Positive Mental Attitude

POSITIVE MENTAL POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDEATTITUDE

OPTIMISTS LIVE LONGER THAN OPTIMISTS LIVE LONGER THAN PESSIMISTSPESSIMISTS

French cyclist, Lance Armstrong was diagnosed French cyclist, Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer with a 40% survival with testicular cancer with a 40% survival chance and told that he would never be able to chance and told that he would never be able to cycle again.cycle again.

Himadri Paul, a student of IIT, Mumbai fell down Himadri Paul, a student of IIT, Mumbai fell down from second floor balcony and suffered multiple from second floor balcony and suffered multiple fractures in his spinal cord, broke both legs and fractures in his spinal cord, broke both legs and one hand.one hand.

LAB TESTSLAB TESTS

Lab tests have proved that there is a lower count of white Lab tests have proved that there is a lower count of white blood cells, which fight infections, among depressed blood cells, which fight infections, among depressed people. Thus, our moods do have a bearing on our people. Thus, our moods do have a bearing on our immunity function, “says Dr Rajesh Parikh , a Mumbai immunity function, “says Dr Rajesh Parikh , a Mumbai based neuropsychiatrist.based neuropsychiatrist.

Clinical studies also show that stress can impede wounds Clinical studies also show that stress can impede wounds from healing, and impair the effectiveness of vaccines.from healing, and impair the effectiveness of vaccines.

In August 2002, results of a study conducted at the Yale In August 2002, results of a study conducted at the Yale University in US were published, which showed that University in US were published, which showed that optimists lived seven years longer than optimists lived seven years longer than pessimists.According to this study, positive thinking is pessimists.According to this study, positive thinking is more important in longevity than lower blood pressure & more important in longevity than lower blood pressure & cholesterol levels.cholesterol levels.

Gloomy people have cells that age more rapidly.Gloomy people have cells that age more rapidly.

According to Bangalore based Dr Deepak Sharan, an According to Bangalore based Dr Deepak Sharan, an orthopaedic surgeon, positive thinking has been orthopaedic surgeon, positive thinking has been proved to affect musculoskeletal disorders.proved to affect musculoskeletal disorders.

Dr John Sarno of the New York University School of Dr John Sarno of the New York University School of Medicine, has showed that psychological factors Medicine, has showed that psychological factors often trigger back pain & other musculoskeletal often trigger back pain & other musculoskeletal disorders, instead of structural defects.It is called “ disorders, instead of structural defects.It is called “ tension myositis syndrome” , where pain acts as a tension myositis syndrome” , where pain acts as a diversion from negative thoughts.The brain reduces diversion from negative thoughts.The brain reduces blood flow to the affected areas, resulting in a build –blood flow to the affected areas, resulting in a build –up of waste materials& inducing pain.up of waste materials& inducing pain.

Positive thinking translates to positive vibes for Positive thinking translates to positive vibes for babies as well. “ Mother’s touch is essential for the babies as well. “ Mother’s touch is essential for the survival of sick babies” as per Dr Armeida Fernandez survival of sick babies” as per Dr Armeida Fernandez , a pediatrician., a pediatrician.

Spiraling negative thoughts can send the hormonal Spiraling negative thoughts can send the hormonal system into disarray & suppress GABA, an amino system into disarray & suppress GABA, an amino acid derivative that’s a calming substance.acid derivative that’s a calming substance.

Laugh , pray & think positive, even when taking Laugh , pray & think positive, even when taking those bitter pills!those bitter pills!

KNOW THYSELFKNOW THYSELF

1.1. Who am I?Who am I?

2.2. What is the purpose of my life?What is the purpose of my life?

3.3. Do I deserve what I desire?Do I deserve what I desire?

4.4. Do I get more than what my job requires?Do I get more than what my job requires?

5.5. Is getting what I want, or helping others to get Is getting what I want, or helping others to get what they want, is my primary motive?what they want, is my primary motive?

