We’re often asked if we’ve seen a pattern of success among the many thousands of entrepreneurs and creatives we’ve interviewed over the years and when we say yes, folks naturally ask what it takes to succeed and without a doubt one of the most essential ingredients for success is optimism. Cynics may often be right, but it’s only when an optimist is right that the world changes. Below, you’ll find more discussion around optimism and how to develop and foster it.
Elizabeth Decker
I have to give my mother 98% credit for my optimism. Me, I think I operated in the 2-5 % range and I worked hard to achieve that percentage: Therapy, meditation, yoga, healthy relationships, lifestyle changes…you name it, I tried it. I used to tell my mother when she rolled her eyes and said, Wizzy, you need to look at the positive side of things and I would shoot back and say something like…I do but I’m also a realist! She’d just shake her head and laugh, which would only frustrate me more. Read more>>
Jonas Saul
Doubt is a traitor. My optimism comes from a lack of doubt. I learned a few decades ago that doubt was thinly disguised fear. It masqueraded around in my head rent-free. So, I kicked it to the curb. I removed doubt from everything, and it liberated me. Will I write a book? No doubt. Will I find readers? No doubt. Could I ever get a Hollywood deal? Again, no doubt. Read more>>
Sharie Dodge
I try to remember that optimism is a choice. Not to say that one should completely ignore what could go wrong, but focusing on the negative does not improve the situation. As the Dalai Lama XIV said, “Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.” Read more>>
Micheline Shoebridge
I guess I have always been optimistic because my parents are. They have always been solution-oriented people, especially my father. I have seen them face many challenges over the years and their approach has always been to figure out what needs to be done and to put the work in to make it happen. My dad has always been the one to put his hand up when help is needed and I have seem to have followed in his footsteps. My approach is always to find solutions, never to lay blame as I find that a waste of time. Finding the source of an issue is only helpful if you are trying to avoid it in the future. Read more>>
Dr. Reji Mathew
Expressive arts are my lifelong path of healing, discovery, and integration of mind, body, spirit, and imagination. Having a neuromuscular condition and relying on a complex set of mobility/adaptive equipment presents a constant challenge to accessing my inner resilience. When I realized that my medical condition is an evolving journey, I had to accept pivoting as a way of life. Music, specifically percussion studies, is a significant source of inspiration for me. Read more>>
Parker Johnson
I just look at where I am now, and find what I can do better, because there will always be something I can be better at weather it being a better artist, marketer, or person in general. I get motivated in things that I enjoy a lot and not so much in the things I don’t like, like most people. Read more>>
Lindsey Miller
Optimism can be hard to come by in the world we live in. I have found that I must make a choice to choose to find optimism every day. Some days I give into the self-doubt, fears, depression, and anxiety, but each day is a new opportunity to find hope in our world. The best way I have found to be optimistic is to find gratitude daily in small and large aspects of life. This helps wire my brain to see more of the positive around me instead of dwelling on the negative. When I create art, I lean towards creating more of what I want to see in the world. Read more>>
Karene Putney
Maintaining a positive outlook has been a lifelong choice for me. It’s like this consistent thread of positivity running through everything, helping me navigate challenges with resilience and optimism. Read more>>
Eli Ellis
My optimism comes from so many places but most importantly it comes from the Most High God. Optimism is described as confidence of the future . I never allow myself to think so far ahead because I can’t predict the future but I also never allow my thoughts to be stagnant if that makes sense. My optimism comes from the present when you consistently give your best every day, the future is not a deep thought but a ‘when’ waiting to unfold. Read more>>
Sharmila Hall
My optimism? It’s really rooted in my background and childhood. I was incredibly fortunate to grow up in a family that always nudged me to see the glass as half full. This positive upbringing kind of wired me to be an optimist. And, you know, on days when things get a bit heavy, I turn to meditation and similar stuff to lift my spirits. For me, staying optimistic isn’t just a feel-good choice; it’s essential. It’s like, if we can picture our dreams vividly, we’re halfway to making them a reality. That’s the power of a positive mindset, and it’s something I carry with me in everything I do. Read more>>
