Do you ever feel like a fraud in your professional realm? Do you secretly suspect that you have fooled others into thinking that you are more talented than you actually are? In spite of your achievements and successes, do you fear that one day you'll be found out, exposed as a sham, and ridiculed for being someone who is less than capable? Studies have estimated that up to 70% of us fear being labeled as phonies. The woman who is laid off may believe that she’s just been pulling the wool over a series of bosses' eyes, and finally the gig is up. She’ll never work again! I know one very accomplished professional woman with almost 20 years of successful corporate experience who is seriously making plans to become a bag lady.

“How do I keep the contagious effect of negativity from rubbing off on me?” That’s the question I’m most often asked by seminar participants. My reply: The Three P’s — inspired by the work of Dr. Martin Seligman, who has extensively studied what makes some people positive despite the most dire circumstances and what makes other people consistently negative no matter what positive things come their way.