Does positive thinking really work?

‘Just think positive’. I’m sure you’ve had this advice at some point in your life. But is it good advice? What’s the evidence that thinking positive will really help? These are fascinating questions, which you should ask yourself before attempting to ‘think positive’.

Is thinking positive a good idea?

The answer depends on what you mean by ‘positive thinking’. In every day conversation, we refer to positive thinking as a one-off intervention. For example, a team member complains about something and the supervisor responds, ‘Just think positive’. This is less likely to reap good results, than a more systematic approach to positive thinking. One of my favourite quotes comes from an article by Richard G Moore who says ‘Good cognitive interventions do not always focus primarily on changing specific negative propositions’. He goes on to argue ‘that effective strategies for changing thinking tend to extend beyond a single thought to challenge mental paradigms’. Read more

What is positive psychology?

Are you wondering what positive psychology is? Asking yourself how it’s different to other streams of psychology? Get a quick overview of this fascinating field, as I explore the uestion “What is positive psychology?” in an animated video. Learn about the science of studying what makes humans thrive.

 

 

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5 Signs You Need a Confidence Makeover

A confident woman is like the sun in a clear blue sky. She radiates energy, light and life. Sometimes, though, clouds can obscure your radiance. If you feel like your confidence is hiding behind dark clouds. It’s time to do a confidence makeover.

 

In my work as a success coach, I encounter five signs which tell me that a woman needs to do this. Are you showing these signs and if so, what can you do to revamp your confidence? Here are the tips I give my coaching clients.

 

You’re a nervous public speaker

Low confidence and stage fright go hand-in-hand, but if you want to make it in the professional world you need to conquer your fear of public speaking. Suggestions I give my clients on how to do this include making an effort to speak during meetings and attending a two or three day public speaking training program. Make sure that you find one that includes lots of opportunities to speak and get feedback. Read more

Give Yourself a Confidence Makeover

 

Are you wondering how to feel more confident? Then you need to watch this video now. Get tips for boosting your self-esteem and raising your confidence levels using positive psychology. Hear how to find the courage to speak up during meetings or when presenting. Beat the habit of saying ‘yes’ to everything. Overcome perfectionist thinking so you can talk and behave more confidently.

 

 

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Snake oil can improve confidence

Sadly, this claim is not true. It does, however, sound very like the claims being made by unqualified, ‘expert coaches’ who are touting their services online these.

Recently, I’ve been noticing more and more people claiming to be experts at personal development. Many of them brag about having no qualifications or experience in their areas of expertise. For example:

  • The marketing expert who has no track record or qualifications
  • The self-esteem coach whose website is full of depressing, negative statements about the human condition
  • The birthing coach who claims to be qualified because she’s had a baby herself

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Beat blushing

Maggie suffered from chronic blushing. It made her hesitant about meeting new people or speaking in meetings.

Blushing is quite a common problem. It’s often linked to social anxiety or stress. Maggie had heard that Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) can help prevent unwanted blushing. She came to Think Learn Succeed for help with her problem. Working with coach Eleanor Shakiba, Maggie mastered four techniques for beating the blush. These were based on tools from NLP and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

You can use the same strategies to stay calm and unflushed when coping with tough situations.

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Rapport building improves business results: A case study

If you want better results with people, learning how to build rapport can reap great results. Take Craig, for example. He was a freelance IT consultant who wanted help in getting on with his clients. Craig had difficulty managing his clients’ expectations. For example, he was frequently irritated by clients who ‘couldn’t’ describe what they wanted. What he wasn’t acknowledging was that people who could outline their needs accurately probably wouldn’t need his services in the first place!

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How to build rapport at work

Not sure how to connect with a client or colleague? Learning to build rapport will help.

Rapport is like glue which holds human relationships together. Being in rapport involves making a positive connection. It creates a sense you’re the same page as someone else. Rapport gets things done. And a lack of rapport can be a barrier to effective communication.

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Talk yourself into success

Without action, your New Year’s resolutions are just words on a page. Here’s how to turn resolve into positive internal dialogue.

What do successful people do in order to build success? They keep their goals simple and memorable. Then they build a blueprint for action. The following plan shows how to nail down your goals.  

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A new take on new year’s resolutions

Get your year off to the best possible start. Make your New Year resolutions about self-fulfilment, not reinvention.

Ever made a New Year’s resolution you failed to action? It was probably a goal based on feelings of not being good enough. No wonder it wasn’t inspiring. The key to success is working from strengths, rather than trying to eliminate ‘faults.’

This year is the time for a new approach to goal setting. As well as focussing on what you want to change, keep in mind the things you want to retain. What do you enjoy doing? What gives you a sense of satisfaction or accomplishment? Resolve to keep doing these things – perhaps even do them more often. Here are three things you can do to accelerate success.

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