6.6. Do I love what I do or do I do what I love?Do I love what I do or do I do what I love?

7.7. Do I eat to live or live to eat?Do I eat to live or live to eat?

8.8. Am I adding life to my years or years to my life?Am I adding life to my years or years to my life?

9.9. Am I an owner or only a caretaker?Am I an owner or only a caretaker?

AnswersAnswers1.1. I am eternal spirit with a mind to manage I am eternal spirit with a mind to manage

it and a body to house it.it and a body to house it.

2.2. To be happy or generate all round To be happy or generate all round happiness.happiness.

3.3. One may not always get what one One may not always get what one desires; but will generally get what one desires; but will generally get what one deserves.deserves.

4.4. Individual answers.Individual answers.

5.5. Fulfilling the desires of others is the best Fulfilling the desires of others is the best desire.desire.

9. The first option is an essential pre- 9. The first option is an essential pre- requisite for questions 6 TO 9requisite for questions 6 TO 9

In order to practice PMA, it is important to In order to practice PMA, it is important to understand the human mind mechanism. The understand the human mind mechanism. The process involved are as follows:process involved are as follows:

Various stimuli are received from the external Various stimuli are received from the external environment or internally by the brain.environment or internally by the brain.

These are perceived by our five senses which send These are perceived by our five senses which send impulses to the brain .impulses to the brain .

The process of appraisal of thoughts classifies the The process of appraisal of thoughts classifies the impulses as good, bad or neutral.impulses as good, bad or neutral.

Thoughts in turn cause physiological and chemical Thoughts in turn cause physiological and chemical reactions in the body to generate action. reactions in the body to generate action.

In this entire process, it is most In this entire process, it is most essential to ensure that the right actions essential to ensure that the right actions result.The thought appraisal needs to be result.The thought appraisal needs to be toned up to accept good impulses, reject toned up to accept good impulses, reject bad ones & ignore neutral category. A bad ones & ignore neutral category. A three step formula is given here:three step formula is given here:

1.1. Aim to achieve success because you feel a Aim to achieve success because you feel a driving need to excel.driving need to excel.

2.2. Concentrate on a specific task which you Concentrate on a specific task which you feel is likely to bring success.feel is likely to bring success.

3.3. Believe in yourself and continuously think Believe in yourself and continuously think that success will be yours.that success will be yours.

Nine simple techniques to generate Nine simple techniques to generate positive emotions & positive thoughtspositive emotions & positive thoughts

1.1. Be positively selective.Be positively selective.2.2. Select positive words.Select positive words.3.3. Prefer positive talk.Prefer positive talk.4.4. Enjoy inspiring songs.Enjoy inspiring songs.5.5. Smile and laugh more.Smile and laugh more.6.6. Look for positivity in everything.Look for positivity in everything.7.7. Do not stay depressed.Do not stay depressed.8.8. Inculcate positive thoughts.Inculcate positive thoughts.9.9. Firmly believe in yourself and your goal.Firmly believe in yourself and your goal.

REMOVING NEGATIVITY FROM YOUR LIFEREMOVING NEGATIVITY FROM YOUR LIFE

Have a positive train of thought about every situationHave a positive train of thought about every situation What you think is what will happenWhat you think is what will happen Negative thoughts will develop into negative actionsNegative thoughts will develop into negative actions Build your self-esteem back up to believe in yourselfBuild your self-esteem back up to believe in yourself Believe that you can accomplish anything in your life Believe that you can accomplish anything in your life

& have the reliance to go after it to get it& have the reliance to go after it to get it You have to remove all negative thoughts & action You have to remove all negative thoughts & action

from your lifefrom your life Think positive about everything you want to do & it Think positive about everything you want to do & it

will come to youwill come to you Remove yourself from negative peopleRemove yourself from negative people Practice to think only positive thoughts and Practice to think only positive thoughts and

eventually this will become a part of youeventually this will become a part of you

Advantages of PMAAdvantages of PMA1.1. Individual and organizational goals are Individual and organizational goals are

achieved to the optimal level.achieved to the optimal level.2.2. The right motivation generates enthusiasm The right motivation generates enthusiasm

to produce high quality output.to produce high quality output.3.3. Results in maximum utilization of mind Results in maximum utilization of mind

power, which otherwise remains untapped.power, which otherwise remains untapped.4.4. Positive emotions keep body chemicals in Positive emotions keep body chemicals in

perfect balance and provide good health perfect balance and provide good health and emotional poise.and emotional poise.