Emily Zaiden
Being surrounded by artists who dedicate their lives to creating works of meaning, and often beauty, although that is not always the intention, it is hard not to feel like things will work out. Artists approach making often from a place of problem solving and the outcome of their effort is a physical, tangible testament to finding that solution. Art is inherently an optimistic act, it is the belief that the perfect form or message or idea can be articulated through material form. All of this is incredibly affirmative and it gives a sense of hope that life will go forward and people will continue feeling the need to put beauty into the world no matter what. Read more>>
Brianna McCurdy
My optimism comes from my understanding that anything is possible! Life has shown me over and over again that what I want want me too so I make a conscience decision everyday to only give my focus to the good things in life, to consume good things, to surround myself with good things. Read more>>
Kevin Wilkerson
My optimism comes from being able to look at things from a positive standpoint. My days are bright, not dark. My glass is half full, not half empty. The origins of this, I am not positive. I have always been that way. For one thing, I have never been one to like negativity. I shut out negative people, who can be like an anchor dragging down everyone around them. Read more>>
Santyi
No story is ever brief, unless reduced to its structural relevance for some simple digestion. In the intersectionality of mine, you meet a posing jester awaiting applause. Although I laugh maniacally at life, she is my friend. Here is how I learned to rest and be optimistic with her. Sisyphus. My first breath was in a warm Mexico, but my first exerted hyperventilation came from the ravaging violence of poverty. Mix in intergenerational trauma manifested as hallucinatory experiences, and you get closer to me. Read more>>
Terri Connelly
I believe my optimism comes from within. I know from a young age I always looked for what was good in a situation and how I could build from that. I won’t sugar coat something; I will point out what is good and why I am hopeful that it will be even better. There is the saying that hope is not a plan and I agree that hope in itself is not a plan. To be hopeful about something you have to be prepared to put in smart work, look at options, make calculated risks based on data and experiences for the best outcomes. It takes work. Read more>>
John Griggs
My optimism comes from a lot of places, with it mainly being a balance of overcoming past experiences and my faith in God. In my honest opinion I feel that as long as you’re alive there’s always a reason to be optimistic. To some that isn’t enough, but for me that’s everything. Especially when I find myself facing obstacles. A motto I stand by is “there’s always more”. Every time I thought of giving up or moving around, the exact thing I was looking for would come into fruition. Read more>>
Kyliah Baird
The power of believing in yourself to make your dreams become your reality is not an easy task, yet it is attainable. I have always thought positively and tend to see the glass half-full, yet I keep a realistic perspective. It has been instilled in me to walk by faith and not by sight. I believe that when you have a vision of what your success can look like, with discipline and perseverance you can always find yourself in a winner position. Read more>>
Audrey Paice
“There is always always always something to be grateful for” – Winston Churchill. When I started my candle business four years ago, I decided that I would embrace any experience as a good experience because of this very quote. This belief has been tested through a variety of circumstances, including store rejections, failed product launches, and empty events. Most recently, I was invited to a private function that promised significant traffic for me to be able to share my candles with a variety of new clients. I spent weeks leading up to the event preparing enough merchandise for the projected-sales, along with creating a new product specifically for the venue. Read more>>
Melanie Flint
As a woman who owns a cheese business, my optimism stems from my passion for the industry. I find joy and fulfillment in sharing the artistry of cheese and charcuterie, connecting with customers who appreciate quality products, and contributing to the culinary experiences of others. Additionally, the supportive community within the industry, as well as our neighborhood really fuels my optimism. The satisfaction of seeing my business grow and thrive contribute to a positive outlook, as well as embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. Read more>>
Ana Kim
Embracing the life of a full-time artist comes with its share of challenges and moments of solitude. Nevertheless, it also grants me the autonomy to work for myself and shape my own path. I find profound satisfaction in meticulously planning my artworks, bringing them to life, and showcasing them to the world. Devoting my work hours to draw inspiration from my daily experiences enriches both my creations and my outlook on life. Read more>>
