Just about every way you can measure, the world is a better place today than it was before. Life expectancy is up, poverty down, even most environmental indicators aside from greenhouse gases have improved. Yet this is never the story. The story is always how the world, despite the nearly consistent progress over the last […]
Pragmatic Optimism: How Your Fears and Doubts Can Allow You to Succeed
Deep down, I’m a die-hard optimist. I believe the world is getting better and that the pursuit of the ideal life is possible and worthwhile. While I disagree with a lot of current self-help, I embrace the core premise: that we can become better people. But, as optimistic as I am about the pursuit itself, […]
Positive Thinking
There are two types of positive thinking. You can be optimistic about what you think, or you can be positive in how you think. One is useful and the other is dangerous. Unfortunately, the difference between the two is often subtle, and I rarely see anyone addressing this issue directly. Optimism – Dangerous Positive Thinking […]
The Vast, Unstatable Importance of a Positive Attitude
Note from Scott: Leo Babauta, head writer of Zen Habits, has offered to provide a guest post while I’m recovering. Check out Zen Habits for more great articles like this one. Or read the other popular articles he’s written for this website, Do Less to Be More Productive and 20 Procrastination Hacks. Photo courtesy of […]