Realistic Optimism
Is it LOA? How to Use it.
Do you apply realistic optimism?
More important than positive thinking phrases, it does help, even in surviving job loss. Research such as the latest ms breakthrough would not exist without it. I just learned a dear friend has terminal cancer. Realistic optimism is not something we learn in college, and yet without it, in our times of deepest trouble, it can be the flicker of hope in a very dark place. I had a long conversation with him yesterday, and I was inspired to share with him the concept of this inner strength, which in impact, far out shadows the use of positive thinking phrases. We never spoke of law of attraction strategies such as A Statement Affirmations , or vision boards. We did, however, get very specific about the situation, and possible areas of focus… reasons for hope. What is Realistic Optimism? In my opinion, it is the positive expectation that a good turn of events is to come, tempered with actions that are helpful to one's overall success. In times of trouble, anyone in a supervisory capacity knows and feels deep down that those who look to you for leadership need some realistic optimism. If you are not genuine however, regardless of what buzzwords you are using, they simply will not buy it.(1) Empowerment When someone in the family is ill, realistic optimism is a powerful thing indeed. Health Care professionals have developed systems to help us cope with grave situations. One such system is the “Prepared Family Caregiver” model, which is nicely labeled COPE. The positive thinking phrases or terms represented are: Creativity, Optimism, Planning, and Expert information. This is what we need when times are tough.(2) In the spirit of the positive attitude, tempered with knowledge, family caregivers are taught how to plan and take action, addressing both medical and psychosocial challenges while coordinating efforts with the health care team. The result is their empowerment. Inspiring Example Not since the polio vaccine has a medical discovery caused as much excitement as the MS Breakthrough . now being called the liberation technique. In a nutshell, the theory is that the cause of MS is chronic cerebro spinal venous insufficiency, or CCSVI. Dr Zamboni, the pioneer of the surgical procedure tackles CCSVI by repairing a drainage malfunction from the brain. He claims to be successfully treating, or even preventing the disease. Acting on realistic optimism, he performed the first historic surgery on his wife, who is now well, virtually free of symptoms. The procedure is being studied worldwide, bringing hope to millions who for years have remained optimistic in the face of criticism for doing so. Surviving Job Loss? It is the perfect time to learn and practice skills that work for you, and be as realistically optimistic as possible. Let’s look at important elements to incorporate into your approach to the present and the future. Understand and use defensive pessimism. In other words, if you always get sick with a cold when you are stressed, what can you do to prevent this? Prepare for the worst and expect the best. Inverse concepts, they are the ultimate in realistic optimism. Now is the time to enlist the help of a financial counselor and a job search expert, while you practice healthy positive self talk and exercises literally putting you in the new frame of mind you need to be in. Here are a few helpful articles: Surviving Job Loss , Faith Hope and Charity , List of Affirmations in realistic mode .
And in case you are still unsure if optimism, law of attraction style or not, is a crock, do a little reading about the I Dreamed a Dream / Susan Boyle story. Devastated by the death of her Mother, and rejected all her life for her physical and social challenges, she auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent. The rest is history. Go Susan!
(1) I am quoting myself here, as I did just write about this in HELP ! Healthy Thinking in Times of Trouble :). (2) Houts, Peter S., et al, The prepared family caregiver: a problem-solving approach to family caregiver education, Patient Education & Counseling, Jan 1996 Click Here to return from Realistic Optimism to womens law of attraction solutions home.
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