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Positive Thinking and Thriving

Staying positive is difficult. Everyone has stress in their life, whether it’s from family, work or school. With all the stress you carry, it can feel difficult to remain optimistic in the face of adversity. Thankfully, positive thinking is a skill that can be learned. Everyone has the capability to approach any situation with a more positive outlook, and this course will help you unlock that potential.

With the expertise of Dr. Shari Collins from the ASU School of Humanities, the Positive Thinking and Thriving course will put the tools, knowledge and strategies of positive thinking directly into your hands. You’ll learn the fundamentals and get acquainted with your positive thinking toolkit. Then, you’ll directly apply them in hands-on scenarios.

Positive thinking is finding optimism where there would normally be pessimism, finding meaning in events and empowering yourself to grow. Take the next step on your mindfulness and positivity journey today!

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What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to Positive Thinking and Thriving!

Forming better self-talk habits

Putting mindfulness into action

Achieving autonomy in the workplace

Course Conclusion

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops coping mechanisms for stress encountered in both personal and professional environments

Explores strategies to improve self-talk and increase optimism

Provides practical techniques for implementing mindfulness in daily life

Focuses on the development of personal autonomy in the workplace

Emphasizes the importance of positive thinking for personal growth and well-being

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Positive Thinking and Thriving with these activities:

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Start by reviewing the course syllabus and reading any assigned introductory materials. This will give you a solid foundation for the rest of the course.

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Read the course syllabus and familiarize yourself with the course schedule and requirements.
Review any assigned introductory readings or videos.

Practice mindfulness techniques

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Mindfulness exercises can help you stay present, reduce stress, and cultivate a more positive outlook.

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Find a quiet place where you can sit or lie down comfortably.
Close your eyes and focus on your breath, noticing the rise and fall of your chest.
When your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your breath.

Review key concepts of Positive Thinking

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Taking time to refresh your understanding of the fundamentals of Positive Thinking can reinforce your learning and enhance your ability to apply these principles effectively.

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Review your notes from previous classes or online resources.
Take practice quizzes or tests to assess your understanding.
Attend workshops or webinars on Positive Thinking to gain additional insights.
Re-read key chapters from books or articles that you found particularly helpful.

Four other activities

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Create a personal Positive Thinking Journal

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Regular reflection and documentation of your thoughts and experiences will help you cultivate a more positive mindset.

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Choose a notebook or journal specifically for recording your Positive Thinking practices.
Set aside time each day to write in your journal, reflecting on positive experiences, thoughts, and accomplishments.
Include gratitude exercises by writing down things you're grateful for each day.

Join a Positive Thinking support group or forum

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Connecting with like-minded individuals can provide encouragement, support, and accountability on your Positive Thinking journey.

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Search online for Positive Thinking forums or groups in your local community.
Join a group that aligns with your interests and goals.
Actively participate in discussions, share your experiences, and support others.

Read and discuss books on Positive Thinking

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Books by experts in Positive Thinking can provide valuable insights, tools, and inspiration to support your learning.

View Secrets of Adulthood: Simple Truths for Our... on Amazon

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Select books that resonate with your interests and learning goals.
Read the books attentively, highlighting key concepts and passages.
Join or start a book club to discuss your insights and experiences with others.

Practice positive self-talk

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Regularly challenging negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones can rewire your brain and cultivate a more positive mindset.

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Identify negative thought patterns that you want to shift.
Create positive affirmations that counteract the negative thoughts.
Repeat your affirmations throughout the day, especially during challenging situations.
Be patient and persistent with your practice, as it takes time to rewire thought patterns.

Career center

Learners who complete Positive Thinking and Thriving will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Life Coach

Life coaches help individuals identify and achieve personal and professional goals. The Positive Thinking and Thriving course can help life coaches develop the skills necessary to effectively guide clients toward positive thinking and thriving. The course covers topics such as forming better self-talk habits, putting mindfulness into action, and achieving autonomy in the workplace, all of which are essential skills for life coaches.

