Book Titles

To the degree that it serves us well, we can intentionally cultivate a positive bias to offset our evolutionary bias for the negative.

In contrast to blind faith, false hope, and magical thinking, realistic optimism balances a hopeful and positive perspective with a recognition that the desired outcome may or may not occur.

…focusing on a positive outcome rather than avoiding a negative one typically leads to greater persistence, more flexibility in finding ways to reach a goal, increased creativity in solving problems, greater internal motivation, more satisfaction, and better results.

Expecting to succeed… makes us more likely to succeed.

Frightening as it may be to acknowledge our shortcomings and admit our mistakes, the irony is that doing so tends to inspire greater respect, not less.

In truth, each of us sees reality through a fixed lens that selectively filters our view of the world… We must learn to look through a broader range of lenses.

By remaining curious and even realistically optimistic, rather than reactive, we think better, perform better, and get along with others more easily.

Counterintuitively, one of the most powerful ways to reclaim your value when you’re triggered is to find a way to value the person who triggered you.

When our own value isn’t at risk, we much prefer to be in connection with others than in conflict. We’re also hardwired to reciprocate. Value another person, and that person is likely to value you back.

…it turns out we’re terrible predictors in the present of how we’re going to feel tomorrow, much less six months from now.