What is Optimal Thinking?

Optimal Thinking is the mental technology that empowers you to be your best. It stops you from settling for second best.

One of the most exciting aspects of Optimal Thinking is that at this very moment and at any time in the future, you can optimize your thinking. Just as you can choose to think positively or negatively, you can choose to think Optimally or sub-optimally. You can easily take the quantum leap!

Imagine you agree to meet a friend for dinner at an average restaurant. Your choice of dress is mediocre. The restaurant is moderately attractive and the chairs are reasonably comfortable. The food is somewhat ordinary, nothing to write home about. The background music is okay. Your friend is basically a sub-optimal thinker. She talks about her husband for most of the evening. She tells you that he is giving her a hard time and that she¡¯s fed up. She even cracks some pretty good jokes at his expense. You listen and agree that he¡¯s a jerk. You don¡¯t attempt to find a solution.

Let¡¯s tune in on part of the conversation:

SUB-OPTIMAL THINKER: My husband is really getting on my nerves. He treats me well sometimes, but he¡¯s verbally abusive. I¡¯m tired of walking on eggshells around him. When it comes to our relationship, he always gives his full 34%!
SUB-OPTIMAL YOU: He¡¯s a jerk. Why do you put up with him?
SUB-OPTIMAL THINKER: I¡¯m afraid of being alone and I don¡¯t believe I¡¯ll find anyone better.
SUB-OPTIMAL YOU: If that¡¯s how you feel, I guess you¡¯re just going to have to grin and bear it.

How do you both feel now?

Now imagine yourself as an Optimal Thinker. You arrange to meet the same friend for dinner at your favorite restaurant. You are looking your best. The ambiance is just right and the seating is entirely comfortable. You agree that the food couldn¡¯t be better. The resident pianist even plays your favorite music.

Your friend shares her problem. You direct the conversation toward discovering the best solution and the most effective actions to implement. You assist your friend in minimizing her weaknesses and maximizing her strengths and opportunities. You focus on her finest attributes, favorite activities, and the best means of achieving her most important goals. You bring out the best in her!

Let¡¯s tune in now to your Optimal responses to the same comments previously made by your friend:

SUB-OPTIMAL THINKER: My husband is really getting on my nerves. He treats me well sometimes, but he¡¯s verbally abusive. I¡¯m tired of walking on eggshells around him. When it comes to our relationship, he always gives his full 34%!
OPTIMAL YOU: It sounds like you¡¯re having a really hard time. Why are you tolerating his bad behavior? What are your options? What do you think is the best way to resolve this?
SUB-OPTIMAL THINKER: I don¡¯t stand up to him because I¡¯m scared he¡¯ll leave me, and I¡¯m afraid of being alone. I just can¡¯t keep tolerating the abuse.
OPTIMAL YOU: So what¡¯s your best strategy?
SUB-OPTIMAL THINKER: I need to overcome my fear of being alone. I have noticed that when I treat myself respectfully, I like my own company. I¡¯ll just have to refuse to tolerate his hostile behavior.
OPTIMAL YOU: That sounds right. What¡¯s the most effective way to approach this so that you achieve what¡¯s best for both of you?
SUB-OPTIMAL THINKER: Good question. The next time my husband is verbally abusive, I¡¯ll say: "I love you, but this behavior is no longer acceptable to me. I can¡¯t be available for this. When you¡¯re ready to treat me respectfully, please let me know." I will remove myself from his presence if he continues to treat me badly.

How do you both feel now? How does it feel to be your best and bring out the best in others? This is what Optimal Thinking is all about! With practice, Optimal Thinking will become second nature to you.