Have you ever wondered why some people find a way to see the positive in every situation, while others seem to focus on the negative?

• I've read dozens of books on psychology.

• Interviewed over 100 top performers

• Experienced lots of highs and lows in my business career & life

I've learned a crucial lesson I wish I had learned earlier.

The most powerful decision in life is taking ownership of your future.

"Learned Optimism", by Dr. Martin Seligman, is the best book I've read on this topic.

Dr. Seligman is a world-renowned expert on positive psychology. His theories of Learned Helplessness & Optimism are popular throughout the world, and he created a powerful framework that will change the way you view any adversity.

He calls this framework "ABCDE".

Here's what each letter stands for:

A - Activating Event: The event or situation that triggers a response.

B - Belief: The interpretation or belief about the activating event.

C - Consequence: The emotional and behavioral consequences that result from the belief.

D - Dispute: Challenging the initial belief and considering alternative explanations.

E - Energize: Developing a new, more positive belief that leads to better emotional and behavioral outcomes.

A, B and C happen to us all the time. The magic is in D and E. Taking ownership of whatever you experience, disputing any negative feelings and finding a way through the adversity always brings energy to the situation.

My life changed in 2013 when I decided to take ownership of my future and implement this framework.

Try the ABCDE framework next time you're dealing with something that's holding you back. By challenging your negative beliefs and replacing them with more positive, constructive ones, you can transform any adversity into an opportunity for growth.