The mindbodygreen Podcast 641: The science of real optimism & why positivity is holding you back | Deepika Chopra, Ph.D.
Mar 15, 2026
Deepika Chopra, Ph.D., clinical health psychologist and author known as The Optimism Doctor, explores what real optimism looks like. She clarifies why optimism is not toxic positivity and explains emotional flexibility as a trainable skill. She discusses why affirmations often fail, the seven-tenths rule, nervous system safety for growth, and using optimism tools during crisis.
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Optimism Is Resilience And Curiosity
- Optimism is resilience plus curiosity, not constant positivity.
- Deepika Chopra defines optimism as recognizing setbacks as temporary and being curious about how situations might change.
Use The Seven Tenths Rule For Affirmations
- Use the seven-tenths rule for affirmations: only use affirmations you believe at least 7/10.
- Deepika explains that weaker affirmations trigger counterevidence and can worsen self-view, so tailor believable statements.
You Get What You Expect More Than What You Want
- You rarely get exactly what you want but you usually get what you expect.
- The real work is closing the gap between desire and expectation by adjusting beliefs and actions toward likely outcomes.
