Is your optimism hindering your success?

Man, alone, has the power to transform his thoughts into physical reality; man, alone, can dream and make his dreams come true. Napoleon Hill 1883 – 1970 You don’t need to do much research to find that optimistic people live longer, enjoy a healthier life and generally fare much better than their pessimistic counterparts. But consider this question: is it possible to be too optimistic? Can your optimism actually hinder your success? Psychologist Gabriele Oettingen has done extensive research on how optimism influences your ability to achieve your goals. In one study involving women enrolled in weight loss programs, the …
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If you won the lottery

You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you. James Allen 1864 – 1912 Have you ever dreamed of winning the lottery? Most people have. And I suspect most people have heard that within five years of hitting the jackpot, the majority of winners are worse off, both financially and emotionally. When confronted with these statistics, lottery players typically respond in one of two ways: they would like to win anyway just to see for themselves, or they’re certain they would be the exception — that they could handle the sudden …
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So what?

There is nothing good or bad, but thinking makes it so. William Shakespeare 1564 – 1616 When I was a child, there was one expression I remember hearing quite often. I really didn’t like to hear it, which may be why it stands out for me. The expression was “So what?” When I’d done something I thought was important, my playmates would use it to bring me down a notch. Conversely, my mother would use it to try to cheer me up when I came home feeling low. It was much more effective as a mood killer than a mood …
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