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 What an Amazing book Nov 05, 2009
This book can help any pesimist learn the skills to change their view of the world. I have applied these skills to my life and completly changed it for the better.
Landmark Research Findings That Will Improve Your Life Sep 06, 2009
Seldom have I seen a book of such extraordinary timeliness that I knew I was witnessing history in the making, but such is the case with LEARNED OPTIMISM. As Seligman writes, '... the things we say to ourselves when trouble strikes can be just as baseless as the ravings of a drunk on the street. Our reflexive explanations are usually not based on reality. They are bad habits that emerge from the mists of the past...' This, in essence, gets to the heart of LEARNED OPTIMISM, as it turns out that we can radically improve our self talk during all times of disappointment. The key is to learn to dispute your first internal thoughts when you encounter setbacks. Seligman shares tips for how we can vault the walls we construct for ourselves... the ones that sometimes can stop us in our tracks right before we otherwise might have been met with spectacular success.
I was thrilled to discover this extraordinary book on the subject of how we can address social and personal problems with hopelessness and depression by applying some of the most exciting findings from the field of psychology. When I took psychology classes at UC Berkeley, I was deeply impressed by studies I read about dogs that became helpless after experiencing situations they learned they had no control over. As it turns out, one of the researchers involved in these early studies, Martin Seligman, was deeply motivated to understand the root causes and possible solutions for helplessness and depression, because his father had suffered catastrophic strokes that prevented from him running for office and achieving his dreams.
LEARNED OPTIMISM presents landmark research-based discoveries that not only have the power to dramatically improve your life, but also include tools you can utilize to assist others who suffer hopelessness and depression. What sets this book apart from all others is the extraordinary gift of hearing from one of the pioneers in psychology his cutting-edge ideas, research experiences, and tools for assessing and improving optimism. The significance and timeliness of this book is phenomenal, and Seligman's ability to explain why mere positive affirmations and self-esteem programs cannot help people learn optimism is priceless.
There is cause for celebration in LEARNED OPTIMISM's central thesis that once optimism is learned, people have the power to overcome bouts of hopelessness or depression and become much more resilient 'can do' individuals who bounce back whenever facing problems in their lives. LEARNED OPTIMISM just might be one of the greatest findings of our time.... I give this book my highest recommendation!
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Characteristics that Count Aug 10, 2009
Some boards will be facing this crisis with an optimistic opportunism that is alert for every possible advantage; others will be facing the same circumstances with pessimism and a focus on minimising losses. The former will emerge poised for growth; the latter may survive. But what makes boards react in such different ways?
Martin Seligman, a well respected psychologist with a body of clinical research as well as two best-selling books, suggests that the difference may be in the way in which boards and their individual members view the world. In Learned Optimism Seligman gives a well balanced explanation of how certain outlooks relate to success or failure and other issues such as quality of life and relationships, health and longevity. Although the book is written about individuals it is easy to extrapolate the ideas to groups. Every professional director will be aware of how each board develops its own character. Seligman's work shows how character traits affect the likelihood of success.
Seligman divides people into two broad categories (or places them along one continuum) depending on their level of optimism or pessimism. Optimists believe that defeat or set backs are temporary and can be recovered from; pessimists believe that defeats or set backs are permanent, personally directed at them, and pervasive, affecting all aspects of their existence rather than just the one that is currently adversely affected.
The discussion of indicators (especially figures of speech and verbal patterns) is clear enough to allow readers to make their own diagnoses of themselves and their board colleagues. The most reliable indicator is `explanatory style', the way in which our self-talk explains why things have happened and builds our expectations for the future. Too many boards have a poor explanatory style that does not motivate board members or management to recover from set-backs or seek opportunity in adversity.
Seligman's work is underpinned by extensive research which validates the classifications and their indicators. More important than an accurate diagnosis however, is the extension of the work into methods for changing from your current mode of talking and thinking to a mode that is more likely to leave you more open to possibilities for success. There are some excellent exercises and models that can be used to make and consolidate changes.
I first read this book eight years ago. In Switzerland last July I discovered a consulting firm that applies Seligman's methods to the workplace and appears to achieve measurable increases in corporate performance. This motivated me to reread the book and think about using some of the concepts to improve the outcomes of my boards. The power of reasoned speech should allow boards, as well as individual directors, to take charge of situations, resist depression, avoid `learned helplessness', feel more confident and achieve better outcomes.
There are many books based upon Seligman's work that purport to extend his work into the corporate arena. None of these, however, offer the clarity of thought of Seligman's original. I recommend directors who are interested in building resilience to read this book before they read any of the others, or to just read it instead of the others!
* Julie Garland McLellan is a governance and board consultant. She is a professional non-executive director and an Australian Institute of Company Directors NSW Councillor. She is the author of "All Above Board: Great Governance for the Government Sector" and a mentor to aspiring and practicing company directors. Her Newsletter "The Director's Dilemm" is available at [...]
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Not a fly-by-night self-help book May 06, 2009
It's all about attitude. If you've ever noticed that you're looking at life from the glass-half-empty perspective, then get this book. And even if you only sometimes approach life from that angle, it's still well worth the read. This is not a fly-by-night self-help book. In fact, I wouldn't even lump it in the self-help category; it's more self-awareness... self-learning. Seligman is a psychologist who other psychologists think is exceptional. And not only is this book well researched, it's readable and practical. Seligman shows us how we learn pessimism and how we can break away from it. He even talks about how we can help our children escape it. So if you find yourself sometimes caught up in negative thoughts that just won't go away, read this book. It's freeing.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Is The Glass Half Full Or Half Empty? May 05, 2009
Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life by Martin E. P. Seligman, is a book that will help you overcome your pessimistic lifestyle. The author has studied both optimists and pessimists for twenty-five years and determined that pessimist are negative people that believe bad events are their fault that will last a very long time and will undermine everything. Pessimistic people feel helpless and will eventually fall into depression. It's a problem for lots of people especially youths. The author has discovered that optimist believe that defeat is just a temporary setback and even a challenge. But don't worry according to the author "Pessimism is escapable." The book teaches you cognitive skills that will enable you to overcome pessimism and take charge of your life.
There are lots of way to handle life's many problems.
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Are you a spiritual retard, or are you on the path to ENLIGHTENMENT?
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