After I read the 'Optimism and Reality', I found how I should think when I am in a sever condition.
Of course optimism is better than pessimist, because if I took a pessimistic view, the situation would not change. But I thought 'optimism' means not to see bad things and imagine just a good situation. This chapter taught me that was wrong. It says;
Leaders at The Edge need to engage in "Janusian thinking". Janus, the Roman god of gates, was able to look in two directions at the same time. Effective leadership in demanding situation means being able to see the optimistic view and, at the same time, deal with stark reality (54).
Therefore, it needs to be realistic at the same time being optimistic. I think it is very difficult, because being optimistic is hard when the situation is bad, and also see the real one is hard too. I understood how Shackleton was a great leader. But this chapter said that the ability to be optimistic is not natural ability, so I try to keep optimistic when I faced difficult situation.
Also, this chapter says how important the self-talk is.
The reality is that this "self-talk" is part of human nature, and the first step in cultivating optimism is to pay close attention to what you say to yourself (42).
When I talk to myself, I always says, 'I should keep trying', or 'I should work hard'. After I do so, I felt obligations and tired. I found that it is not good and I should say more positive words such as 'I can do it'. It will be a good step to be optimistic.
Of course optimism is better than pessimist, because if I took a pessimistic view, the situation would not change. But I thought 'optimism' means not to see bad things and imagine just a good situation. This chapter taught me that was wrong. It says;
Leaders at The Edge need to engage in "Janusian thinking". Janus, the Roman god of gates, was able to look in two directions at the same time. Effective leadership in demanding situation means being able to see the optimistic view and, at the same time, deal with stark reality (54).
Therefore, it needs to be realistic at the same time being optimistic. I think it is very difficult, because being optimistic is hard when the situation is bad, and also see the real one is hard too. I understood how Shackleton was a great leader. But this chapter said that the ability to be optimistic is not natural ability, so I try to keep optimistic when I faced difficult situation.
Also, this chapter says how important the self-talk is.
The reality is that this "self-talk" is part of human nature, and the first step in cultivating optimism is to pay close attention to what you say to yourself (42).
When I talk to myself, I always says, 'I should keep trying', or 'I should work hard'. After I do so, I felt obligations and tired. I found that it is not good and I should say more positive words such as 'I can do it'. It will be a good step to be optimistic.
Hi Yuki,
返信削除I really like your post, in part because it shows you are really thinking about our text and applying it to your own life.
With your last point, I find it is useful to remind myself when doing difficult tasks that fundamentally, the act of doing the tasks is good for me. It forces me to engage with what I am doing, to learn, to negotiate ways to get it done, etc. It is like what Seligman says about gratifications, that we need to be doing things that are gratifying in order to feel satisfied with our lives.
Ken