Breaking Murphy's Law : How Optimists Get What They Want From Life - and Pessimists Can Too

Pollyannas take heart, pessimists take note Recent studies on achievement and well-being show that optimistic behavior contributes to better physical health, greater resilience in the face of life's twists and turns, and more satisfying relationships. As psychologists Suzanne Segerstrom reveals, optimists lay groundwork for the success they envision. While the rest of us worry whether our goals are attainable, those who practice optimism try to achieve theirs. Breaking Murphy's Law shows you simple ways to develop the skills that natural-born optimists use to get what they want from life. Dr.;Cover; Title; Copyright; Dedication; Contents; Acknowledgements; Prologue: Stop Trying to Be So Happy; ONE: Glass Half Full, Glass Half Empty, or Glass That Needs to Be Washed?: The Optimistic Character; TWO: The Persistence Instinct: Optimists and Their Goals; THREE: Building (and Rebuilding) for the Future:Optimists and Their Resources; FOUR: So Happy Together: Optimists and Their Relationships; FIVE: Mixed Blessing: Optimists and Their Health; SIX: Everything Good, Especially the Bad: Optimists and Their Vulnerabilities.

pollyannas Take Heart, Pessimists Take Note: Recent Studies On Achievement And Well-being Show That Optimistic Behavior Contributes To Better Physical Health, Greater Resilience In The Face Of Life’s Twists And Turns, And More Satisfying Relationships. As Psychologists Suzanne Segerstrom Reveals, Optimists Lay Groundwork For The Success They Envision. While The Rest Of Us Worry Whether Our Goals Are Attainable, Those Who Practice Optimism Try To Achieve Theirs. breaking Murphy’s Law shows You Simple Ways To Develop The Skills That Natural-born Optimists Use To Get What They Want From Life. Dr. Segerstrom Helps You Break Free From The Inertia Of Cynicism And Self-doubt And Encourages You To Engage The World Around You. “doing Optimism”--by Getting Involved, Working Hard, And Enjoying Your Achievements--establishes A Positive Feedback Loop That’s Both Personally Transformative And Self-perpetuating. This Practical Book Imparts The Lesson With A Mix Of Humor And Intelligence That Will Convince Even The Most Hardened Cynics That Murphy Got It Wrong.

"According to psychologist Suzanne Segerstrom, rose-colored glasses may look silly, but they?re actually quite practical. In Breaking Murphy?s Law, she surveys the scientific data on optimism (including her own award-winning research) to reveal that it?s not what you believe about the future that matters, but what you do about it. While pessimists debate whether their goals are attainable, optimists are out there trying to achieve them. Without insisting that readers learn to "think positive," Breaking Murphy?s Law teaches them practical ways to appropriate the habits and skills that optimists use to get what they want from life. Segerstrom--who reluctantly admits her research on the topic has transformed her into an optimist--imparts the lesson with a mix of humor and intelligence that will convince even the most cynical readers that a brighter tomorrow might be just around the corner."--Publisher website (Sept. 2006) Cover Title Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgements Prologue: Stop Trying to Be So Happy ONE: Glass Half Full, Glass Half Empty, or Glass That Needs to Be Washed?: The Optimistic Character TWO: The Persistence Instinct: Optimists and Their Goals THREE: Building (and Rebuilding) for the Future:Optimists and Their Resources FOUR: So Happy Together: Optimists and Their Relationships FIVE: Mixed Blessing: Optimists and Their Health SIX: Everything Good, Especially the Bad: Optimists and Their Vulnerabilities. SEVEN: Is an Optimist Born or Made?: The Optimistic Character RevisitedEIGHT: Doing Optimism: Optimists, Pessimists, and Their Potential for Change Epilogue: Confessions of a Reluctant Optimist Notes Index About the Author About the Publisher Discover More Guilford Titles. Prologue: stop trying to be so happy Glass half full, glass half empty, or glass that needs to be washed? the optimistic character The persistence instinct: optimists and their goals Building (and rebuilding) for the future: optimists and their resources So happy together: optimists and their relationships Mixed blessing: optimists and their health Everything good, especially the bad: optimists and their vulnerabilities Is an optimist born or made? the optimistic character revisited Doing optimism: optimists, pessimists, and their potential for change Epilogue: confessions of a reluctant optimist. Presents a survey of the scientific data on optimism (including the author's award-winning research) to reveal that it's not what you believe about the future that matters, but what you do about it. This book aims to teach readers practical ways to appropriate the habits and skills that optimists use to get what they want from life