Optimism For Life
The Optimism Principle:
The Science of Overcoming Setbacks
Optimism enables people to maintain hope and motivation for doing their best, especially when life becomes challenging. People have a mix of optimistic and pessimistic thoughts, making optimistic thinking a skill that falls somewhere on a continuum. Most people believe that they’re very optimistic, but find they can become even more resilient with increased awareness and practice of optimistic thinking skills.
To enhance your level of Optimism:
- Recall when you have been particularly resilient in the past.
- How did you turn your thinking around from dwelling on the problem to creating a solution?
- Write down a current challenge you’re facing now and think about how to make it:
- temporary by focusing on solutions v. viewing the problem as permanent and dwelling on the worst-case outcome.
- contained to one specific issue v. thinking the problem’s pervasive, causing you to worry about what else could go wrong.
- situational by seeking external explanations v. allowing the problem to become personal by fault-finding, blaming or criticizing.
Remember, Optimists believe:
- Positive events are personal, permanent and pervasive (and, therefore, will likely continue).
- Negative events are specific, temporary and situational (and, therefore, can be overcome).
Pessimists, on the other hand, believe:
- Positive events are specific, temporary and situational (and, therefore, are fleeting).
- Negative events are personal, permanent and pervasive (and, therefore, will always be there to affect their lives).
Talk to Dr. Tom Muha:
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Testimonials
Internationally Renown Patient Safety Expert
“I am glad to help spread the word about PROPEL to Quality Healthcare, a six-step program for healthcare professionals that can improve patient care, staff engagement, and the bottom line. Tom’s work is based on decades of research in the science of Positive Psychology, as well as his 15 years of field work in major hospitals and medical centers across this country where we have seen incredible results from adopting the principles and tactics of PROPEL.”
Peter Pronovost, MDAuthor: Smart Hospitals Safe Patients
Washington Adventist Hospital
“Dr. Tom gets it. He understands the complex world of health care and his presentation provides concrete tips that any health care worker can implement to positively impact their work and personal life.”
Joyce Becker, MS, RN, CNORClinical Nurse Specialist-Surgical Services
2016 Nurses Week Keynote Presentation
Greater Baltimore Medical Center
“I worked with PROPEL for several years and it’s amazing to me what these principles can do to engage a multidisciplinary healthcare team. The units who used PROPEL saw results such as: increased employee engagement scores, decreased falls, and decreased turnover. PROPEL changed the way that our teams viewed and solved problems. Staff started supporting each other and work became more like family. I have already brought PROPEL to this organization because I know about the positive changes it creates.”
JoAnn Z. Ioannou, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BCSenior Vice President Patient Care Services & Chief Nursing Officer
High Point Regional Health
“Tom was wonderful to work with. The insight and knowledge he shared made me a better leader.”
Bonnie Hartley Faust, MS, MBA, RNVice President and Chief Nursing Officer
University of Michigan, Center for Positive Organizations
“Tom Muha has written a very important book that should be mandatory reading for anyone involved in health care. It combines scholarly research findings with practical advice and strategies for both personal flourishing and organizational success. Given the importance and centrality of health care in our society and around the world, his work in developing the PROPEL High Performance Improvement System is sure to make a significant impact for the better.”
Kim Cameron, PhDWilliam Russell Professor of Management & Organizations
Ross School of Business and Professor of Higher Education, School of Education
Co-Founder, Center for Positive Organizations
Anne Arundel Medical Center
“A must read for health care leaders desiring enhanced team work and improved outcomes. The PROPEL principles artfully distill essential positive psychology research and offer efficient implementation techniques for converting theory to action. In this enjoyable read, Thomas Muha, PhD unlocks a pathway to peak performance, accessible even to the busiest professional.”
Brooke Buckley, MD FACSMedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society, President 2015-2016
Chief, Division of General Surgery
Medical Director, Acute Care Surgery
Shock Trauma Center at University of Maryland Medical Center
“Working with PROPEL has been an amazing experience. It has taught me a new and rewarding way (professionally and personally) to look at problem solving and to develop collaboration with others. Their coaching method is intuitive, goal oriented, and focused on positive outcomes.”
Irene Rose, RN, MSNurse Manager
Society of Psychologists in Management (SPIM)
"Tom is an extremely knowledgeable and engaging presenter. He presents information in a way that is understandable and useful. His presentation contains take-aways that are immediately applicable to address concerns/issues at work. He uses practice examples that make the content come alive and helps me see that making positive changes is doable.”
Jill J. Draime, PsyD2017 President and Conference Organizer
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