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that she learned about the importance of positive thinking from reading self-
help books.
When I asked if she found this advice useful, she said, "not really." We both
laughed, but I think this is true for a lot of people. And yet, we keep hearing
about the power of positive thinking. Why?
Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that negative beliefs about the
self, the world, and the future can lead to anger, anxiety, and depression. And to
feel better, it seems reasonable to turn to "optimistic" or "positive" thinking.
But this strategy can backfire if our new ideas aren't believable, realistic, or
confirmed by our experiences.
That you'd start up a conversation with a stranger who would see your
greatness and be thrilled to chat with you?
That you'd be able to stick to your diet because this time you're truly
motivated?
For example, when you catch yourself thinking in unreasonable ways, begin to
assess accuracy. Some questions to ask yourself: