Optimism

Towards a positive mindset: optimism, growth and the power of thought

Marion Müller, 19.12.2023

The way we look at the world is critical to our wellbeing. Optimism and a positive mindset are not just buzzwords; they make a fulfilling life possible. This article will dive deep into the world of optimism, explain the distinction between healthy optimism and “toxic positivity,” shed light on the differences between a fixed and a growth-oriented (growth) mindset, and present strategies to actively cultivate a positive perspective.
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What I DON'T mean when I write about optimism

It may be unusual to start a blog post with a negative definition. Nevertheless, it is important for me to do this at the beginning, as the attitude “if you feel bad, just change your mindset” is very common and I would like to consciously differentiate myself from it. It implies that it is always your own fault if you go through a difficult phase and experience painful emotions. I take the following position on this: First, it includes having difficult and painful phases and experiences in life and also feeling emotions such as sadness, anger or fear. You shouldn't also get ready for not being able to think positively in these moments. Second, your pain is sometimes also based on deep unconscious patterns, which you should pay attention to first before you “simply” switch to a positive mindset. This can be a very difficult but healing process and have a more lasting effect than overwhelming yourself with positive affirmations. It's important to stress that the optimism I mean shouldn't mean maintaining positive emotions and thoughts at all costs. Healthy optimism acknowledges challenges without distorting reality. On the other hand, “Toxic Positivity” tends to suppress negative emotions and promote unrealistically positive thinking patterns. A balanced understanding means accepting both the positive and negative aspects of life without losing sight of reality. It is definitely worthwhile to train a positive attitude in phases in which the majority of us are doing well. A positive outlook makes everyday life easier and leads to higher life satisfaction. But it doesn't mean that you can — or should — completely avoid painful phases through a positive attitude.
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Fixed mindset vs. growth mindset

A fixed mindset and a growth mindset represent two fundamentally different ways of thinking, which have a significant impact on our attitudes, actions and ultimately on our journey through life. Here are the key differences between a person with a fixed mindset (FM) and a person with a growth-oriented mindset (WM):
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Attitude towards abilities:

FM: “My abilities, talents, and intelligence are naturally defined. I was born with the resources available to me and I can't do much about them.”

WM: “My abilities, talents, and intelligence can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. Life consists of personal growth.”
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Attitude towards challenges:
‍FM: “I prefer to avoid challenges because they represent difficulties for me and I could experience failures. These failures could call into question my existing abilities. I'd rather stay in my usual environment and show off my existing skills without taking any risks.”

WM: “I like challenges because they represent an opportunity for me to grow and learn. I approach new situations with an open mind and see difficulties as opportunities that help me personally.”
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Attitude towards mistakes:
FM: “Mistakes mean that I have failed and am unable. Since mistakes pose a threat to me, I'd rather stay in my comfort zone.”

WM: “Mistakes mean that I can learn even more in the appropriate field. They are part of the learning process and offer an opportunity for reflection and improvement. Mistakes don't mean that I'm incompetent as a person.”
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Attitude towards effort:
FM: “Effort is only required if I don't have sufficient skills. If I have to make an effort, then I don't have the necessary requirements for the job.”

WM: “Effort is necessary to develop myself and expand my skills. Effort is part of progress.”
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Attitude towards criticism:
FM: “Criticism means that I'm not good as a person and threatens my skills.”

WM: “Criticism means that I can develop in this field and helps me to expand and deepen my skills.”
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The differences between a fixed and a growth-oriented mindset illustrate how thinking has a fundamental influence on the way we approach challenges, deal with failures and develop our own potential.

Self-fulfilling prophecies and the power of thought

The thoughts we cherish have the remarkable ability to shape our reality. A stuck mindset can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies by keeping us within our limits and limiting our abilities. In contrast, a growth-oriented mindset opens up the opportunity to grow beyond yourself and make positive changes. Our beliefs have the power to guide our actions, and conscious control over our thought patterns can pave the way to a more fulfilling life.
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The influence of the environment on our thoughts

Our social environment plays a central role in shaping our thought patterns. Exchanging ideas with people who offer support and show understanding can help strengthen an optimistic mindset. On the other hand, negative influences can cloud our vision and inhibit our growth. Pay attention to the way people around you talk: Do they often complain about mundane everyday events? Or do they mostly focus on positive things and express their joy? The human brain is designed to constantly seek out problems. That is why it is natural to have negative thoughts from time to time. Even though people are in difficult phases of life, it is also logical that negative thoughts prevail. You don't have to and shouldn't turn your back on someone right away because of that. On the contrary, in such phases, you can also inspire someone to rediscover the beauty of life with positive questions. However, if these are recurring, negative thought patterns that also put you in a negative mood, you should either seek a conversation with the person or consider distancing yourself. This is especially true when someone constantly devalues other people or grumbles a lot about small things in everyday life.
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Strategies for cultivating a positive mindset

A positive approach to life and a growth-oriented mindset can be trained. Here are a few strategies to do this:

Keep a gratitude journal: Regular reflection on things you are thankful for not only promotes positive thoughts, but also contributes to an overall fulfilling life.

Search for exceptions: The next time you have negative thoughts about a situation or about a person, think about when things have been different before. For example, if you think, “I'll never be able to start work and I always put it off.” Try to think about when you've done it before. That's when you realize that you can actually do it. You can then think about what helped you back then.

Focus on strengths: Instead of focusing on weaknesses, focus on others' strengths and encourage positive conversations about those strengths. For every negative sentence or thought about someone, try to list five positive qualities of that person (yes, this also applies to thoughts about yourself 😊). This practice not only fosters optimism, but also a supportive community and a dose of self-confidence
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synopsis

The power of our thoughts not only shapes our attitude, but also our quality of life. By promoting a growth-oriented mindset, avoiding “toxic positivity,” and consciously cultivating positive thinking patterns, we can embark on the transformative journey to a fulfilling and optimistic life. Recognize the power of your thoughts, consciously direct them and be ready for positive change on the way to a fulfilling and optimistic life.

Further links:

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testimonials

Huberman, A. (2023, September 25).How to Enhance Performance and Learning by Applying a Growth Mindset [Podcast]. Huberman Lab. https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/how-to-enhance-performance-and-learning-by-applying-a-growth-mindset

Seligman, M.E.P. (2003).The happiness factor: Why optimists live longer (J.G. Grinde, trans.). Goldman. (original work 1998)

Seligman, M.E.P. (2012).How we flourish: The five pillars of personal wellbeing (R. Schmalz, Über.). Kösel. (original work 2011)

Seligman, M.E.P. (2016).You don't kiss pessimists: How to change your lifestyle and achieve success (M. Gerold, trans.). Knaur. (original work 1990)

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