Dr. Seymour Epstein of the University of Massachusetts researched the thinking
styles of highly successful people.… The most interesting survey result
was the fact that superachievers think differently than average achievers.
Dr. Epstein found nine key differences:
- Superachievers think in ways that make them less sensitive to disapproval
and rejection. They brush off rejection faster.
- They think in ways that facilitate effective action.
- Their thoughts are more focused on the task at hand and they refuse to
let their minds drift to unpleasant events of the past.
If they cannot do anything about a negative situation, they do not worry about
it and they move on with their lives.
- They do not engage in superstitious thoughts.
- The think that failures are an important source of learning and refuse
to equate failure with low self-worth. Thinking constructively saves them
from wasting time and suffering psychological pain.
- They do not restrict their thinking by establishing rigid patterns. They
do not divide others into "winners" and "losers," but
accept people for who they are as individuals.
- They think thoughts through without jumping to false conclusions. They
are able to see their actions and the world in a healthy and realistic perspective.
They are optimists, yet think realistically.
- They welcome challenges with optimism and without fear. When they face
difficulties, they find ways to look at the positive side of life.
- They do not waste time in unproductive, esoteric, or catastrophic thoughts.
They think constructively and they know that their level of thinking determines
their level of success.