Table of Contents
Introduction 8
Chapter 1 Understanding optimism 13
What is optimism? 14
Portrait of an optimist 18
Emotional intelligence 20
Self-esteem 22
Resilience 24
Happiness 26
How optimistic are you? 30
Can optimism be learned? 32
Exercise 1 Make your self-talk positive 35
Keeping an optimism journal 36
Chapter 2 Optimistic attitudes 41
Half full or half empty? 42
Exercise 2 Count your blessings 43
Preparing for success 44
Exercise 3 Create abundance 45
Dealing with setbacks 46
Exercise 4 Stop your thoughts 49
Deciding when to be realistic 50
Exercise 5 What I know to be true 53
Taking action 54
Problem-solving 58
Exercise 6 Use your right brain 59
Exercise 7 Flex your thinking with famous people 61
Self-fulfilling prophecies 62
Exercise 8 What do you expect? 65
Building confidence 66
Exercise 9 Visualize confidence 69
Reframing your thoughts 70
Exercise 10 Look for the silver lining 73
Chapter 3 Optimism and your physical health 75
The mind-body connection 76
Managing your health 80
Exercise 11 Keep a health diary 83
Stay healthy, stay happy 84
Exercise 12 Plan your exercise routine 85
Facing serious illness 92
Exercise 13 Visualize a healing river 93
Dealing with pain 96
Taking a laughter cure 98
Exercise 14 Look for laughter in the everyday 99
Aging with attitude 100
Chapter 4 Optimism and your mental health 103
Optimizing your mental health 104
Overcoming depression 106
Managing stress 110
Exercise 15 Activate your relaxation response 111
Living with hope 116
Finding peace of mind 118
Immersing yourself 120
Chapter 5 Optimism in action 123
Optimism and success 124
The optimistic couple 126
Exercise 16 Create "couple time" 131
The optimistic child 132
Exercise 17 Show your child a positive future 135
Exercise 18 Teach your child mastery 137
The optimistic family 138
Exercise 19 Take time to play 139
Helping others to be optimistic 142
Exercise 20 What's the worst that can happen? 145
Optimism in the workplace 146
Exercise 21 Take control of your career 151
Meaningful work, meaningful life 152
Conclusion 156
Further reading 158
Acknowledgments 159
