Your book, “The Power of Negative Thinking,” presents what could be considered an anti-Pollyanna vision of the world. I have to agree that eternally optimistic positive thinkers are incredibly annoying.

When I first started coaching, one of the worst things that I think I heard was “It will be O.K.” I would wonder, How the hell is it going to be O.K.? The worst word in the English language is “hope.”

Do you think you inherited this outlook from your family? I’m wondering if you were hugged a lot and told you could be president if you put your mind to it.

My dad was a very quiet person, and unbelievably tough. But my grandmother gave me my first look at negative thinking to bring about positive results. When I was just a little guy, anytime I came to my grandmother and said I wish for this or that, Grandma would say, “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.” I’m glad you asked me, because I don’t think they put this in the book. It’s supposed to be dedicated to my grandmother. Damn it — I’m going to call them.

I’m surprised to hear that your dad was quiet. I assumed he was very loud.

No, no, no, no. I don’t think my dad ever raised his voice to my mother or to me, ever.

Then where did the yelling come from?

A big part of teaching is being emphatic. Maybe I’m right or wrong, but part of my approach was that when I said something, the kids understood exactly what I meant and what I wanted.