Optimism is a learned skill like any other skill or habit you want to develop. Having an optimistic attitude can have a huge impact on your mental wellbeing and resilience, even boosting your immune system and lowering your blood pressure. Studies have shown that optimists have better career prospects and live longer happier lives.
In this test run of a new Weekly Live video, I’ll be starting this month, I shared five tips for developing a more optimistic view of the world.
Highlights from “Tips for Developing Your Daily Optimism”
Here is a summary of the points made in the mini-workshop:
1. Identify as an optimist
Self-talk is powerful! Start telling people you’re an optimist, and you’ll soon begin to believe it, and forget you were ever even slightly pessimistic.
2. Accentuate the positives
Notice and acknowledge the positive things around you. Small things like having good food, clean water, and being able to watch this Livestream for example. A good exercise is to list 3 to 10 things you’re grateful for every day – they don’t have to be big things, jot down whatever comes to mind.
3. Stop comparing
No good comes from comparing yourself to others. There will always be someone who is richer, thinner, more successful than you at any given point in time. Their success or luck isn’t connected to you at all. Think that if they can do it, so can you. Think abundance (there’s more than enough for everybody) instead of scarcity (if they’re successful then you can’t be).
4. Shift your focus
Optimism is dynamic and forward-looking. Develop a more optimistic outlook by moving on from the past and instead enjoy the present and actively look forward to the future. Optimists also don’t spend much time dwelling on whatever not-so-good things are in their lives. They acknowledge that bad things happen to everyone, and when bad things do happen, it’s not necessarily their fault.
Bad times come, and bad times go, and good times usually happen just as often.
5. Don’t get hung up on one outcome
Putting all your eggs in one basket is risky, and it’s highly likely you will be disappointed. It’s also harder to pick up and move on if things don’t work out. An optimist will be flexible about outcomes and see that there are lots of different possibilities. If this one didn’t work, another maybe even better opportunity will come along.
You Can Improve Your Optimism
Despite what you may think, optimism and pessimism are not hard-wired into people. These are qualities you can change. You can choose to develop a more positive outlook on life and find that you’ll have a happier, healthier, better life!
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