Philosophers, coaches, teachers, preachers and consultants
have wondered about that since the dawn of time.
Fortunately, I think I have the answer!
I'm not claiming to have discovered it by myself. I'm not
sure I can even claim to fully understand how it works. But,
I do know what it is: Attitude!
Remember the old saw that "Your attitude determines your
altitude?" I'm convinced it's true.
I was reminded of it this week when I spent several hours
driving to some appointments. I ended up scanning radio
stations, listening to unhappy people of various
descriptions. Unemployment claims were up this week. The
government is spending too much, taxing too much, and
generally doing lots of things people do not like, while
failing to do things they would very much prefer. Even the
weather was too hot, except where it was too rainy.
Bottom line: There's a lot of unhappiness on the radio!
Clearly, this is a troubled world and there are lots of
problems out there. We can't deny that. But it's also true
that, "what we focus on, expands." And, "we become what we
think about most of the time."
For most people, optimism is in rather short supply. We are
in a recession, and recessions are bad. We are concerned
about world peace, terrorism, climate change, unemployment,
and buying all the stuff our kids need for school. On a
personal note, during that trip I learned my truck needs a
new "serpentine belt" that will cost over $300! (Some of us
remember when fan belts were $4.99 and you changed them
yourself on Saturday afternoon.) There's a world of trouble
out there!
The good news--and it is truly Good News--is that there has
never been more good news all around us. Most of us are
healthy and are likely to stay that way. We can communicate
with anyone, any place in the world, usually for free! We
can read great books, listen to audio programs, or interview
the most talented, successful people who ever lived! We have
more "stuff' and access to more wealth than any people in
history!
Even in tough times, we are rich beyond measure! And yet the
news is almost uniformly bad, bloody and painful. We worry
all day long--at least some of us do. People are angry,
discouraged, and actively practicing their "victim" approach
to life. How sad is that??
High achievers refuse to live with negativity! Winners have
always looked for the good, emphasized hope, and found
opportunity where others see only problems.
Successful people reason that if money is tight, folks are
looking for bargains. Many of today's richest families got
that way because a couple generations ago, Grandpa (or
Grandma) made some very smart moves in the midst of the
Depression. Winners note that if there is less money, there
might be more time as a family. What if the family went on
more hikes, picnics or visited more art galleries this fall?
Optimism comes naturally and easily to only a few. Perhaps
they are "lucky" or simply wired differently, I don't know.
But for the majority of people, optimism is a learned skill,
a chosen approach to life. It's a conscious decision to see
"the glass half-full." It's a habit of "whistling while you
work" and giving cheerful compliments to everyone you meet.
It's something to be practiced (fake it if you have to),
until it becomes automatic.
There are lots of good reasons to be pessimistic, but what's
the point? Even if it is more "realistic," does it give you
any advantages? I prefer optimism. Even foolish,
unrealistic, exaggerated optimism. If I'm wrong, I may be
briefly disappointed but I figure my "incurable optimism"
will give me the momentum to keep on going, no matter what.
Optimism, trying stuff, doing stuff, learning stuff,
constantly moving forward is the most fundamental, critical
trait of life's happiest, most successful people. I highly
recommend it.
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