See salaries and explore the career path for Life Coach

Psychologist

Psychologists help people understand and manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The Positive Thinking and Thriving course can help psychologists develop the skills necessary to effectively help clients develop positive thinking patterns and coping mechanisms. The course covers topics such as forming better self-talk habits, putting mindfulness into action, and achieving autonomy in the workplace, all of which are essential skills for psychologists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Psychologist

Social Worker

Social workers help people navigate social and emotional challenges. The Positive Thinking and Thriving course can help social workers develop the skills necessary to effectively support clients in developing positive coping mechanisms and resilience. The course covers topics such as forming better self-talk habits, putting mindfulness into action, and achieving autonomy in the workplace, all of which are essential skills for social workers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Counselor

Counselors help people with mental health issues and life challenges. The Positive Thinking and Thriving course can help counselors develop the skills necessary to effectively support clients in developing positive thinking patterns and coping mechanisms. The course covers topics such as forming better self-talk habits, putting mindfulness into action, and achieving autonomy in the workplace, all of which are essential skills for counselors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Counselor

Teacher

Teachers help students learn and grow. The Positive Thinking and Thriving course can help teachers develop the skills necessary to create a positive and supportive learning environment for their students. The course covers topics such as forming better self-talk habits, putting mindfulness into action, and achieving autonomy in the workplace, all of which are essential skills for teachers.

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Nurse

Nurses provide care and support to patients. The Positive Thinking and Thriving course can help nurses develop the skills necessary to provide compassionate and effective care to their patients. The course covers topics such as forming better self-talk habits, putting mindfulness into action, and achieving autonomy in the workplace, all of which are essential skills for nurses.

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EMT

EMTs provide emergency medical care. The Positive Thinking and Thriving course may be useful for EMTs in developing the skills necessary to manage stress and make sound decisions in high-pressure situations. The course covers topics such as forming better self-talk habits, putting mindfulness into action, and achieving autonomy in the workplace, all of which may be beneficial for EMTs.

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Paramedic

Paramedics provide advanced emergency medical care. The Positive Thinking and Thriving course may be useful for paramedics in developing the skills necessary to manage stress and make sound decisions in high-pressure situations. The course covers topics such as forming better self-talk habits, putting mindfulness into action, and achieving autonomy in the workplace, all of which may be beneficial for paramedics.

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Firefighter

Firefighters protect and serve the public. The Positive Thinking and Thriving course may be useful for firefighters in developing the skills necessary to manage stress and make sound decisions in high-pressure situations. The course covers topics such as forming better self-talk habits, putting mindfulness into action, and achieving autonomy in the workplace, all of which may be beneficial for firefighters.

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Police Officer

Police officers protect and serve the public. The Positive Thinking and Thriving course may be useful for police officers in developing the skills necessary to manage stress and make sound decisions in high-pressure situations. The course covers topics such as forming better self-talk habits, putting mindfulness into action, and achieving autonomy in the workplace, all of which may be beneficial for police officers.

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Athletic Trainer

Athletic trainers help athletes prevent and treat injuries. The Positive Thinking and Thriving course may be useful for athletic trainers in developing the skills necessary to motivate and support athletes in their recovery. The course covers topics such as forming better self-talk habits, putting mindfulness into action, and achieving autonomy in the workplace, all of which may be beneficial for athletic trainers.

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Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists help people regain or improve their ability to perform everyday activities. The Positive Thinking and Thriving course may be useful for occupational therapists in developing the skills necessary to motivate and support clients in their recovery. The course covers topics such as forming better self-talk habits, putting mindfulness into action, and achieving autonomy in the workplace, all of which may be beneficial for occupational therapists.

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Physical Therapist

Physical therapists help people regain or improve their mobility and function. The Positive Thinking and Thriving course may be useful for physical therapists in developing the skills necessary to motivate and support clients in their recovery. The course covers topics such as forming better self-talk habits, putting mindfulness into action, and achieving autonomy in the workplace, all of which may be beneficial for physical therapists.

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Speech Therapist

Speech therapists help people improve their communication skills. The Positive Thinking and Thriving course may be useful for speech therapists in developing the skills necessary to motivate and support clients in their recovery. The course covers topics such as forming better self-talk habits, putting mindfulness into action, and achieving autonomy in the workplace, all of which may be beneficial for speech therapists.

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Massage Therapist

Massage therapists help people reduce stress and improve their overall well-being. The Positive Thinking and Thriving course may be useful for massage therapists in developing the skills necessary to create a positive and relaxing environment for their clients. The course covers topics such as forming better self-talk habits, putting mindfulness into action, and achieving autonomy in the workplace, all of which may be beneficial for massage therapists.

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Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Positive Thinking and Thriving.

Positive Psychology

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Comprehensive reference work on positive psychology. It provides an overview of the latest research on all aspects of positive psychology. This book useful reference tool for anyone interested in learning more about positive psychology or using it in their life.

Positive Thinking and Thriving

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What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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