The power of optimism

“Sometimes when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place.”
J. Lynn (Jennifer L. Armentrout)

Do you usually see the glass as half empty or half full? How we perceive the world around us is a choice we all make each and every moment of our lives.

Intentionally choosing an optimistic outlook will not only make us happier, but according to a recent article on PositivePsychology.com – and it’s no surprise, really  –  optimism positively affects our health, our motivation and performance, and our careers. Written by Psychologist Catherine Moore, MBA, an HR manager with a passion for positive psychology research, the article offers tips and a review of Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life by Martin Seligman.

Advantage Partner Mary Steiner, based in Minneapolis, a habitual optimist, recently shared some thoughts on LinkedIn that bear repeating here:

Confession of an optimist: “Oh, you’re such an optimist!” I’ve heard this many times in my life and it was not always intended as a positive thing. Sometimes I was being challenged to be more realistic, other times I was being asked to acknowledge that it was going to be hard, and on occasion, it had a positive intent. Thanks to Liz Wiseman’s work I have become aware of the potential blind spots of being wired to see the upside and the risk of diminishing others. As a leader and consultant, I’m working to balance the good of being an optimist with the unintended risk.

Over 20 years ago, I read a little paragraph that was simply titled, Promise Yourself. It’s been posted at my desk all these years, and during this past year, it’s reminded me, inspired me, directed me. And then I recently discovered it’s called The Optimist Creed by Christian D. Larson. Optimist or not, see if you have some promises you want to make.

Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. To make your friends feel that there is something in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear and too happy to permit the presence of trouble. To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words but great deeds. To live in faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

Christian D. Larson – The Optimist Creed

Care to comment? Share your thoughts on optimism with Mary on LinkedIn here.

CORRECTION: Our email newsletter incorrectly attributed the article to Psychology Today. It appears on PositivePsychology.com, a community of practitioners, a knowledge base, and a science-based online resource for courses, techniques, tools, and tips for putting positive psychology into practice every day.

One great thing for 04.26.22 – TED Talk | Kevin Kelly: The future will be shaped by optimists