Barbara Ehrenreich - Smile or Die: How Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Undermined America

[CanSocDem]

22. Good answer.

"I think I understand how important thinking can be for success. Clearly, a person who completely lacks confidence can't achieve much. My personal experience is that focusing on what you want, analyzing what it will take you to get it and then comparing that to your strengths and weaknesses is the way to go."

This is where we have to step back and ask ourselves if we truly understand what constitutes "realistic" goals for other people. Many of my childhood friends far exceeded what I thought at the time were 'realistic' goals. They rose above social constrictions, personal limitations and academic deficiency to become successful. Lucky for them they didn't get sidetracked with the "realism" of their life.

As an educator, we were taught that students become what we perceive them to be. In a well known study, low achieving students, along with their teachers were given test results that elevated their grades and academic performance. They became high achievers primarily because of the teachers new attitude. Clearly, it was the students self-perception that did the trick.

After leaving teachers college, I found these principles worked at a personal level. I became very conscious of my beliefs. My own reading list reflected and nourished the importance of 'beliefs' in day to day living. I met people whose beliefs were truly bizarre and like you, thought they were "a bit crazy". Of course, what I thought was irrelevant in their lives and they managed to survive without my input.

As for the general pursuit of material wealth (which I have yet to achieve), I once read a good definition of abundance that has served me well over the years.

Abundance is having what you need, when you need it.

"I prefer these kinds of goals. Today I'm going to smile at someone who feels sad or even, today I'm going to be honest with myself."

That's the ticket!!

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