Urging people to be positive doesn’t boost their resilience. It denies their reality. When times are tough, we don’t need good vibes only. We need a hand to keep us steady through all the vibrations. Strength doesn’t come from forced smiles. It comes from feeling supported. link.chtbl.com/RTAdam
@AdamMGrant @SusanDavid_PhD I quite like the analogy of it being any other skill. Telling me to "just speak Japanese" doesn't help me at all - I still can't speak Japanese. Understanding that I can learn to speak Japanese is a bit more useful. Supporting me with the learning is even better.
@AdamMGrant @SusanDavid_PhD So true and inspiring! Thank you Adam 🫶
@AdamMGrant @SusanDavid_PhD That must be very hard, so stay positive. Say both? Imagination and dreams can provide motivation while recognizing the world of reality, if balanced. Many after a faith crisis forget how to do both and fall into depression bc they lost “just be positive”
@AdamMGrant @SusanDavid_PhD Valuable reminder. I’m curious re thoughts on interacting w/ the Eeyore whose radar is tuned to primarily see the downsides?
@AdamMGrant @SusanDavid_PhD This depends a lot on what life area the problem is in. x.com/StevenMusielsk…
@AdamMGrant @SusanDavid_PhD This depends a lot on what life area the problem is in. x.com/StevenMusielsk…
@AdamMGrant @SusanDavid_PhD True strength is in unity and shared resilience, not hiding behind smiles!
Sure, but the opposite side of the coin is a toxic negativity, such as people saying we're not allowed to share things that make us happy or bring positivity into the world and that's just as bad (and probably worse). We can recognize the experiences that we're all having. We can hear each others' stories. We can feel happy for others when they're happy and commiserate with those who are going through some hard things.
@AdamMGrant @SusanDavid_PhD True, strength emerges when we feel supported and understood during challenging times.
Everything contains a paradox. At the moment you think 'negative is bad', you forget negative attracts positive, and vice versa, and that 'positive is bad' too. Reality contains duality. There's nothing positive in hiding the negative. Everything needs balance. Radical balance.
@AdamMGrant @SusanDavid_PhD Unless you are @EricIdle we all need a regular dose of him singing Always Look On The Bright Side