Vanessa Garcia
When I feel like the world around me is pulling me in to many directions I often turn to the people I call my “village”. The people that provide me the most optimism are often the women in my life. Whether it’s a new friend in the neighborhood or an old friend I’ve had for years, I love building a community of strong women! Read more>>
Harper Black
I think I’ve always had it. I try to approach my life and the people and things I encounter from a positive lens. Sometimes that’s not always possible, but I always try. It helps me to have a clearer understanding of the world around me. I’m not sure I can do that without optimism. Read more>>
Luther Allison
I am optimistic because for most of my life I have been blessed to receive plenty of support and encouragement from my family. They have always invested in my interests from a young age and encouraged me to not only participate but excel at whatever I commit myself to. Their continual support encourages me and has always motivated me to believe in myself. My optimism also comes from my faith. To know that I am supported by an unfailing God gives me the strength to continue on in good spirits. Read more>>
Lisa Vodola
My optimism finds its roots in a combination of my inherent personality and the positive influences in my upbringing. I’ve always been naturally inclined towards an optimistic outlook, and I consider it a genuine blessing that shapes my perspective. Growing up, I was fortunate to be surrounded by a family that radiated positivity. My parents, particularly my mom, were incredible role models of happiness and enthusiasm. Their love and passion for each other, their family and what they did for a living (educators) created a nurturing environment that naturally instilled optimism in me. Witnessing their positive approach to life was a powerful influence, especially during my formative years. Read more>>
Sybil Cummin
I believe that my optimism comes partly from an innate part of my core self and personality. However it continues to be maintained or even grow due to the work that I do. I am a licensed professional counselor specializing in working with survivors of domestic violence and coercive control, including the youngest witnesses. On a daily basis I hear difficult and traumatic stories where I get to see the places in our system that are broken and causing our most vulnerable. Read more>>
Terry Romero Paul
The question of “Where do you get your optimism from?” is not easy to answer. I think certain traits are learned and other traits are inherent to our individual self. My earliest happy memories are spending time with my maternal grandmother who adored me and my brother. I spent countless hours with her while my mother was working. Many of those hours were spent sitting on her very plentiful lap while she read to me. Read more>>
Ashley Hathaway
I love this question because Optimism is EVERYTHING to me! I have always been a naturally positive person and I believe that trait comes directly from God. The way I look at it – I would much rather be someone that inspires people than someone to drag others down. Read more>>
Marwan Nassar
“It’s getting better all the time… because it can’t get much worse”. That is one of my favorite quotes from the Beatles. The story goes that as they were songwriting, Paul Mcartney started to sing “it’s getting better alll the time”, to which John Lennon immediately responded with the second part of the quote. I’ve always loved that story as it shows how everything really is about perspective. Read more>>
Marissa Napoletano
I havn’t always been the most optimistic person, in fact I would go so far as to say that I often disguised cynicism as realism. While having those qualities can often foster a strength and independence, it is more important now for me to be positive and share that with others. What really made a shift in perspective for me was the realization that genuine long term happiness was the most important thing I could create with my lifetime. Read more>>
VaiBionic
I was beaten and thrown out a five story window, while pregnant in Los Angeles. That’s basically it. I had one child, lost another, just woke from a coma, and had no choice but to heal, and heal properly (whatever that meant). Read more>>
Braden Erickson
My optimism comes from my belief in God and the blind confidence which that gives me. As bad as things may get, I feel lucky to be alive every day. Recognizing the beauty in everyday life, objects, and nature is essential. I truly believe that mindset goes a long way. I think that pessimists and people with a “why me” attitude attract so much of the negativity and hardship that they might receive. As high or low as I may get, I just roll with the punches and try to do the best I can. Read more>>
