OVERCOME PESSIMISM

by David Nuttle

Pessimism is caused by a mental attitude that creates concern over a perceived tragic or undesirable event. To overcome pessimism and focus on a positive outcome, the specific cause of any individual's pessimism needs to be identified so that cause may be altered to a mental perception of positive outcome. The usual causes of pessimism are:

a) External circumstances.

b) Difficult life events.

c) Anticipation of disaster.

d) Life experience.

e) Hostile threats.

f) Traumatic visions.

g) Emotional pain.

h) Negative self-perception.

i) Global/ security factors.

j) Selective attention.

k) Information processing failures.

l) Locus of control.

m Perceived negatives.

n) Life conditions.

o) Battlefield events.

p) Actual threats.

q) Fear patterns.

r) Locus of control.

s) Social/ economic factors.

t) Fear of natural disaster.

Self-examination is needed to identify each specific pessimism cause. In addition, all concerns should be discussed in detail with a good friend or professional therapist if one is available. Seek alternatives to eliminate the cause or causes of pessimism from your life. Act to alter the situation causing your pessimism. Do some mental "bootstrapping" to force a needed attitude change to eliminate the cause(s) of your pessimism!

At times any person may become their own worst enemy!!!!