A couple years ago, John Fogg sent me a book titled “Hard Optimism” for a present.  It offers some interesting insights into the topic.   And provides some scientific evidence to support many things about optimism that you make have already believed.  

For instance:  Do you believe that optimists get paid more, have better health, and live longer?  Well there is proof that all this is true.

So how are you on this?  Are you more optimistic or pessimistic? If you don’t come down on the optimistic side – heavily – here is what you should know:

Optimism creates an attitude of positive expectancy.  And that expectancy attracts an amazing array of outcomes in your life.   Optimism causes you to see opportunities where others only see impossibilities.  You see things from a hopeful viewpoint, and as a natural result of that, you find creative solutions to most challenges you face.

A pessimist facing the same challenges simply gives up on them.  Having a pessimistic view actually drains your energy for everything in life.  You develop lower confidence in yourself, and have weaker problem solving and creative thinking skills.   And your negative expectations create self-fulfilling prophecies, and repeat the cycle over and over.

So how optimistic are you?