Crafty Listening
Intelligent Optimism
Intelligent Optimism encourages the positive attitude indicated by the Y(es) in Crafty Listening.Many people are more inclined to complain than celebrate; more at home with despair that optimism.
They worry about anything, pay attention to absence that abundance, compare themselves unfavourably to others.
Negativity looms larger than positivity, and stress easier to live with, even though it might be killing them - literally!
Running on angry, fueled by acid, poisoned by bitterness and bile, they see the world through a glass darkly.
Many psychologists believe that the aptitude for optimism is not a genetic trait - any of us can develop an optimistic frame of mind with some sustained effort (practice) at getting a better grasp of reality.
I was beginning to develop Crafty Listening back in 2005 and stumbled across the idea of Intelligent Optimism from an article in the 2005 edition of the French magazine Psychologies, which was very fortuitous.
* Intelligent optimists don't deny problems, they adjust to them while still seeking an opportunity for progress.
* Intelligent optimists don't allow themselves to get carried away by circumstances they can't change. They instead focus on things within their grasp, and that they can enjoy.
* Intelligent optimists also know that for every problem there is (at least the beginning of) a solution, and that the search for that solution can be inspirational in itself.
* Intelligent optimists are also not afraid of negative thoughts, which they realize are just internal messages they can choose to either listen to, or reject.
Just Nod "Yes"
How can you develop intelligent optimism? It all starts with a realistic attitude -- with facing the reality of your current situation, identifying what you can't change, and going to work on what you CAN change or improve.
But here's an interesting tool that can move you along even faster: Learn how to activate key portions of your brain by nodding your head "yes." A recent Ohio State University study proved that nodding or shaking your head serves as "self-validation" that confirms to yourself how you feel about your own thoughts.
The researchers found that nodding your head up and down is, in effect, telling yourself that you have confidence in your own thoughts, And it's important to note that this is true whether those thoughts are positive or negative. Shaking your head does the opposite: It gives you less confidence in your own thoughts.
"One of the most surprising things we found," explained lead researcher Dr Petty, "is that if you're thinking negative thoughts while you're nodding, this actually strengthens your disapproval. What head nodding does in this case is increase your confidence in your negative thoughts. In contrast, when the thoughts were mostly positive, then nodding increases confidence in your positive thoughts."
Try this: As you go about your day today, be aware of how you are responding to what is happening around you. Try making a conscious choice to respond, rather than just automatically react in your customary way. And nod your head to remind yourself that you are holding a positive, "intelligent optimist" attitude.
But here's an interesting tool that can move you along even faster: Learn how to activate key portions of your brain by nodding your head "yes." A recent Ohio State University study proved that nodding or shaking your head serves as "self-validation" that confirms to yourself how you feel about your own thoughts.
The researchers found that nodding your head up and down is, in effect, telling yourself that you have confidence in your own thoughts, And it's important to note that this is true whether those thoughts are positive or negative. Shaking your head does the opposite: It gives you less confidence in your own thoughts.
"One of the most surprising things we found," explained lead researcher Dr Petty, "is that if you're thinking negative thoughts while you're nodding, this actually strengthens your disapproval. What head nodding does in this case is increase your confidence in your negative thoughts. In contrast, when the thoughts were mostly positive, then nodding increases confidence in your positive thoughts."
Try this: As you go about your day today, be aware of how you are responding to what is happening around you. Try making a conscious choice to respond, rather than just automatically react in your customary way. And nod your head to remind yourself that you are holding a positive, "intelligent optimist" attitude.