Traits Of Irresistible People (TIP) # 14: Be Optimistic

Life is all about perspective, what you see is what you get. It is possible for two people to observe the same situation and have two different versions of what conspired. In essence, you can choose to see the glass as half full or as half empty. What you make of your life is a matter of choice not coincidence so choose to be optimistic in every situation.

Having a positive disposition can influence more than just your mood. "People who are optimistic are more committed to their goals, are more successful in achieving their goals, are more satisfied with their lives, and have better mental and physical health when compared to more pessimistic people," says Suzanne Segerstrom, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky. 

Expecting good things can make you healthier and might even lengthen your life, adds Suzanne. Optimists constantly search for new solutions to old problems, thanks to their glass-half-full mentality. And since optimists tend to stick around to solve problems long after pessimists have thrown in the towel, in the long run they tend to be more successful: at work, in relationships, you name it. 

It is important to be a balanced optimist, using common sense, not just telling yourself that nothing bad can ever happen and closing your eyes to reality. Doing so, can lead to being impractical, making poor decisions, and letting people ridicule or take advantage of you.

A balanced optimist looks at reality, acknowledge the difficulties and obstacles, but is not discouraged by them. A balanced optimist can see the good and the bad, but at the same time, expects success, and puts forth effort to make things turn out well.

Being optimistic doesn't mean waiting for things to happen by themselves. It means expecting the best, believing that the best will happen, but at the same time making decisions, following them, acting and making things happen. Optimism will keep you motivated and energetic, pursuing what you want with ambition, confidence and happiness. It helps you focus on your vision, and makes everyday a happy day.

Happiness can fluctuate a lot, but an optimistic disposition is usually pretty stable. Good things happen to everyone, but pessimists often don’t take notice; spending a few minutes every day writing about at least three positive things may help you expect them more often. Or instead of trying to be optimistic, do what optimists do: Work hard to reach your goals. Each accomplishment should make it easier to be hopeful about the next one.

"An optimist sees an opportunity in every calamity; a pessimist sees a calamity in every opportunity."
- Winston Churchill

"One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself."
- Lucille Ball