Positive Attitude

Web Resources Related to Positive Attitude that Parents and Teachers Can View/Discuss with their Older Children.

(For best results, Google the bolded words for each article or video)

A Simple Trick to Improve Positive Thinking – In this TedTalk, social psychologist, Alison Ledgerwood discusses her research into how the mind tends to focus on negative information more than positive information.  After describing her research, Alison suggests a reason for practicing positive thinking to counteract this tendency.  This ten-minute video spends a great deal of time rehashing her interesting research project, but the meat of her message in is in the last two minutes.  Positive attitude is a skill that needs to be intentionally developed and her research gives this notion substantial support.

The Happy Secret to Better Work – This fast moving, humorous presentation by psychologist Shawn Anchor, details his enrollment at Harvard and his discovery that his classmates rather quickly fell into a rhythm of complaint about the challenges rather than appreciation for the incredible opportunities provided.  He summarizes success thinking as “if I work harder, I will be happier” but concludes that this kind of thinking always put happiness over the horizon- when one goal is achieved, the next goal just sets the standards out further afield.  He further concludes that positive thinking has to be brought in to the present and that it needs to be practiced.  Shawn’s research demonstrates  that our brains are far more productive with a positive attitude and then he offers five strategies for building a positive attitude.

There’s More to Life Than Being Happy – In this TedTalk, Emily Esfahani Smith argues that life should be about seeking happiness but also about seeking meaning and purpose.  Smith shares her four pillars of a meaningful life: Belonging, Purpose, Transcendence, and Story Telling.  The final portion of her TedTalk is about Story Telling.  She makes the case for framing your personal story in heroic terms; telling your narrative in a way that helps you to articulate the purpose and meaning in your life.  It is a choice you make to remind yourself of the meaning in your life.  It is a muscle that needs to be practiced.

The Power of Believing That You Can Improve– Carol Dweck talks about a growth versus a fixed mindset.  She distinguishes between the kind of teacher feedback that is focused where students are “right now” (fixed mindset) versus the kind of feedback that is focused on “not yet” (growth mindset).  She encourages teachers to view their classrooms as places where a growth mindset is emphasized and gives specific research to support her case.  Ultimately a growth mindset is driven by a commitment to a positive attitude about learning and life.

My Philosophy for a Happy Life– Sam Berns was born with a rare genetic disease, progeria, and lives with an incredible Positive Attitude.  For the person who allows obstacles to get the way, this talk reminds us that we all have far more gifts than we sometimes believe.  Sam talks about three principles that allow him to live a happy and productive life.

Have more books you can recommend related to this Success Trait?

To contact the author, see below.