While we are all aware of these kinds of behaviors because we see them in others, most of us do not realize that we distort our own view of the world, largely because we think we see more than we actually do.

Type A and B styles are not styles of the mind, but habits of the whole body.

It starts with framing. Explicitly emphasizing the complexity or novelty of a situation helps put you in the right state of mind.

People such as James West and Jennifer Heemstra and Clarence Dennis skillfully applied the lessons they gleaned from painful setbacks as part of building successful and fulfilling lives. But we’re not hardwired to confront failure thoughtfully; we have to learn to do it.

But defensive minds are neither creative nor cooperative.