Without knowing it, most of us impose limits on our achievement and our happiness by approaching life's problems and challenges with unnecessary pessimism. Now, Dr. Martin Seligman, a pioneer in cognitive psychology and motivational research, tells you how to identify your own self-defeating thought patterns - and how to harness the powers of your conscious mind to break those patterns. Learned Optimism examines the importance of ‘explanatory style’ - the way in which we explain our problems and setbacks to ourselves - and offers a series of exercises that will help you target unhealthy habits of pessimistic thinking and bring them under your control. More powerful and pragmatic than a simple program of positive thinking, Dr. Seligman's principles of reasoned, flexible optimism will help you: attain maximum personal achievement, avoid feelings of helplessness and depression and develop a hopeful, healthy outlook, which cultivates feelings of wellbeing.
Learned Optimism blends cutting-edge science with practical advice to give us all a better understanding of how we hold ourselves back and how we can change for the better.