“I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter.” -Walt Disney
What do highly optimistic people do differently? Have you ever asked that question before?
You may be highly enthusiastic and optimistic at times but at other times it may feel burdensome and fake to you.
You do not feel like radiating out hope and optimism because you feel like the wellspring of optimism has run dry inside of you.
Have you ever had that feeling before when you want things to work out but do not quite know how to mobilize and put into motion an attitude of optimism and enthusiasm?
Being highly optimistic is not wishful thinking. What are some of the things that highly optimistic people do differently that allows them to radiate optimism and take on opportunities without giving up at the first sign of obstacles?
Lets go:
1. Love Their Life Even If It Is Challenging
“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.”― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Highly optimistic people make it look easy to effortlessly navigate through their life with a smile on their face and they seem very good at it.
Highly optimistic people immensely like what they are doing and exude confidence and passion. This is mostly because of the fact that optimistic people chase after aspects of their life that they love.
Even when things get tough as they often do, optimistic people believe that still have a great life and choose to keep loving their life with a ferocious passion. They would not have it any other way.
Action Tips:
Love your life and aspects of your life that you find appealing.
Realize that challenges when viewed from the right perspective become adventures to overcome.
Search and add aspects and skills and hobbies that interest you.
You do not have to be optimistic all the time but finding things that you really like to do even in the face of setbacks will generate natural enthusiasm and optimism.
2. Focus On The Bright Side
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”― Dr. Seuss
There is a basic difference between the highly optimistic and those that live their life throughout the repeated lens of pessimism and negativity.
The optimistic are able to look at the positive aspect of anything that is given to them. If life gives them happy moments, they savor them.
If life hand out lessons and difficulties, they have the vision to look beyond them and learn something new.
Action Tips:
Practice looking over at the bright side for every issue and you will be amazed at what you have been missing.
Do not allow adversity and difficulties to crush your spirit.
Power up your life with positivity and optimism and remember to do that often.
3. Looking For Opportunities And Being Open To Possibilities
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” ― Winston Churchill
Beyond just looking at the bright side of things, optimists also actively seek opportunity. They are continually asking questions such as:
How can I improve this experience for myself and for others?
What new doors and discoveries will this experience open up for me?
How can I connect what I learnt in the past with what I now know and problems that I am now facing?
How can I stay open to these possibilities?
Optimists do not go down the path of shutting themselves down even before they have a chance to explore all their options and opportunities.
As such, opportunities and options open up to then in the form of synchronicities and luck.
4. Share Their Infectious Positive Spirit With Others
“You’ll never find a rainbow if you’re looking down”― Charles Chaplin
Optimists share their contagious positivity with others. Then enliven and bring some good cheer to the place by being themselves.
They brighten up others by insisting on finding the strengths and rainbows in the lives of others. They find rainbows that others may have themselves forgotten.
Action Question:
Are you brightening the life of at least one other person today?
5. Think Positively And DO Not Allow Negativity To Take Over
“There is a magnificent, beautiful, wonderful painting in front of you! It is intricate, detailed, a painstaking labor of devotion and love! The colors are like no other, they swim and leap, they trickle and embellish! And yet you choose to fixate your eyes on the small fly which has landed on it! Why do you do such a thing?” ― C. JoyBell C
Optimists live overwhelmingly from a viewpoint of optimism and positivity. They are unabashedly positive and upbeat.
This is not the “appearing positive” behavior but a genuine warmth and positive focus of thoughts, feelings and actions.
Optimists have learnt from their own life that negativity and pessimism seldom get anything meaningful accomplished. Instead, negativity just puts you down when you need the most support.
Optimistic people have the same negative thoughts as others but them make it a habit to not actively pursue them or feed them.
6. Know That Optimism feels a lot better than Pessimism
“Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.”― His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
This may just be the most compelling reasons for pursuing optimism. Just as His Holiness, the Dalai Lama put it so wisely and concisely that optimism just feels a lot better.
Optimists know that feeling great is a very integral part of success and living a fulfilling life of flourishing and happiness. Optimists have a higher set point of feeling positive emotions without panicking and one of the ways they achieve this is through optimism.
