A recruiter for an executive training course told Schwartz that most of the college students she interviewed seem more interested in career safety than personal success. They’re selling themselves short. One way to get a better perspective is to make a list of one’s assets, then for each asset list three successful people who don’t have that strength—“you will find you outrank many successful people on at least one asset” (77).

The mind thinks, not in words, but in pictures, and these images affect the attitude of both speaker and listener. Instead of saying that something is a problem, which creates a sense of difficulty and trouble, Schwartz advises to instead describe it as a challenge, which implies fun or adventure. Likewise, an expense, which suggests loss, can be described as an investment, which implies future profit.

When asked how you feel today, say: “Wonderful!” Describe others positively and favorably; back-biting will come back to bite you. Compliment and encourage others. Present plans in positive terms. Instead of, “Whether we like it or not, we’ve got a job to do,” say, “Here is some good news. We face a genuine opportunity .