As a result of several of the previous lessons, you should be developing an attitude that’s more constructive and more likely to serve you well. This is super-important because there’s no doubt that ‘attitude determines altitude’; that is, your mindset will largely determine how high you fly and how much progress you make.
On top of this, attitude doesn’t just determine progress but, equally as importantly, the maintenance of that progress. Many people work hard and achieve goals only to lose their gains due to unhelpful thinking, especially in response to setbacks or challenging times.
With a view to pulling together several concepts that we’ve already covered, today’s lesson will attempt to summarise the ideal attitude: a way of thinking we can all aim toward.
So, what is this ideal attitude?
Well, it’s what psychologists call optimism; but optimism isn’t the same thing as ‘positive thinking’. It is positive in the sense that it focuses on what’s going well and on where things are right; but the important difference is that real optimism is also grounded in reality.
Optimists don’t deny problems or pretend they don’t exist; rather, real optimists acknowledge problems, challenges and negative life events but they then look for solutions and ways to overcome them. They are aware that bad things happen; but they’re also acutely aware that a good life, even a Super Life can be lived despite these things.
Taking this into account, next time you experience a negative life event or are faced with a difficult situation, acknowledge it and then try to think about it the way an optimist would which is…
- One bad thing doesn’t mean that everything’s bad
- Just because it’s bad doesn’t mean it will last forever
- And bad things are not always your fault; which doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take responsibility for your life, but it does mean you shouldn’t blame yourself excessively
Along the same lines, it’s important to think like an optimist when good things happen and when you make positive gains. When things are going right, therefore, try to adopt the following form of optimism…
- This is good and it can mean everything can be good
- If I’ve made this good I can keep things good for a long time
- And all these things are good because I made them good (this final theme isn’t so much about boasting or being narcissistic but more about taking credit for the work you’ve put in to achieve what you’ve achieved)
And that’s how optimism can help you sustain the gains you’ve made Super Squad! I hope this week’s lesson has inspired you to reconsider how you feel when things aren’t going as well as they could be, and, most importantly, to give yourself a pat on the back when things are!