12 Things that Happy People Do Differently
#2 Cultivate Optimism
Optimistic people have the ability to manufacture their own optimism. No matter what the situation, failure is seen only, or most often, as an opportunity to grow and learn a new lesson from life. People, who think optimistically, see the world as a place packed with endless opportunities, especially in trying times. Some people are naturally born optimistic, some people become more pessimistic through negative life experiences and some people need to learn how to cultivate optimism. Either way, you can learn!
We all experience set backs in life. Next time you do, use this as an opportunity to cultivate your ability to be optimistic.
- Practice being a “benefit finder” rather than a “fault finder”. Ask yourself if there is another way to look at this situation? Practice, practice, practice is the key!
- When you have time, check this book out, “Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life” by one of my favourite Psychologists, Dr. Martin Seligman.
- If you don’t have time for the book, check out his website for loads of tips, questionnaires, resources and opportunities to participate in his Positive Psychology research: http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx
“The pessimist cultivates ‘helplessness’, hopelessness, de-motivation and unhappiness, and creates more self-fulfilling prophecies of failure” Martin Seligman
