Optimism

[tconnor]

Self Motivation Tips #100
Optimism

Is the glass half full or half empty? Will this product, policy, strategy work or fail? Can I really achieve my dreams or am I living in fantasy-land? These and hundreds of questions are asked every day by well meaning and hard working people in all walks of life.

Lionel Tiger in his great book, Optimism, the Biology of Hope, written over 20 years ago discusses how optimism impacts a person’s attitudes, outlook, success and health. He suggests that people who are less optimistic about life, the present and the future tend to get sick more frequently and often die sooner. In the book, Learned Optimism by Segleman, he discusses how each of us begins every project, activity, task, relationship, career etc. with either a YES or a NO or a YES I can and I will or NO I can’t and I won’t in their hearts.

You can’t measure optimism. You can’t bottle it, regulate it, run out of it or manufacture it but you can learn to develop it if you will only take the time and effort. Some people feel it is better to be realistic than optimistic – why set yourself up for disappointment? Tell me what is realistic? Looking back over the past 100 years. Where would we be if: Edison, Bell, Gates, Ford, Land, Disney etall. were realistic? If their attitude had been, it hasn’t been done yet so I guess it can’t be done!

There are numerous benefits to having an optimistic outlook. And just as many pitfalls in not having one. Here are a few to consider.

Benefits:

• You will achieve more.
• You will have more fun.
• You will be happier.
• You will have more friends.
• You will enjoy life more.
• You will be healthier.

Pitfalls:

• You will tend to have poorer health.
• You will create more stress for yourself.
• You will tend to achieve less.
• You will tend to get stuck in negative life dramas.
• You will see yourself as a victim.
• You will be less successful.