7. Learn To Appreciate What They Have
“The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.” ―Ralph Waldo Emerson
No amount of stuff and success will fulfill a person if they do not learn how to enjoy what they already have. Unfortunately, society extols more material possession as a sign and an indicator of a fulfilled life.
This hedonistic treadmill has left many people sacrificing themselves, their relationships and the joy of the current moment for something that is out there.
Optimists intuitively understand the irony of the hedonistic model and instead choose to appreciate what they have instead of what they do not and will receive in the future.
This makes them more content and happy and ironically in a position to receive more things with less effort.
Optimists usually never connect what they have with who they are and choose to think highly of themselves.
8. Prepare Themselves For Any Outcome
“There’s no harm in hoping for the best as long as you’re prepared for the worst.”― Stephen King, Different Seasons
Highly Optimistic people are often the ones who are most prepared for any eventuality. This is because they have confronted different scenarios in their minds and have already taken action to prepare themselves for the worst-case scenario.
Their optimism does not blind sight them into thinking “it does not matter” or to remain in analysis paralysis about important things.
They can take more concrete action because they refuse to be excessively burdened and weighed down by opinions and negative thoughts.
9. Have A Sunny Disposition That Cannot Be Easily Perturbed
“Where ever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine .”- Anthony J. D’Angelo
Optimists generate their own microclimate around them. They know for a fact that if they wait for sunshine from others, they may seldom find it.
Optimists know that they have a choice of knowing whether to stay firmly rooted in their disposition or be carried away by the moods and emotions of other people.
They have allowed themselves to be carried away in the past with unfavorable results and choose to create their own weather.
10. Believe In Themself
“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”― Arundhati Roy
Highly optimistic people have the common habit of believing in themselves. As everyone else, they are not free of doubts and fears but do not allow them to define their life.
At a very deep visceral level, optimistic people know that trusting their own judgments and bolstering their self-belief is a more fulfilling way to live their lives.
They develop rituals, practices and habits that increase their self-belief instead of diminishing it.
11. Complain Less And Take More Action To Fix Things
“I had no shoes and complained, until I met a man who had no feet.”- Indian Proverb
How many highly optimistic people have you seen who incessantly complain and take little or no action to correct their path?
It is amazing to observe that highly optimistic people do not waste their valuable time and energy in habitual complaining and inaction. Instead, they find ways to make the best of every situation and adversity that they confront.
The truth is that incessant complaining is a time waster and accomplishes nothing and leaves you feeling a lot worse that you were before.
It is very difficult to take meaningful action and engage a problem when all our attention lies directed in finding fault.
12. Attitude vs. Circumstance
“A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.” ― Hugh Downs
Optimistic people have learnt that they are powerless to change the ever-changing landscape of circumstances. They also realize that they have dominion over their attitudes.
They truly understand that our attitudes are a great indicator of our altitude.
They do not allow circumstances to shape their life by reacting to them. Instead they take the same circumstances that are available to everyone and shape them and reframe them by their attitude.
An attitude of optimism, positivity and creative positive expectation as the Rev. Norman Vincent Peale would put it is a very powerful and effective force to move ahead in uncertain circumstances.
13. Keep Destructive Criticism And Blaming To A Minimum
“The pleasure of criticism deprives us of that of being deeply moved by beautiful things.”-Jean de La Bruyére
Optimistic people make it their job to connect with people and attempt to bring out the best in them. They understand that criticism and blame that cannot be digested and is delivered in a harsh manner is usually counter productive.
Criticism and blame shuts down others and makes you feel really bad. Usually a gentler and more palatable approach works much better.
Optimistic people see the same faults and cracks in others and in situations but have a higher tolerance for imperfection like the Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi. In Wabi Sabi, an object such as a piece of pottery is placed on a pedestal and any cracks in it are highlighted by shining a light in it.
Embracing imperfection allows optimists to focus on constructive suggestions instead of getting submerged in a sea of blame and criticism.
14. Take Radical Self-Care of themselves By Exercising And Eating Right And Self Time
“Nourishing yourself in a way that helps you blossom in the direction you want to go is attainable, and you are worth the effort.” -Deborah Day
Highly optimistic people understand that taking care of themselves is a big first step in enhancing their happiness and levels of optimism.
They make sure that their emotional, mental and physical accounts are kept well topped off and invested in and not running on empty.
