier with practice. Remember, you can:
Challenge Your Thoughts to Build Optimism for a Happy and Productive Life
Please help me spread the word about happiness. I have entered a contest to write a self help book. Please help me advance to the next round of the contest by voting for my book concept, Happiness First. Voting is open through February 28. Thank you!
Affirmation
I build my optimism by challenging my own thoughts, particularly the thoughts that make me feel anxious, fretful or hopeless. I choose to keep my thoughts open, realistic, and optimistic.
Journal or Meditation Question
When have I felt anxious or tense in the past few days? What was the situation? What was I thinking about that situation? Could any of those thoughts have been incorrect or untrue? Could I have benefited from a more open or hopeful approach to that situation?
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