Optimal thinking

Optimal thinking is a term coined by Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., to describe the mental basis of best practices and peak performance. Optimal thinking can also be described as superlative realism. Instead of hoping for the best (optimism), optimal thinkers ask “What’s the best thing I/we can do under the circumstances?” or “What’s the most constructive action I can take in this situation?”
The term first appeared in the title of Glickman’s book Optimal Thinking: How to Enjoy the Best Life Has to Offer published in 1990. Subsequently, Optimal Thinking: How to Be Your Best Self was published in English and 16 languages where optimal thinking was differentiated from suboptimal positive thinking. See below:
Suboptimal Positive Thinking Optimal Thinking
good, better best
great greatest
high, higher highest, peak, top
smart, smarter smartest
important most important
enjoyable most enjoyable
profitable most profitable
effective most effective
improve, manage, increase maximize, optimize, make the most of
outstanding most outstanding
With suboptimal positive thinking, we focus on the value in ourselves, in others, and in the world. We approach life with a “can do” and “will do” attitude. Such positive thinking fuels persistence, and motivates us to be productive, efficient, and successful. However, there are five reasons why suboptimal positive thinking falls short:
1. Suboptimal positive thinking is often used to suppress negativity
2. Suboptimal positive thinking can be no more than wishful thinking
3. Suboptimal positive thinking has different shades (for example: some people seek good solutions, others seek great solutions)
4. Suboptimal thinking is not the mental basis of peak performance
5. If we don't optimize a situation, we don't complete it
In contrast:
1. Those who employ optimal thinking embrace the negative, then optimize
2. Optimal thinking is realistic - it is not optimism
3. Optimal thinking is the common form of thinking that empowers us to be our best and communicate at our peak
4. Optimal thinking is the mental basis of peak performance
5. Optimal thinkers choose the best option, then put the issue to rest
Books
Optimal Thinking: How to Enjoy the Best Life Has to Offer, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 1990, Simon & Schuster Australia, ISBN 0-7318-0103-2
Bestmogliches Denken, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 2000, Beust Verlag (German), ISBN 3-89530-034-9
Optimal Denken, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 2000, Uitgeverij Elmar B.V. (Dutch), ISBN 90-389-0999-3
Il Pensiero Ottimale, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 2000, Gruppo Editoriale Armenia (Italian), ISBN 88-344-1186-2
Optimal Thinking: How to Be Your Best Self, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 2002, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., ISBN 0-471-41464-6
Myslenie Optymalne, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 2002, Wydawnictwo Amber Spolka (Polish), ISBN 83-241-1179-4
Optimal Thinking, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 2003, Hainan Publishing House (Chinese),ISBN 7-5443-0732-8
Optimal Thinking, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 2003, Jeesam Book Publisher (Korean), ISBN 89-88462-76-9
Gindirea Optima, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 2003, Editura Humanitas (Romanian), ISBN 973-50-0537-9
Optimal Dusunce, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 2004, Kuraldisi Yayincilik (Turkish), ISBN 975-275-012-5
Optimal Thinking, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 2005, Scribe Publishing Pty. Ltd. (English-Australia & New Zealand), ISBN 1-920769-52-8
Optimal Thinking, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 2005, Iztok-Zapad Publishing House (Bulgarian)
Pensamiento Optimo, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 2005, T & M Editores S.R.L. (Spanish), ISBN 987-21907-1-2
Optimal Thinking, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 2005, Welearn Co. Ltd. (Thai)
Optimal Thinking, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 2005, Manjul Publishing House Pvt. Ltd. (English-Indian version), ISBN 81-89631-00-4
Optimal Thinking, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 2005, Business Weekly Publications (Complex Chinese), ISBN 986-124-466-2
Optimal Thinking, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 2006, PT Bhuana Ilmu Popular (Indonesian), ISBN 979-798-155-X
Optimal Thinking, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 2006, The English Agency (Japan), 978-4-902807-04-2
Optimal Thinking, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 2008, Prime-Evroznak Ltd. Co. (Russian), ISBN 978-5-93878-692-9
Optimal Thinking, Rosalene Glickman Ph.D., 2008, Nahdet Misr (Arabic), ISBN 977-14-4289-9

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