How to Change Your Mind and Your Life - Learned Optimism

Dr. Seligman describes some of the causes for depression in his book Learned Optimism. More importantly, Dr. Seligman offers practical advice on changing one's thoughts to become a more optimistic thinker. Thinking more positive thoughts creates chemical changes in the brain that help fend off symptoms of depression. The book is great for people who suffer with bouts of depression. Since some instances of depression are situational, anyone can benefit from this book.

Reading this book made me more conscious of my internal dialogue and the power it has on our overall mental wellbeing. I bought this book because it was recommended by another author and well worth it. Now to share it with my kids.

I purchased this book to add to my collection of "self help" materials. I thought it was going to be just another "rah rah Anthony Robbins" type book. I came to find out this is serious stuff based on empirical evidence. The first few chapters are a little too scientific for someone like me, it took actually deep reading and putting the theories together. But then again, I am more of an Arts and Humanities than a Science Guy. Once you get past the scientific stuff (involves dogs), there is some mind bending life changing stuff to read. This book is more of a clinical research based book on "positive" psychology with concrete steps to take to turn negative thinking around. If you are looking for get happy cheerleading fluff, you can safely pass by this book!

Martin Seligman helps connect the dots between pessimism and depression, showing how our internal thoughts can create "walls." By changing towards optimism one can better cope with life's minor setbacks, and not turn them into catastrophes. Great read for those feeling helpless.

My expectation of this book has been reised too high by the book title and by the marketing poweer of the name "Martin Seligman". However I was little disappointed because the book is not telling anything newer then cognitive therapy.

Dr. Seligman makes a compelling argument for the causes and cures for pessimism. I'd recommend this book to entrepreneurs who struggle with the constant stress, and ups and downs, of owning a business where everything depends on you.

I jumped to the last three chapters with the exercises and was blown away by ease and effectiveness of Seligman's system. I thought there was no reason to read the rest of the book. Wrong. This is a fascinating, rigorous, and remarkably practical book that provides simple, easy-to-remember tools for raising one's level of optimism for life. Can't work for you? People always say that? It never works that way? Sounds like you need to read the book...

This book was very good. It was very encouraging and inspiring. I learned a lot from this book and would have given it five stars but I felt as if some material was repeated in the later part of book and was unnecessary.

I cannot speak highly enough about this book. It has changed my and several friends lives for the better. It helped me to identify exactly why I was a bit down, how to express it to others, and most importantly how to overcome.

Found Dr Seligman's research and explanations to be thorough and fascinating (a rare combination). After reading this book and taking the profile, I "changed" the way i think and I have passed this on to thousands of people in workshops and they "get it". Good strategies for thinkers of all ages....thanks, Dr Seligman...well-done!

I don't feel this book needs much introduction. It completely changed my outlook. Definitely geared for the "scientific mind", relying heavily on research and data, but is still an easy read. If you think you need to read this, DO IT!

This was a good book that not only offers practical advice for changing your learned thought processes but also cites specific studies that report on the benefits of being optimistic. I enjoyed the book. I thought the section that focused on the studies and evidence could have been a little shorter. I got the point after the first few.

Really interesting and convincing. With no doubt, this book is very different from most of self-help stuff. It is serious, it does not oversimplify, and - most important - it is based on sound scientific evidence.
Unfortunately, there is an error in the file, some of the text is mixed and overlaps, but only in one section.
But the book is great and certainly worth recommending.

This book is incredible! Seligman discusses how, through our life experiences and relationships, we have become pessimistic in our thought and how to cognitively now "learn" optimism. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has only the slightest bit of negative thinking!! Thanks to the most amazing Mary H for recommending this book - you are the BEST Life Coach anyone could be blessed with!

Dr Seligman is the father of Cognitive therapy. This book is easy for the layman to read, understand, and use as a tool for combatting depression. I reccommend all of Dr Seligmans books but this is a good framework for understanding later books like "Flourish"

Really interesting and convincing. With no doubt, this book is very different from most of self-help stuff. It is serious, it does not oversimplify, and - most important - it is based on sound scientific evidence.
Unfortunately, there is an error in the file, some of the text is mixed and overlaps, but only in one section.
But the book is great and certainly worth recommending.

This book is incredible! Seligman discusses how, through our life experiences and relationships, we have become pessimistic in our thought and how to cognitively now "learn" optimism. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has only the slightest bit of negative thinking!! Thanks to the most amazing Mary H for recommending this book - you are the BEST Life Coach anyone could be blessed with!

Dr Seligman is the father of Cognitive therapy. This book is easy for the layman to read, understand, and use as a tool for combatting depression. I reccommend all of Dr Seligmans books but this is a good framework for understanding later books like "Flourish"

A terrific story back up with lots of scientific facts on 'how' pessimism and optimism effects our lives. It read like a thriller.

Professor Seligman has dedicated his life researching the physical and psychological effects that the stories we tell ourselves manifest into physical reality. Pessimists have more ailments and less life success/happiness than optimists. Scientific study after study are chronicled in a narrative, highly readable manner.

He concludes the book by giving a system to monitor, assess, and re-evaluate our negative thoughts into positive thoughts.

This book (and the author) are brilliant!