Often, people who are resentful and negative do not know how to take radical self-care and have depleted their mental and emotional accounts.
15. Say “No” More Often Without Appearing Disrespectful
“Half of the troubles of this life can be traced to saying yes too quickly and not saying no soon enough.” -Josh Billings
Highly optimistic people can say no without disrespecting the other person and without undermining the situation.
Being highly optimistic does not mean saying yes to everything, In contrary, deep optimism allows you to focus on what is important while saying no in an amicable manner.
People who do not have the very important skill of saying “no” take on more than they can bite on their plate and end up stressed and more worried. They inadvertently plunge themselves into crisis after crisis because they avoid saying no at all costs.
16. Say A Big Yes To Their Interests And Skills And Passions
“No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit.” Helen Keller
Highly optimistic people have a contagious enthusiasm around what they do and their dreams and passions. They lead by action and by example and it difficult not to feel their passion for what they love when you are around them.
Optimistic people have realized that the best way to move forward is to find and pursue things that excite them and make them feel great.
17. Have A Favorable Self-image Of Themselves And Their Value They Provide
“Self-worth comes from one thing—thinking that you are worthy.” — Wayne Dyer
Highly optimistic people develop a favorable self-image of themselves that they present to the world. They have a keen sense and understanding of the value that that provide and do not shortchange themselves.
Optimistic people are less inclined to sell themselves short and not ask for the amount of value they provide because they refuse to have a negative conversation with themselves that diminishes their value.
They can charge more, ask for more and ever receive more because they do not devalue themselves even before they put it out in the world.
Pessimistic thinking does not allow for much room for increase of value because it shuts down the possibility even before it can ever become a reality. The battle is fought and lost in the mind and the thoughts and never makes it out in the world.
18. Understand What Uplifts Them And What Brings Them Down
“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” – Nietzsche
Optimistic people make it their business to understand what makes them tick and what sustains them. They are also wary of energy vampires and other energy and opportunity diminishing situations and steer clear of them.
They understand that a powerful and genuine sense of optimism cuts through even the greatest resistance and sends energy diminishing people packing and leaving as quickly as they approach.
They wholeheartedly embrace what uplifts them and make it their job to connect with those aspects of their life.
19. Do Not Take Setbacks, Failure And Difficult People Too Personally
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” – Milton Berle
One of the biggest differences between highly optimistic and pessimistic people is how they react and respond to the setbacks in life.
If you have ever wondered why some people are highly successful while others only yearn the success they see in others, then look no further.
Setbacks are inevitable but optimists refuse to get crushed by them and find the strength and engagement to keep at the problem long enough to solve it and see it to completion.
Pessimists also try to do their best but they are ill equipped to deal with the emotional and mental ups and downs of setbacks and often simply quit.
Simple statistics pits the odds of success heavily in favor of people who do not quit easily and persist. Optimists also do not take feedback personally and are able to make a change when it is required to stay the course.
20. Give Themselves Small Rewards And Savor The Little Victories
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” -Helen Keller
Highly optimistic people enjoy and savor the little victories. They understand that the journey is more important than the destination.
They understand that there may be no huge pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and decide to look for the little nuggets along the way.
21. Do Not Engage In Comparisons That Are Setup To Fail
“Things are as they are. Looking out into the universe at night, we make no comparisons between right and wrong stars, nor between well and badly arranged constellations.” – Alan Watts
Optimistic people are continually trying to improve themselves and transform into a better version of them.
Optimistic people have taken the lesson to heart that unfavorable comparisons are a setup for failure and feeling bad.
22. Focus On Solutions And Action And Not On The Worst-case Scenario
“One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself. ” -Lucille Ball
Highly optimistic people focus on what they can do to engage the problem and make things better instead of focusing on the worst-case scenario.
Optimists do not shut off their attention to the worst-case scenarios but do not dwell in only when can go wrong. Instead, they allow themselves the flexibility to grow in their problems and their mindset of growth makes all the difference.
23. Embrace Their Authentic Story
“Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.” ― Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection
Highly optimistic people embrace their authentic stories and sing their own songs. They value their opinions and their work enough to run with what is important to them.
