Positive mental attitude

{{Short description|The importance of positive thinking as a contributing factor of success}}

Positive mental attitude (PMA) is a concept first introduced in 1937 by Napoleon Hill in the book Think and Grow Rich. The book never actually uses the term, but discusses the importance of positive thinking as a contributing factor of success.{{cite book|last=Hill|first=Napoleon|title=Think and grow rich|year=1960|publisher=Fawcett Crest|location=Greenwich, Conn.|isbn=0449214923|edition=Rev.|url=https://archive.org/details/thinkgrowrich00hill_3}} Napoleon, who along with W. Clement Stone, founder of Combined Insurance, later wrote Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude, defines positive mental attitude as comprising the 'plus' characteristics represented by words as faith, integrity, hope, optimism, courage, initiative, generosity, tolerance, tact, kindliness and good common sense.{{cite book|last=Hill|first=Napoleon|title=Success through a positive mental attitude|year=1987|publisher=Pocket Books|location=New York|isbn=0671743228|author2=Stone, W. Clement Stone |author3=preface by Og Mandino |author4= with a new introduction by W. Clement }}

Positive mental attitude is that philosophy which asserts that having an optimistic disposition in every situation in one's life attracts positive changes and increases achievement.{{cite journal |last1=Eagleson |first1=Claire |title=The power of positive thinking: Pathological worry is reduced by thought replacement in Generalized Anxiety Disorder |journal=Behaviour Research and Therapy |date=March 2016 |volume=78 |pages=13–18 |doi=10.1016/j.brat.2015.12.017|pmid=26802793 |doi-access=free |pmc=4760272 }} Adherents employ a state of mind that continues to seek, find and execute ways to win, or find a desirable outcome, regardless of the circumstances. This concept is the opposite of negativity, defeatism and hopelessness. Optimism and hope are vital to the development of PMA.{{cite book|editor-last=Chang|editor-first=Edward C.|title=Optimism & pessimism implications for theory, research, and practice|year=2001|publisher=American Psychological Association|location=Washington, DC|isbn=1-55798-691-6|pages=101–125|edition=1st}}

Positive mental attitude (PMA) is the philosophy of finding greater joy in small joys, to live without hesitation or holding back our most cherished, held in high esteem, and highest personal virtues and values. Empirical research suggests that individuals who engage in positive self-talk and maintain a mindful approach to their internal dialogues tend to exhibit greater self-control and resilience which is crucial for personal and professional growth, highlighting the significance of self-regulation and mindfulness in fostering a positive mental attitude.{{Cite journal |last1=Racy |first1=Famira |last2=Morin |first2=Alain |date=January 2024 |title=Relationships between Self-Talk, Inner Speech, Mind Wandering, Mindfulness, Self-Concept Clarity, and Self-Regulation in University Students |journal=Behavioral Sciences |language=en |volume=14 |issue=1 |pages=55 |doi=10.3390/bs14010055 |doi-access=free |issn=2076-328X |pmc=10813701 |pmid=38247707}} Furthermore, research on leadership strategies suggest that a positive mental attitude, characterized by a proactive approach to personal and organizational challenges, significantly improves leadership effectiveness and success in leadership roles.{{Cite journal |last1=Dobbins |first1=R. |last2=Pettman |first2=B.O. |date=1997-01-01 |title=Self-development: the nine basic skills for business success |url=https://doi.org/10.1108/02621719710174011 |journal=Journal of Management Development |volume=16 |issue=8 |pages=521–667 |doi=10.1108/02621719710174011 |issn=0262-1711}}