5.5. The mind is tuned to manage difficult The mind is tuned to manage difficult problems in a positive fashion.problems in a positive fashion.

6.6. It is the basic ingredient of a pleasing It is the basic ingredient of a pleasing personality.personality.

POSITIVE TRAITSPOSITIVE TRAITS

1.1. FEARLESSNESSFEARLESSNESS (ABHYAM). (ABHYAM).

Fear is , undoubtedly, the most debilitating Fear is , undoubtedly, the most debilitating emotion which effects all human beings, in emotion which effects all human beings, in lesser or greater extent,with the worst form of lesser or greater extent,with the worst form of negative influence on their behaviour.negative influence on their behaviour.

Fearlessness is the most virtuous trait of Fearlessness is the most virtuous trait of personality for everybody. Moral courage is one personality for everybody. Moral courage is one of the greatest assets of a successful man. of the greatest assets of a successful man. There can be no disease worse than cowardice.There can be no disease worse than cowardice.

Fear of the unknown is a common cause of Fear of the unknown is a common cause of anxiety and worry.anxiety and worry.

Truth becomes the first casualty when fear Truth becomes the first casualty when fear overpowers attitudes.overpowers attitudes.

Explain types of fear.Explain types of fear.

2.2. UPRIGHTNESSUPRIGHTNESS (ARJAVAM) (ARJAVAM) This quality provides the foundation of ethical This quality provides the foundation of ethical

and moral values.and moral values. Upright person has core values & firm Upright person has core values & firm

convictions for which he is always ready to put convictions for which he is always ready to put up a bold stand.up a bold stand.

The attitude of honesty & integrity is natural to The attitude of honesty & integrity is natural to him.him.

3. 3. HARMLESSNESS HARMLESSNESS (AHIMSA) (AHIMSA) Ability to forgive and forget, for lasting good Ability to forgive and forget, for lasting good

interpersonal relations, arises from this quality.interpersonal relations, arises from this quality. Other allied qualities such as “unmalacious Other allied qualities such as “unmalacious

tongue”, “tenderness towards other beings”, tongue”, “tenderness towards other beings”, “gentleness”, “modesty” are acquired when “gentleness”, “modesty” are acquired when Ahimsa is the guiding philosophy of a person.Ahimsa is the guiding philosophy of a person.

4.4. TRUTHTRUTH ( SATYAM ) ( SATYAM ) Is one of the foremost virtues essential for a Is one of the foremost virtues essential for a

righteous living. righteous living.

The benefits accruing from indulging in untruthful The benefits accruing from indulging in untruthful practices sometimes provide short-term gains but practices sometimes provide short-term gains but can never serve the long- term interest of an can never serve the long- term interest of an individual or the society.individual or the society.

Truthfulness is, thus the basic requisite for Truthfulness is, thus the basic requisite for contentment in life.contentment in life.

5.5. EVEN TEMPEREVEN TEMPER ( AKRODHA ) ( AKRODHA ) Anger almost always arises from insatiate desires.Anger almost always arises from insatiate desires. Keep one’s temper under control, as far as Keep one’s temper under control, as far as

possible.possible. Anger does more harm to one’s own self than to Anger does more harm to one’s own self than to

the object of anger.the object of anger.6.6. PATIENCEPATIENCE ( KSHAMA ) ( KSHAMA ) It is the ability to preserve in the face of harsh It is the ability to preserve in the face of harsh

physical or emotional inconveniences coming physical or emotional inconveniences coming enroute the achievements of intended goals.enroute the achievements of intended goals.

