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Success!Ezine
Volume 5 Issue 5-- May 2008
DrCarolWebster.com
Copyright 2008 All Rights Reserved
Success!Ezine
is a Free newsletter provided to you by
Dr. E. Carol Webster to help you get ahead in life
and enjoy your success.
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E. Carol Webster, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and
speaker in
consulting practice in Fort Lauderdale, FL . Feel free to call or
e-mail for more information.
Dr. Webster is author of
Success Management: How to Get to the Top and Keep
Your Sanity Once You Get There and The
Fear of Success: Stop It From Stopping You! |
Feature Article
Optimism
E. Carol Webster, Ph.D.
Copyright © 2008
Life can be a bummer. Stuff happens. But the people who understand that
downers are just a part of life and who push forward in spite of them
are those who tend to excel. Optimists actively deal with problems at
hand and remain confident that the future will bring better days. While
it helps to have been raised in an atmosphere that fosters confidence
and hope, you can learn to have a positive outlook on life so -- as the
saying goes -- start viewing “the glass as half-full rather than
half-empty”.
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Adjust Your
Attitude |
Rather than be crushed by adversity, learn to view negative experiences as
part of the complexity of life. Don’t let problems and disappointments
dominate your thinking. And stop complaining. It feeds on itself and causes
you to gravitate towards those who are whining and drowning in hopelessness.
Accept the reality of the challenges that you face because, for now, they
are what they are.
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Double
Your Efforts to Succeed |
Success comes to those who make it happen. You must take action to
counter adversity and to obtain more positive outcomes in the future. It’s
not enough to sit around hoping that things will turn out okay. You have to
do something. But understand that you will probably have to do more –
and for longer -- than usual. Sometimes extraordinary measures are necessary
and your efforts may be required for extended periods of time. Optimists
don’t dwell on this. They understand that sustained effort is called for in
these circumstances and are propelled by their hopes for the future and
confidence in their ability to succeed at the things they do.
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Modify Goals as Realities Change |
Optimistic thinking does not mean always finding a “silver lining” and
rationalizing that things will turn out great when odds are, they won’t. The
future must be anticipated in light of realities now. Find
alternative paths to the success you seek when your current path is going
nowhere. A new direction is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes the goals
we’ve set need modification and life’s challenges help us to realize that
it’s time for change. Don’t run from this. Embrace it. There are many
exciting new opportunities and experiences out there for you.
Your attitude towards life has a lot to do with how things turn out for
you. And you’re never too old to learn. Don’t fall prey to defeat and
negative thinking when adversity strikes. Give yourself a healthy dose of
optimism and start viewing your life through a more positive lens. You’ll
enjoy the view --- and will feel the difference!
About the Author:
Dr. E. Carol Webster is a clinical psychologist and speaker in consulting practice in Fort
Lauderdale, FL and is author of
Success Management: How to
Get to the Top and Keep Your Sanity Once You Get There
and The Fear of Success:
Stop It From Stopping You!
|
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Ask Dr. Webster...
Dear Dr. Webster:
I really hate my job. What’s more, I will probably get fired soon but I
can’t afford to be out of work right now. Who can?!! My boss hides important
information and meetings from me and then reams me out in front of everybody
when my projects aren’t done on time. I know you think I’m paranoid but I’m
not because this stuff is really happening and other people say he cuts me
down and makes jokes about me behind my back when I’m not around. He’s so
rude and it’s downright humiliating. I never know what to say or do but now
this is wearing me down. What should I do?
-- Beat Down and Battered
Dear Beat Down and Battered: You are feeling worn down and abused
because you are being abused. Your boss is a bully and healthy
workplaces have zero tolerance for that. And rightfully so. Sabotaging your
performance and career success by hiding important things, denying you the
resources you need to do your job, constantly criticizing your work, and
demeaning you are just as egregious as yelling and screaming, throwing
things, or other more obvious bullying behavior. Many times this behavior
starts at higher levels in the organization, then trickles down causing
others to copy it and feel safe getting away with it. There’s nothing to
blame yourself for. Even if you were the worst performing individual in the
company, there’s no justification for bullying – not by superiors,
colleagues, direct reports, support staff, or anyone else. Since your
self-esteem and emotional energy sound so diminished right now, head
straight for your company EAP. They will help you feel better and stronger
emotionally, and also will help you understand workplace policies about
bullying so you can determine the best course of action for you and your
circumstances.
--Dr. Webster
Got a Question?
Ask Dr. Webster
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Success Motivator
Exercise
the right to dream. You must face reality-that which is. But then dream
of the reality that ought to be, that must be.
-- Jesse Jackson
Success Tip
Resilience at
Work
To strengthen your hardy attitudes…
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Keep reflecting on people you know who are strong
in hardy attitudes and resilience.
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Keep reflecting on the disadvantages of feeling
isolated, powerless, and threatened.
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Apply this to your own beliefs as you struggle for
the resilience to turn stressful circumstances to advantage.
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From the book:
Resilience At Work:
How to Succeed No Matter What Life Throws At You
by Salvatore Maddi
and Deborah Khoshaba
MJF Books, New York, 2005
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Thank You
-------------
Your input is important.
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Missed
An Issue?
Here's another chance to read up on topics of interest: |
|
ISSUE |
FEATURE
ARTICLE |
|
April 2008 |
Loss of Stature |
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March
2008 |
Are You A Bully Boss? |
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February 2008 |
Overconfidence |
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January 2008 |
Excite Enthusiasm |
|
2007 Issues |
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2006 Issues |
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2005 Issues |
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2004 Issues |
|
2003 Issues |
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Success!Ezine
E. Carol Webster, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychology Consulting
DrCarolWebster.com
954.797.9766
Ezine@DrCarolWebster.com
Disclaimer: The information in this
newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a
substitute for obtaining direct professional help. |
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