You can find out more about this concept by reading Learned
Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life. In particular,
Seligman suggests useful ways in which you can develop or learn to
be optimistic if you find that you tend toward a pessimistic view of
events in your life.Looking at these examples of things people say, do you think you are an optimist or a pes-
simist by nature? Are there differences across the three areas of permanence, pervasiveness,
and personalization?
One simple thing you can do to change the effect of all the pessimistic statements is to get
into the habit of using the past not the present tense. “All men are useless” becomes “Chris
was useless (and John may be really helpful tomorrow).” Using the past tense allows you to
think about an event as something that happened and is over. You can then move on with
more confidence. Try it out yourself. Even just practicing this approach can help.The joined-up revolution
Throughout this book you will find out about the complex connec-
tions that exist between mind, body, and spirit. A number of the
business leaders I interviewed for this book have testified to the cre-
ative benefits of physical exercise, and there is a growing number
who attest to the importance of also recognizing a spiritual dimen-
sion. In a revolutionary way, they are beginning to make connec-
tions across these dimensions of life.
I remember laughing inwardly when I first read the following
remark written by James Joyce of one of his characters: “Mr. Duffy
lived a short distance from his body.”
For more and more people, it is no longer desirable or possi-
ble to separate mental, physical, and spiritual matters: they are all
interconnected. However, most of us still live too far from our bod-
ies and our hearts. Words like “spirit” are too revolutionary as yet
to be included in our business lives.48 Power Up Your Mind