Monday, June 25, 2012

Leila Mulla: Dr. Peale and the ‘Power of Positive Thinking’

Optimist Leila Mulla ponders on Dr. Norman Peale’s advice on embracing positivity. Dr. Peale, the progenitor of the theory of positive thinking, championed optimism more than 50 years ago with the release of his book, “The Power of Positive Thinking.”

Leila Mulla Image credit: Media.Lunch.com


Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, author of The Power of Positive Thinking may have written the book more than 50 years ago, but his advice on letting optimism into your life is ageless. For the esteemed minister and father of the theory of positive thinking, optimism means to believe in yourself. The secret, Dr. Peale wrote, is to "fill your mind with thoughts of faith, confidence, and security. This will force out or expel all thoughts of doubt, all lack of confidence." For positivist Leila Mulla, Dr. Peale gave the best advice: “Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers, you cannot be successful or happy.”

Leila Mulla Image credit: 1.bp.blogspot.com


Below are timeless gems of wisdom from Dr. Peale:

1. Do not be awestruck by other people and try to copy them. Nobody can be you as efficiently as you can. Remember also that most people, despite their confident appearance and demeanor, are often as scared as you are and as doubtful of themselves.

2. Gain self-knowledge. Learn the origin of your inferiority and self-doubts, which often begin in childhood.

3. Make a true estimate of your own ability -- then raise it 10%. Do not become egotistical, but develop a wholesome self-respect. Believe in your own powers.

4. Formulate and stamp indelibly on you mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. And hold this picture tenaciously.

5. Whenever a negative thought concerning your personal powers come into mind, deliberately voice a positive thought to cancel it out.

Leila Mulla Image credit: Blog.TracktheImpact.com


For positivity advocate Leila Mulla, Dr. Peale’s take on optimism is simple. It starts with you.

More positive thoughts from Leila Mulla are available in her Facebook page..