Optimism comes from the Latin word optimus
Being an optimist or a pessimist boils down to the way you talk to yourself. Optimists believe that their own actions result in positive things happening, that they are responsible for their own happiness, and that they can expect more good things to happen in the future. Optimists don’t blame themselves when bad things happen. They view bad events as results of something outside of themselves.
Pessimists think the opposite way, however. They blame themselves for the bad things that happen in their lives and think that one mistake means more will inevitably come. Pessimists see positive events as flukes that are outside of their control—a lucky streak that probably won’t happen again.
Because of their thought processes, optimists have much brighter futures. A bad circumstance or event is taken in stride, viewed as a temporary setback—not a permanent way of life. Even if something bad happens today, a positive thinker believes that good things will come again in the future.
Optimists tend to share several other positive characteristics that increase overall happiness and promote health, while reducing depression and chronic stress:
They think about, reflect on, and emphasize the good things in life.
They are grateful and thankful for all their blessings.
They don’t complain when something bad happens.
They feel that nothing can hold them back from achieving success and reaching their goals.
They believe in abundance.
They are confident that the world offers plenty of opportunities for everyone to succeed.
Optimism is a skill of emotional intelligence, which translates to a better career and greater success in life. Life is too short to be miserable, so start turning your thinking around! The power of positive thinking can advance your prospects for work, relationships and other life experiences.
