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Seeing Red Cars

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Seeing Red Cars

Driving Yourself, Your Team, and Your Organization to a Positive Future

Berrett-Koehler,

15 min read
10 take-aways
Audio & text

What's inside?

Most people expect the worst. Don’t be one of them. Change your thinking from negative to positive

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Editorial Rating

6

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Well Structured
  • Inspiring

Recommendation

By default, most people’s brains dwell on the negative – what they do not want to have happen – as opposed to the good things that could happen. Psychologists claim that people make their own reality. Those who think negatively will experience negative outcomes. Conversely, if you think positively, good things will happen. That’s the hopeful theory that trainer and consultant Laura Goodrich presents. She details how you can reorganize your thinking to be more positive and benefit greatly from the results. If you can follow her advice – somewhat dimmed by the book’s awkward phrasing and lack of organization – and utilize her numerous exercises and tools, you are almost certain to improve your mental state and to think more optimistically in the future. getAbstract recommends the author’s sensible intent to help you and your team become more positive.

Summary

Do You Think About Good Things, Not Bad Ones?

People naturally think about negative outcomes, not positive ones. And bad outcomes often afflict negative thinkers. On the other hand, great things frequently take place when people think positively. It’s as if you buy a red car and then see red cars all around you. That perception makes sense. You are so excited and proud about your beautiful new car that you think about it a lot. With your red car as your primary focal point, red cars start to appear everywhere. The message is, “You get more of whatever you focus on.” Imagine good things, and they’ll occur, but the same is true of bad things. The golfer who worries about hitting a ball into the lake will slam it into the water every time. If your attitude sets your direction, it makes sense to orient your thoughts toward a positive path. Take three steps:

  1. “Think it” – Promise yourself that you will actively think only positive thoughts and ponder only positive consequences. Be absolutely serious about this plan and regard it as a contract with yourself. Your goal: to actively control your thinking process.
  2. “See it” – Visualize...

About the Author

Laura Goodrich co-owns Impact Productions and is a radio, film and television host.

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