7.7. FORTITUDEFORTITUDE ( DHRITI ) ( DHRITI ) A man with this quality is capable of meeting both A man with this quality is capable of meeting both

favourable or unexpectedly unfavourable favourable or unexpectedly unfavourable circumstances with a balanced equipoise.circumstances with a balanced equipoise.

He accepts the challenges of life without dejection, He accepts the challenges of life without dejection, particularly when the going gets tough.particularly when the going gets tough.

8.8. QUIETUDEQUIETUDE ( SHANTI ) ( SHANTI ) If a person can remain unruffled despite highly If a person can remain unruffled despite highly

disturbing environment, full of adverse happenings, disturbing environment, full of adverse happenings, he can retain his internal balance & emotional he can retain his internal balance & emotional harmony.harmony.

9.9. HUMILITYHUMILITY ( NA – ATI- MANITA )( NA – ATI- MANITA ) It literally means “absence of excess pride”.It literally means “absence of excess pride”. Arrogance is an obvious antonym of humility.Arrogance is an obvious antonym of humility. An arrogance person is generally unpopular. An arrogance person is generally unpopular.

““GITA” , lists three gates of hell :GITA” , lists three gates of hell : Desires – InsatiateDesires – Insatiate Anger - UncontrolledAnger - Uncontrolled Greed - The bottomless well.Greed - The bottomless well. When desire – gratifications lead to When desire – gratifications lead to

disappointment, anger soars up.Anger disappointment, anger soars up.Anger is ,thus , the storm of thought arising in the is ,thus , the storm of thought arising in the mind when desires are not fulfilled. Greed is mind when desires are not fulfilled. Greed is the result of overpowering desires for more the result of overpowering desires for more and more.All the three are interlinked, with and more.All the three are interlinked, with control stands of “desire.”control stands of “desire.”

These are the surest paths to make one’s These are the surest paths to make one’s life a miserable failure.life a miserable failure.

REMOVAL ; NEGATIVE THINKINGREMOVAL ; NEGATIVE THINKING

1.1. Do one thing at a timeDo one thing at a time – by doing one thing at a – by doing one thing at a time we derive maximum pleasure of it, resulting in time we derive maximum pleasure of it, resulting in qualitative improvement in the outcome of results.qualitative improvement in the outcome of results.

2.2. Hasten slowlyHasten slowly – by trying to hurry , one does not – by trying to hurry , one does not improve the quality of work.improve the quality of work.

3.3. Stop worrying and start livingStop worrying and start living – almost 80% of – almost 80% of the things which cause worry actually do not the things which cause worry actually do not happen.happen.

4.4. Total surrender : the way to ultimate successTotal surrender : the way to ultimate success – – why not surrender to the ultimate “driver of the why not surrender to the ultimate “driver of the cosmos” if not always – at least once a while.cosmos” if not always – at least once a while.

5.5. Live in the presentLive in the present – Only the present is real. The – Only the present is real. The past is gone, on which we have no control.The past is gone, on which we have no control.The future is always is uncertain. Planning for future is future is always is uncertain. Planning for future is not the same as e as worrying about it.not the same as e as worrying about it.

POWER OF PARADIGM SHIFTPOWER OF PARADIGM SHIFT

“ “ Change of Reference “Change of Reference “

Eg: PhotographEg: Photograph

RESULTS OF PARADIGM SHIFTRESULTS OF PARADIGM SHIFT

Eg: If you were an outsider brought into Eg: If you were an outsider brought into this company, how would you solve this this company, how would you solve this problem?problem?

Its only when take things apart switch them Its only when take things apart switch them around a bit and put them back together, that around a bit and put them back together, that you make true paradigm shift. You actively you make true paradigm shift. You actively define the future and not just repeat the past. define the future and not just repeat the past.

