Ready for feeling more success in life?  Maybe it’s time for you to change your point of view

“Two men look out through the same bars: One sees the mud, and one sees the stars.”- Frederick Langbridge

If you’ve placed second in a contest, will you jump for joy and push for better results the next time or will you be discouraged and find an excuse not to join again?

In life, you always have choices. You may opt to have a pessimistic view and live a self-defeating life or you may decide to take the optimist’s road and make it a challenging and fulfilling life.

So why nurture an optimistic point of view? And why now?

Optimism has been linked to positive mood and good morale; to success in all aspects of life; to popularity; to good health and even to long life and freedom from turmoil and trauma.

Having said all that, the rates of depression and pessimism have never been higher. It affects middle-aged adults the same way it hits younger people. The average age of some kind of depression or life purpose angst has gone from 30 to 15. It is no longer a middle-aged housewife’s burden but also a teen-ager’s issue also.

Let’s review how optimists act and react…

Optimists expect the best

The defining characteristic of pessimists is that they tend to believe bad events, which will last a long time and undermine everything they do, are their own fault.

The truth is optimists are confronted with the same problems and issues of this world. What differs is the way they explain their misfortune – it’s the opposite to a pessimistic view. They tend to believe defeat is just a temporary setback, that it’s causes are confined to this one issue.

Optimists tend to focus on and plan for the ‘problem’ at hand. They use ‘positive interpretation.’ In other words, they most likely interpret a negative experience in a way that helps them learn and grow. Such people are unfazed by bad situation; they perceive it as a challenge and work harder.

They don’t say things like ‘Things will never get better’ ,’If I failed once, I’ll fail again’  and  ‘If I experience misfortune in one part of my life, then it will happen in my whole life’.

The positive expectations of optimists also predict better reactions during transitions to new environments, sudden tragedies and unlikely turns of events. If they fall, they will stand up. They see opportunities instead of obstacles.

People respond positively to optimists

Optimists are proactive and less dependent on others for their happiness. They find no need to control or manipulate people. They usually draw people towards them. Their optimistic view of the world can be contagious and influence those they are with.

Optimism seems a socially desirable trait in all communities. Those who share optimism are generally accepted while those who spread gloom, panic and hysteria are avoided.

In life, these people often win elections; get voted most congenial and sought for advice.

When the going gets tough, optimists get tougher 🙂

Optimists typically maintain higher levels of subjective well-being during times of stress than those who are less optimistic. In contrast, pessimists are likely to react to stressful events by denying that they exist or by avoiding dealing with problems. Pessimists are more likely to quit trying when difficulties occur.

Optimists persevere. They don’t give up easily, they’re also known for their patience. They continue working their way toward that goal or elusive dream one step at a time.

Optimists are healthier and live longer

Medical research has proven that simple pleasures and a positive outlook can cause a measurable increase in the body’s immune system.

So why not be an optimist today? And think positively towards a more fulfilled life.

How about looking forward to success in all your endeavors? Why not be more resilient? Like anyone else you are bound to hit lows sometimes but don’t allow yourself to stay there! Get yourself out of the rut and get back on the right track for you.

By Moira Hutchison