Breaking Murphy's Law

Author(s):
Suzanne C. Segerstrom
Book summary:

Pollyannas take heart, pessimists take note: Recent studies on achievement and well-being show that optimistic behavior contributes to better physical health, greater resilience in the face of life’s twists and turns, and more satisfying relationships. As psychologist Suzanne Segerstrom reveals, optimists lay groundwork for the success they envision. While the rest of us worry whether our goals are attainable, those who practice optimism try to achieve theirs. Breaking Murphy’s Law shows you simple ways to develop the skills that natural-born optimists use to get what they want from life. Dr. Segerstrom helps you break free from the inertia of cynicism and self-doubt and encourages you to engage the world around you. “Doing optimism”--by getting involved, working hard, and enjoying your achievements--establishes a positive feedback loop that’s both personally transformative and self-perpetuating. This practical book imparts the lesson with a mix of humor and intelligence that will convince even the most hardened cynics that Murphy got it wrong.

Publication year:
2006
Publisher:
Guilford
Praise:
Quote:
Murphy’s Law — “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong” — is the antithesis of optimism. In a book called “Breaking Murphy’s Law,” Suzanne C. Segerstrom, a professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky, explained that optimism is not about being positive so much as it is about being motivated and persistent.
Credit:
Jane Brody, New York Times (5/21/2012)
Quote:
A wonderful counterpoint to the many self-help books out there that emphasize trying to be happy. Dr. Segerstrom shows how the headlong pursuit of happiness can actually be self-defeating, while effective optimism--focusing on motivation and persistence--can lead both to good feelings and genuine success in life. A 'must read.'
Credit:
Ed Diener, Ph.D.
Quote:
The book imparts the lessons of years of research on optimism with humor, thoughtfulness, and a convincing amount of evidence that is possible to break 'Murphy's Law' through optimistic expectations....Breaking Murphy's Law demonstrates that merely believing more positively will not lead to greater well-being and life satisfaction. Rather, success and happiness lie in the persistent motivational strategies that optimists adopt.
Credit:
PsycCRITIQUES
Quote:
Segerstrom backs up her words with tons of scientific research...She lightens it with humor in unexpected places, and makes a compelling argument.
Credit:
Newsday
Bio:
Photo:
Short bio:
Suzanne C. Segerstrom is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, where she pursues research, trains graduate students, and teaches courses in personality and health psychology. Her current research includes investigations into the effects of self-regulation, goals, and goal pursuit on psychological health and cardiovascular and immune function, particularly in older adults. Her book Breaking Murphy’s Law (Guilford, 2006) focuses on how optimism both leads to and follows from more effective goal pursuit. Dr. Segerstrom’s work has been sponsored by the NIH, the Norman Cousins Program in Psychoneuroimmunology, the Dana Foundation, and the Templeton Foundation. She is also the 2002 recipient of a Templeton Positive Psychology Prize for her work on optimism. Dr. Segerstrom has a B.A. with majors in Psychology and Music from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, where she was named the 2004 Outstanding Young Alumna. She received her M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Psychology from University of California, Los Angeles and her M.P.H. degree from University of Kentucky.
A&S department affiliation:
Book URL:
https://www.guilford.com/books/Breaking-Murphys-Law/Suzanne-Segerstrom/9781593855925
Book keywords: