Building Optimism In Teenagers

Building Optimism in Teenagers requires 5 steps.  The goal is to learn how to deal with setbacks with optimism.  Some of my greatest failures helped me to reinterpret and view setbacks optimistically.  I share some of those at the end of today's podcast.   The main focus of today's podcast is to help teens see setbacks and disappointments not as permanent, but temporary, not as pervasive, but specific, and not as personal (or pathological - "this is an imminent catastrophe"), but as empowering.  Building optimism is a very important cognitive skill.  So, I describe in detail the kinds of exploratory questions that can help teens process through their experience.   Gone are the days of just letting teens wallow in pain and "then they will get over it."  You know - soon they will come out of their room.  No, the research is clear that we can help people more than that.  Of course, give them time, but finding ways to promote the reflective life can build optimism.   See Dr. Dan’s new book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1935576062/?tag=medrounpublic-20