Positive thinking and optimism quotes hold a strong position online with literally thousands of quotes from philosophers, world leaders, celebrities and gurus influencing how we start and finish our day.
Positive thinking books brimming with positive thinking techniques and inspirational quotes have been number one sellers in bookshops and online for decades. Search Amazon for positive thinking books and you will find a plethora of books to help us unleash our inner optimist, develop a more positive attitude, find our purpose, ourselves and hopefully someone else to share our optimistic future.
Are you an optimist or a pessimist?
A famous quote by Winston Churchill may hold the key to the answer. “Optimists see an opportunity in every difficulty and pessimists see a difficulty in every opportunity!”
More specifically being optimistic relates to being confident, hopeful and maintaining a favorable view about events and future outcomes – not always easy with the propensity of the media to feed us with a diet of fear and doom and gloom.
Your attitude and approach to life could be enhancing your wellbeing; success, prosperity and even longevity or it could be chipping away at your self-esteem, relationships and health.
Is having a positive attitude synonymous with being an optimist?
In very simple terms, yes however there are times when we can be positive in the moment yet not optimistic about the future. In addition being an optimist does not equate to burying your head in the sand and ignoring the events of the world around you. The all too many catastrophic events that have impacted on the lives of so many and changed the world including 9/11, tsunamis, the global financial crisis, environmental issues and most recently the devastating earthquakes in Nepal can hardly be ignored.
Regardless of these world changing events, according to Matt Ridley scientist, journalist and author of the award-winning book, The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves “that despite some of the historical catastrophic, environmental, political and financial events that have occurred human beings are apparently much better off.” According to Ridley we are healthier, happier, wealthier, more peaceful and with much greater equality on the planet that ever before.
Not surprisingly Ridley’s tome sparked lively debate and attracted both criticism and praise from numerous corners including Bill Gates.
I like to think of myself as a realistic and practical optimist summed up by one of my favorite Sufi sayings – “Trust in God and tether your camel”
Being optimistic is resourceful yet sometimes there are people and events that require us to be prepared and take cautionary action. Being prepared and taking action can still be done with an optimistic attitude it simply means that we can be rational about the circumstances that we are in, create more chance of ensuring positive and productive outcomes and strengthen our resilience.
A cheerful disposition and positive outlook on life can help to get you through those bad hair days and rough patches that we all experience from time to time. The day-to-day steps that you take to keep a positive mindset and optimistic approach to life can enhance your ability to respond to unforeseen events, rise to challenges and improve your wellbeing and quality of life.
5 tips to enhance optimism
Be mindful of negative self-talk and transform it into positive action
Here are some common examples of negative self-talk and some antidotes to help you change your thinking. Remember, the quality of the questions that you ask yourself on a regular basis influences the quality of your life.
Negative self-talk | Positive self-talk |
I can’t | What would it be like if I could? |
It’s too hard | How could I make it easier? |
I don’t know how to | What do I need to learn to know how to? |
I don’t have enough money | How could I afford to have it or do it? |
It will never work | What resources do I need to make it work? |
Can you see a new pattern emerging here? Responding with a positive question rather than reacting with a negative statement is a key to enhancing your positive thinking and optimistic outlook on life.
Reframe how you define experiences or events
- Feeling rejected? Reframe the rejection as an opportunity for a redirection.
- Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. – Dalai Lama
Do you simply accept “your lot in life” and believe that it has defined you?
- Contemplate this quote from Stephen Covey – I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.
- Look back on the experiences from your past that you perceive as being negative and consider what you have learned from them, how they have had a positive impact on your life and what you are grateful for. Gratitude is a key ingredient for optimism.
Be a realistic and practical optimist
- Be realistic, accept that life can throw a curve-ball, that we have our ups and downs, and that sometimes the glass seems to be half-empty rather than half-full.
- When “life throws you lemons” focus your attention and harness your energy on what is within your control to create positive change. Remember even when there are clouds in the sky the sun is always there.
- Color your world with orange – uplifting, rejuvenating and optimistic. Yellow too is a great mindset and mood lifter, considered to be psychologically the happiest color in the spectrum. Wear these colors or keep orange and yellow flowers in your office and home.
Set values-based goals and expect to achieve them
I like a state of continued becoming, with a goal in front and not behind. – George Bernard Shaw
- Set goals that match your values to engage your attention in a resourceful and positive way.
- Imagine yourself in the future having achieved your values-based goals.
Goals that are a match to your values will hold greater appeal and can increase your level of expectation for success.
People power
“Like attracts like” “Water finds its own level” “Misery loves company” Do any of these sound familiar?
- Surround yourself with and spend your time and energy with like-minded people who share similar values.
- Seek out the company of positive people – like laughter an upbeat attitude to life can be contagious and attract more positive energy into your life.
- Keep wise counsel and those positive family members, friends and colleagues close.
Let laughter fill your life
Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand. – Mark Twain
Laughter is the best medicine. It is a great way to enhance your brain chemistry; a good laugh releases feel good endorphins and reduces stress hormones. Laughter also increases blood flow, helps to lower high blood pressure and potentially reduce your chances of heart attack and other serious illnesses.
Do you remember the last time you had a good old belly laugh – you felt great, right? Laughter interrupts your pattern in thinking and emotion and causes you to change your physiology. Need more laughter in your life?
- Go see a funny movie – nothing like a good comedy for a feel-good boost.
- Hang out with friends who make you laugh.
- Spend more time with children who apparently laugh at least ten times more often than adults do.
Embrace the simple things in life
- Find your inner and outer “happy place” and take time out to meditate or spend time in an uplifting environment.
- Walk barefoot and feel the earth or sand beneath your feet – regular exercise promotes a positive outlook.
- Express your creativity and make a hand-made card or gift for a friend’s birthday.
- Make your own jam or nut milk or bake your own bread and share it with family and friends.
- Sit by an open fire in silence and watch the flames dance.
- Watch the sunrise, sit under the full moon and count the stars.
- Practice random acts of interpretive dance.
Are we feeling good yet?
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