BOOK REVIEW | "The Power of Positivity - Optimism and the 7th sense" by Namrata
One of the key aspects of
personal development is optimism or the power of positive thinking. According
to research, positive thinking is a way of life that can be adapted to bring
about a huge change.
‘We become what we
think about.’
Bringing together her two decades of
experience as a thought leader, public speaker and life coach, author Padmakali Banerjee brings forth a brilliant concept of seventh sense and
provides a model for cultivating the spirit of optimism in her book ‘The
Power of Positivity – Optimism and the 7th
Sense’.
The author begins by telling us how the
word ‘optimism’
has a much deeper meaning than what we can see and how a driving force makes a
huge impact on our actions. Having researched for years over finding that one
thing which separates a successful person from others, the psychologist in her
concluded that it is the attitude.
Neatly divided into seven chapters,
this book begins by demystifying the ‘seventh sense’ and goes onto explain how one can
develop a positive outlook towards life irrespective of the circumstances, with
various examples and real life case studies to back the claims. Some examples date
back to medieval times and also talk about the different strategies applied by
Kings and Emperors to win wars.
“Overall,
in broader perspective, one is only a decision away when it comes to the
quality of our responses. It’s a choice we consciously make – to respond with
hope instead of fearing the worst, with encouragement other than criticism and
with indomitable belief rather than despair.” (Pg. 36, Passage 6)
This eventually leads us to question if
optimism can actually be acquired merely by making some changes in the thought
process and tuning the mindset accordingly. To which, she refers us to a study
done in 2006 which went on to prove that it is actually possible and the
results have been evident enough for everyone to witness.
This book also includes the Oi test (The Optimism Index test- You can
take it HERE)
which is used as a predictive test for success. Also known as PEROMA- Optimism
Index, this is a combination of the psychometric tool to predict successful
outcome with logical framework that deals with:
Positive Emotions
Engagement
Relationship Network
Optimism
Meaningful Purpose
Achievement
According to her, if one is able to
imbibe these traits in their life by practising it daily then success is
guaranteed. This test involves 60 random questions about personal and
professional life with multiple choice answers to be answered in twenty seconds.
There is no right or wrong answer, as the answers depend on your state of mind.
This test also helps in identifying if your thoughts are negative and have a
depressive trail in it. With timely intervention and proper guidance, one can
not only recover but also work towards building immunity for better life ahead.
This brings us to the topic of Optimism
Attitude Model (OAM) which has been developed for increasing the mental
efficiency of individuals. It has proven to help individuals overcome emotional
barriers while enabling them to deal with the complexities of life with ease.
Along with the Oi test, these two are considered to be crucial analysers of
selecting the right candidate for a job who will be beneficial to the company
in long run. Towards the end of the book, the author also shares at length how
to interpret your test results and analyse your optimism levels on the basis of
your scores before guiding us on how to improve the scores.
Amongst the many ways of practising
optimism, the most effective one is ‘Mindful Meditation’. The very fact that
pain and suffering are important for one’s growth and the acceptance that
nothing is permanent in life is enough to create a strong base for a positive
mindset to thrive. Needless to add, there are many ways to practice Mindful
meditation. Introducing us to the Labyrinth walk, she draws our attention to
this ancient practice akin to a maze that helps clear one’s head when it is brimming
with too many thoughts. The core objective of this exercise are the four Rs which
are- Reflect, Reframe, Renew and Rebalance our thoughts. After every labyrinth
walk, it is advisable to note down our thoughts as it helps in decoding the
innermost thoughts and feelings well.
The book talks about the different patterns of labyrinths practised for
different goals and the benefits it provides with comprehensive diagrams,
illustrations and pictures.
“We should never forget
that the spirit of optimism is the lifeline of our inherent energy, just like
the sun in the solar system and drives us all the way to higher levels of
achievement.” (Pg.
165)
Spanning across diverse fields ranging
from literature and politics to medicine and the corporate world, the
importance of a positive attitude stands out in every field. Citing examples of
successful people like Mark Zuckerberg, Rabindranath Tagore, Richard Branson,
Bill Gates, Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey and more, Padmakali Banerjee dissects their actions in great detail
for a reader to understand the what, why and how of the difference between them
and others.
Further, the author reiterates how
optimism is the need of the hour and though it is advisable that parents start
instilling these values from childhood, it is equally important for schools and
organisations to make this a part of their culture. Including it in the
curriculum could lead to positive results in students who in turn would grow up
to extremely confident and positive individuals making a huge difference to the
society.
Overall, this book promises to be a perfect handbook for everyone across age groups who want to practice optimism
and live with a positive mindset.
Strongly recommended for its lucid language and reader friendly content.
About the Reviewer :
Namrata is a lost wanderer who loves travelling the length and breadth of the world. She lives amidst sepia toned walls, fuchsia curtains, fairy lights and shelves full of books. When not buried between the pages of a book, she loves blowing soap bubbles. A published author she enjoys capturing the magic of life in her words and is always in pursuit of a new country and a new story.
Excellent review! Thanks
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