Optimist sayOptimist say- “I can do that”- “I can do that”

Pessimist sayPessimist say- “I can’t do that”- “I can’t do that”

- “That’s the way we’ve always - “That’s the way we’ve always

done it”done it”

- “That’s not in my job description”- “That’s not in my job description”

- “We’ve already tried that and it - “We’ve already tried that and it

didn’t work”didn’t work”

- “That’s never going to work”- “That’s never going to work”

BEING A “CAN DO” PERSONBEING A “CAN DO” PERSON YETYET ADMIT WHEN YOU ARE WRONGADMIT WHEN YOU ARE WRONG FIGHT ALL YOU CANFIGHT ALL YOU CAN NEVER GIVE UPNEVER GIVE UP CHOOSE TO WINCHOOSE TO WIN LEARN FROM OTHERSLEARN FROM OTHERS CONTRIBUTE MORE THAN YOU TAKECONTRIBUTE MORE THAN YOU TAKE LOVE AND BE LOVEDLOVE AND BE LOVED PERSIST UNTIL YOU SUCCEED PERSIST UNTIL YOU SUCCEED

THE “LAW OF THE HOUSE FLY”THE “LAW OF THE HOUSE FLY” The velocity of a house fly- direction The velocity of a house fly- direction

continually changing. Principle- as long as continually changing. Principle- as long as you have speed and direction, you have you have speed and direction, you have velocity.velocity.

We really don’t need many anchors in life…We really don’t need many anchors in life…we need sails.we need sails.

Believe in your abilities- “The enemy Believe in your abilities- “The enemy within”- stops our progress. No army, navy, within”- stops our progress. No army, navy, airforce- enemy uses deepest fears, small airforce- enemy uses deepest fears, small hesitations, difficult experiences- to work hesitations, difficult experiences- to work against.against.

Success weapons to combat- Success weapons to combat- determination eg: lima beans.determination eg: lima beans.

History is full of “impossible” that were History is full of “impossible” that were later proved possible.later proved possible.

SURVIVE SETBACKS WITH YOUR POSITIVE SURVIVE SETBACKS WITH YOUR POSITIVE ATTITUDE INTACTATTITUDE INTACT

EXPECT SETBACKEXPECT SETBACK CONTROL YOUR REACTIONCONTROL YOUR REACTION KEEP YOUR EYE ON YOUR GOALS EVEN KEEP YOUR EYE ON YOUR GOALS EVEN

IF YOU HAVE TO REVISE THEMIF YOU HAVE TO REVISE THEM RESOLVE TO GET THROUGH TOUGH RESOLVE TO GET THROUGH TOUGH

TIMES NO MATTER WHATTIMES NO MATTER WHAT WINTSON CHURCHILL- “NEVER GIVE UP. WINTSON CHURCHILL- “NEVER GIVE UP.

NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER”NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER”

MAKE A DIFFERENCEMAKE A DIFFERENCE

IDENTIFY A PROBLEMIDENTIFY A PROBLEM- ACTIVELY WORK - ACTIVELY WORK TO SOLVE IT.TO SOLVE IT.

EXAMINE YOUR FAMILY RELATIONSHIP EXAMINE YOUR FAMILY RELATIONSHIP AND RESOLVE TO PATCH UP ANY HOLESAND RESOLVE TO PATCH UP ANY HOLES

DECIDE TO BECOME THE LEADER AT DECIDE TO BECOME THE LEADER AT WORK- EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT THE BOSSWORK- EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT THE BOSS

DECIDE TO HELP INDIVIDUALLY WHERE DECIDE TO HELP INDIVIDUALLY WHERE YOU CANYOU CAN

RESOLVE TO MAKE THE WORLD A RESOLVE TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE THAN YOU FOUND IT.BETTER PLACE THAN YOU FOUND IT.

STORY OF JEFF.STORY OF JEFF.