April 17, 2024
Everyone falls somewhere on the sliding scale between pessimism and optimism. There are advantages to each, but on average, being optimistic is a far better option. Optimism has so many benefits and can enhance your life in numerous ways.
Even if you consider yourself to not be an extremely optimistic person, that is probably not the case. Perhaps, you are actually seeing past an optimistic perspective. After all, pessimism is a neurologically easier state for our brains to be in since it once was key to our survival (we do not want to be eaten by that saber tooth tiger!)
In today’s world where survival does not have the same meaning it once did, a pessimistic, negative, or fearful lens does not serve us as well. The beauty of being human is that we can change how we look at the world in a way that can benefit our well-being, and the well-being of those around us. And with practice, you can change your perspective!
The benefits of being optimistic
Not convinced yet? Here are a few tangible benefits of having an optimistic mindset:
- Solution-oriented approach: Optimistic people are more focused on solutions than challenges because they believe a solution exists and that they can find it. Pessimistic people, on the other hand, tend to believe there is no hope, so they do not try to find a way out of their predicament.
- Stronger relationships: Generally, it is easier to get along with people and to be a good friend and partner if you are optimistic. Just ask yourself this: Would you rather associate with a negative or positive person?
- Increased confidence: It is difficult to be a pessimistic person and still possess self-confidence. For instance, when you have high expectations, you are confident in yourself and your abilities; you believe you will be successful. It is difficult to achieve that mindset if you are too pessimistic.
How to cultivate an optimistic mindset
A few simple exercises can help you start training your brain to become more optimistic.
- Start with Gratitude: When we are thankful for what we have, there is little room to think about what we do not have.
Try this:
- Look around you: Name five things you are grateful for.
- Ask yourself: How did someone help me today? (Hint: It can be as simple as a stranger returning a hello or a smile).
Practice these exercises daily and write your answers down in a notebook. Refer to your notes when you are feeling less optimistic.
- Acknowledge your wins: However small, acknowledge and celebrate your wins every day. This can include getting out of bed, helping someone, or going to the gym. Try listing three to five things you did today that you consider a win. (Remember to write them down!)
- See mistakes as opportunities for growth: This can be challenging as our feelings of disappointment can sometimes paralyze us from acting. Acknowledge your feelings and ask yourself: What can I learn from this? How can I change my approach to ensure a better outcome next time? Reflect on your answers, journal, and take action (even if imperfect).
Creating an optimistic mindset allows you to have the confidence that no matter what is happening, you will always be able to find a way through it.
Your goal should not be to achieve a state of perfectionism. We all have bad days. As Alison Ledgerwood, a psychology professor at the University of California, explains, people’s minds are naturally built to look for negative information and can easily get stuck in that mindset. This is what it is like to be human.
The key is to recognize when you are having pessimistic thoughts and how it is making you feel both physically and mentally. Are you stressed, anxious, or angry? How well are these thoughts serving you right now? Likely, not very well.
Before you start to push yourself to start thinking differently, take some time to calm your energy and become present in the current moment. In a state of calmness, you can begin to evaluate your thinking patterns from a different perspective. McLean Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in Massachusetts, calls these steps PAUSE and NOTICE.
According to McLean Hospital, it is also helpful to label your thoughts as what they are: thoughts not “literal truths.” Doing this in turn, can you pick a new intention and choose how you want to proceed. This process should not suggest that you will no longer have any pessimistic thoughts—you are after all human.
“You might notice your critical mind chattering away at you, but it will no longer take up central importance it once did and leave you free to choose what direction to take in your life,”
McLean Hospital states.
Slowly but surely, you can train your brain to manage pessimistic thoughts and think more optimistically by default.
Need more guidance on how to get started? Book a Call with us and we’ll be happy to chat.
Feature image by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels.
Back to Our Blog