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Leading off this episode, Kurt introduces a recent article that discusses the effect of an optimistic spouse.\\xa0 This study was conducted by the University of Michigan and is the first study we know of that links the optimism of others to ourselves.\\xa0 Not only does it make us more optimistic, but it also shows increased health!\\xa0 In another effort to offend their listeners, Kurt and Steve discuss that if you\'re spouse isn\'t optimistic, it\'s time to get divorced (joking, of course).\\xa0

Top persuaders and influencers are inherently optimistic.\\xa0 There is a line, however, between "constructive" realism and optimism.\\xa0 We need to be able to understand threats and problems realistically.\\xa0 However there is a difference between being realistic and being excessively negative.\\xa0 Some people are programmed to be negative.\\xa0 All they know is how to find what\'s wrong.\\xa0 Persuading these type of people can be a challenge.\\xa0 Persuading them means you strategically give them something negative in an effort to control their negative perspective more.

An optimistic attitude literally adds years to your life.\\xa0 And it\'s not just quantity of life.\\xa0 The quality increases as well.\\xa0 Pessimistic people have a tendency to give in faster than others.\\xa0 With most sales being made after multiple attempts, pessimists are at a clear disadvantage here.\\xa0 Optimists are more likely to forge ahead and make adjustments when they fail.\\xa0 Their chances for success in the world of persuasion and influence increase exponentially as a result.\\xa0

Successful persuaders also have a gift when it comes to learning from mistakes, but moving on as quickly as possible.\\xa0 In sales and persuasion its common to have days where you feel like you got kicked in the teeth.\\xa0 Learn from those bumps in the road, then move forward immediately.\\xa0 Dwelling on the failure doesn\'t help.\\xa0 Learning from it and adjusting does.

Finally, Steve discusses the persuasion blunder of the week: A professor who accidentally taught the wrong class for a whole semester.\\xa0 Yep.\\xa0 It really happened.\\xa0