A feeling of optimism and hope make it possible for them to be authentically themselves and come from a place of deep understanding of the self. They resonate with the idea that their story is important and have the positive mental framework to effectively tell it and live it.
Pessimists also live out their stories but that always seem less convincing because they doubt their own life and their own stories.
24. Expect The Best But Do Not Get Unhooked By Unrealistic Expectations
“The optimist lives on the peninsula of infinite possibilities; the pessimist is stranded on the island of perpetual indecision.” -William Arthur Ward
Highly optimistic people expect the best out of their life and keep their doors open to possibilities but refuse to let so much air in that their own ideas get diluted.
They do not place themselves in impossible frameworks and unrealistic expectations because they know that pessimism and negativity cloud the judgment and make people feel guilty and overreach at times.
Chronically pessimistic people have negative expectations of them and feel guilty of their inaction and attempt to overreach by setting expectations that are bound to fail. For pessimists, having unrealistic expectations and failing is another way to remind themselves that they are not “good enough.”
25. DO not feel isolated and alone and connect with others
“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.” ― John Lennon
Optimists understand that cannot do it all alone and connect with others to receive feedback and circulate ideas.
Chronic pessimists are guarded about their ideas and do not usually trust themselves enough to connect continually with other people. Optimists do not feel isolated, and instead they make bridges that allow them to thrive in their relationships.
26. Realize That Excessive Stress And Worry Do Not Accomplish Much
“A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety.”- Aesop’s Fables
This is a big one. Highly optimistic people have the same set of worries but understand that engaging in that worry and stress does not accomplish anything.
Instead they make action and having fun their mantra. They develop techniques and rituals that work for them to release the excessive stress and worry.
27. Let Go Of Resentments And Forgive Others For Their Own Sanity And Sake
“Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” – Carrie Fisher
Highly optimistic people do not allow themselves to be resentful and forgive others to maintain their own sanity and their own peace of mind.
Highly optimistic people realize that holding resentments erodes their self-confidence and their optimism from the inside out and realize that letting go is not the same as condoning someone’s poor behavior. They let go for their own sake and not for the other’s sake.
28. Get Genuinely Excited By The Successes And Hopes And Aspirations Of Others
This is a hallmark of optimistic people that endears them to everyone. They are highly interested and enthusiastic about the welfare and success of others. They have a genuine interest and feel much happiness when they see success in others.
This ability to spot and celebrate success in others opens the doors of success in their own life and primes the mind to accept their own success.
Pessimistic and negative people cannot celebrate in the victories of others and feel little joy when they accomplish things in their life. This diminished the intrinsic motivation that is required for staying the course towards lasting success.
29. Smile Easily And Have Optimistic Body Language
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” ― Thích Nhất Hạnh
Highly optimistic people quickly break out into a smile and make it a habit to feel the endorphin rush they one receives from smiling, laughing and feeling great.
They understand that body language such as slumped shoulders, crossed arms and a poor posture leads into feelings of negativity, pessimism and not feeling great.
They assume power poses naturally and easily. They also understand that “fake it till you make it” actually works in body language by sending the signals of empowerment and making them feel a whole lot better.
30. Allow Themselves To Have Their Pessimistic Moments
Highly optimistic people feel their negativity and their down moments without judgment, blame, criticism and guilt and are able to bounce back from them a lot more easily.
They do not dwell in their negative moments and do not make the mistake of personalizing them to their own life. They feel their negative emotions by not resisting them and choose to move on and pick up the optimism and empowering emotions right back.
31. Are Decisive And Do Not Get Bogged Down By Excessive Self-Doubt
“It is better to be boldly decisive and risk being wrong than to agonize at length and be right too late.” – Marilyn Moats Kennedy
Highly optimistic people do not allow themselves to stay in the negative state of analysis-paralysis and are usually highly decisive.
Making relatively quick decision and following through gives them a huge edge over people who refuse to take quick action.
Optimists have the same self-doubts as pessimistic and negative people but do not assume those doubts to be as true for their unique life situation.
Optimism allows them to test things out for themselves and find out if something works for them or needs to be released.
Now over to you! Please let me know in the comments below if this post resonated with you. Which idea is your favorite one and why? How do you deal with negativity in your life?
If you enjoyed reading this post, please consider sharing it and signing up for free-updates below!
Comments