A guide for replacing wishful thinking with optimal realism to optimize America in tough times.

It took the tragedy of September 11 for the world to realize that when the cost of failure is high, optimism can be disastrous. Clearly, if we are to survive and evolve, we must embrace our vulnerability with optimal realism, and create the best contingency plans for worst event scenarios. We need to embrace Optimal Thinking as the successor to optimism and positive thinking. Created by Dr. Rosalene Glickman, recipient of the "Woman of the Year" award for National Business Women's Week in Hollywood, Optimal Thinking enables us to avoid the fear, anger, disillusionment and trauma caused by unrealistic expectations -- and to be at our best in every type of circumstance. In response to the recent acts of terrorism, Dr. Glickman has provided a simple complimentary six-step guide, Optimal Thinking for the Tough Times, which shows us how to place our best self in charge during these traumatic times, at http://www.optimalthinking.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact Anne West
Tel: (310) 557-2761 Fax: (310) 557-2762 anne@optimalthinking.com

To Optimize America,
It's Time to Replace Wishful Thinking With Optimal Realism

Los Angeles, September 19, 2001 -- It took the tragedy of September 11 for the world to realize that when the cost of failure is high, optimism can be disastrous. Clearly, if we are to survive and evolve, we must embrace our vulnerability with optimal realism, and create the best contingency plans for worst event scenarios.

We need to embrace Optimal Thinking as the successor to optimism and positive thinking. Created by Dr. Rosalene Glickman, recipient of the "Woman of the Year" award for National Business Women's Week in Hollywood, Optimal Thinking enables us to avoid the fear, anger, disillusionment and trauma caused by unrealistic expectations -- and to be at our best in every type of circumstance. In response to the recent acts of terrorism, Dr. Glickman has provided a simple complimentary six-step guide, Optimal Thinking for the Tough Times, which shows us how to place our best self in charge during these traumatic times, at http://www.optimalthinking.com.

In an interview today, Dr. Glickman said: "Every situation, even disasters, provides an opportunity to be our best. After eighteen years of research, I concluded that positive thinking is dangerous and often no more than wishful thinking. Optimal Thinking is not optimism -- it is optimal realism.

Dr. Glickman's book, Optimal Thinking: How To Enjoy the Best Life Has To Offer was Simon & Schuster's best-selling book of the year in Australia. Optimal Thinking has been translated into four languages. An Americanized version will be published by John Wiley & Sons early next year.

Optimal Thinking empowers us to make the most of our thinking. It is the language of our best self and enables us to maximize any situation, to put to rest the 'could haves' and 'should haves' once and for all. We learn how to ask the best questions, obtain the best solutions and make the most constructive decisions, regardless of our circumstances. Optimal Thinking is easily learned, instantly applied and requires no leap of faith.

Dr. Glickman, who lives in Los Angeles, was born in Australia. She earned a Ph.D. in psychology, a diploma in teaching and another degree in business administration. She is president of The World Academy of Personal Development Inc., a management consulting firm in Beverly Hills, California. She has provided training and consultation for numerous individuals and organizations such as California State University, Fullerton (Department of Management), the Fifth International Conference on Thinking, Mensa, Warner Bros., Mercedes-Benz, Citigroup, and American Business Women's Association.

Dr. Glickman is currently available for media interviews.

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OPTIMAL THINKING FOR THE TOUGH TIMES
By Rosalene Glickman, Ph.D.
http://www.optimalthinking.com

1.   Respect and embrace your vulnerability. Allow yourself to grieve. You are human.

2.   Accept reality. What is, is.
3.   Ask yourself:
What am I afraid of?
What hurts?
What have I lost?
Why do I feel this way?
What is my best strategy to overcome this?
What are my most constructive options? Which is best?
What is the worst thing that can happen?
What is the best thing I can do if this occurs?

4.   Ask yourself ongoingly:
How can I be my best at this time?
What are the wisest actions I can take today?
What are the most loving actions I can take?
What is the most constructive use of my time right now?

5.   Stay focused with questions like:
What do I want above all else?
What are the best actions I can take to achieve it?
What is the best action I can take right now?

6.   Ask:
What's best for me?
What's best for you?
Then work out what is best for all of us!