Perspectives on Being an Optimist

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.

Bagarisha

I wouldn’t say I’ve always been an optimist myself, but it’s something I had to learn, and I’d love to share the experience. After losing a dear friend in the summer of 2020 (which, weirdly enough, I’m experiencing loss again now as I’m writing this), my brain naturally started thinking more philosophically. I started noticing the inherent duality of existence and thought a lot about our dual nature as humans. Read more>>

Xavier Beaudet

Being optimistic has always been a natural trait of mine. But just like anyone, I’ve had my fair share of hardship and I’m not always on the green side of the grass. I’ve learned that life is a constant change, and through the eb and flow of our environment, our emotions will fluidly change.  Read more>>

Eileen Wong Cervera

I’ve been fortunate to have a naturally optimistic outlook, which I consider a fundamental part of who I am. This innate positivity helps me approach challenges with hope and resilience, both in my personal life and in my professional endeavors. It allows me to see possibilities for growth and success in difficult situations, which I believe contributes positively to my work and interactions with others. Read more>>

Kayla Steele

My optimism comes from staying positive in environment regardless of what is going with through my challenges and giving others graces of cheering them on of living life though purpose of having faith as with my success about my future and knowing what out of my control of inner work and what is my control change your mind to be more productive. Read more>>

Raffael Arlief

Remembering how far I’ve come, how many things I’ve left behind to get here, and always believing that all dreams can become true, a song from Paramore can pretty much describe it “for pessimist i’m pretty optimistic”. Yes! Optimism is the only thing I know to get what I want. Even tho is tough, I always believe that everything shall pass and I can get it! Read more>>

Prolific Wone

My optimism stems from literally coming from the lowest rungs of society and knowing that even at my highest points I could go right back to the bottom and still survive and even thrive. There’s resiliency and optimism born out of poverty, loss and hardship. Read more>>

Ashlyn Colette

Optimism takes consistent cultivation. Everything influences your mindset and your ability to have a positive outlook on life. I had to change a lot of outside influence that I was mentally ingesting. It started with the people that I was around. I was in this pattern where I thought that teasing someone was a form of Love.  Read more>>

Lindsay Ross

It’s funny because it took me a while to see that see that side of myself. Someone a few years back said, “it’s just not the same without you. You bring so much light and energy to the room.” One, I was shocked by this compliment. Read more>>

Alexander Cooper

For me personally, my optimism mostly comes from my personality traits: my resilience contributes to a generally positive outlook. Believing in the power of dreams fosters optimism. Optimism can be cultivated through intentional cognitive habits such as practicing gratitude, reframing negative situations positively, and focusing on solutions rather than problems. Read more>>

Eboni Feaster

One essential quality that has helped me maintain optimism is my ability to find inspiration in the mundane. I see beauty in the everyday objects. I make connections and associations with what I see and this mindset has allowed me to stay curious, to appreciate the small wonders, and to infuse my art with fun and positivity. Read more>>

Xiangzi Xu

The feedback I’ve received from those around me often surprises me; they say I have a knack for uplifting people and fostering positivity. It’s ironic because, truth be told, I grapple with my fair share of negativity, and I’m not afraid to vent about it. However, I refuse to let pessimism linger for too long. Read more>>

Meaghan Stephens

My optimism comes from within, fueled by my positive mindset and the belief that good things are possible. It is nurtured by my resilience, the lessons I have learned from past experiences, and the support and encouragement I receive from loved ones.  Read more>>

April Bermudez

I’d like to clarify that it’s optimism with a dash of realism. And really it’s a mindset that I try to foster on most days. If our minds have as much power as they say, then having a negative outlook is not helpful at all to having a positive life. So I try to stay positive about what’s going on. Read more>>

Braisha Owens

Looking at the glass being half full versus empty. I’m just really grater for that outlook in general. I always try to see with certain situations because I know it can always be worse. Somebody is in worse situation than you are so I’m just grateful that I am where I am. Read more>>

Elijah Lightfoot

From humble beginnings marked by financial hardship and familial struggles, my journey has been shaped by a relentless optimism rooted in the belief that there is always light to be found amidst darkness. Growing up in a family of seven, where every penny was stretched to its limit, my parents worked tirelessly, juggling multiple jobs to provide for their five children.  Read more>>

Caitlin Garvey

My optimism tends to be grounded in nature. Life is so beautiful…heartbreaking at times, but beautiful. There is a wisdom and deepness in nature that centers me and helps me to have faith. As Mary Olver writes in her poem, Evidence, “all beautiful things, inherently, have this function – to excite the viewers toward sublime thought. Glory to the world, that good teacher….Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.” Read more>>

Tierra Jones

My optimism comes from daily meditation, prayer and affirmations. Through meditation, I cultivate a sense of inner peace and clarity, allowing me to approach each day with a positive mindset. Read more>>

Robrecht Berg

For me, optimism seems to be built in. Not sure why, but I’ve always looked on the positive side of things. People tend to know me for my good natured attitude, regular smile, and positive outlook no matter what difficulties I may be facing. Read more>>

Leah Helin

The world and universe are so grand and vast its a daily reminder that problems are small in the grand scheme of life. So why not be positive? Life is too short and the world is too large to dwell on any problem too long. Read more>>

ISAAK KIMMEL

Working as a freelancer in the film industry, you’re surrounded by pessimism, and rightly so. The unpredictable hiring process, grueling hours, and unfortunately common lack of basic human decency can weigh heavily on all of us. Read more>>

Michael Howell

I think my optimism comes from the current landscape of the culture right now. I’m not sure if it’s just my skewed perspective, but everywhere I look I see art- or, at least something creative. From album covers, to graffiti murals around the neighborhood, or even the architectural designs of the buildings I see around Atlanta (not to mention all the amazing, successful artist I see on my timeline every day).  Read more>>

Shane Walsh

I consider myself lucky because my general outlook and attitude toward life is set to extreme optimism. This is essential if you’re going to be a studio artist because rejection and disappointment are such a big part of the journey.  Read more>>

Naheem Garcia

My optimism comes from believing there’s a better way. Having a strong faith in your creator, whatever or whomever that could be and counting on yourself. You have to believe in the better you. Read more>>

Chelsea Gladden

When it comes to business, I know that my team and I will give it our all. We speak with a lot of brands who have been burned by Public Relations companies in the past and I am very optimistic they will see a much different outcome working with Everything Branding! Having a strong team in place makes an optimistic outlook come easy. Read more>>

Spencer Grundler

I have spent the last 13 years working as a full-time freelance cinematographer, and to be honest it has not been an easy journey. Anyone who has walked that path knows that it comes with a mountain of uncertainty, the struggles of self-doubt, and the pitfalls of trying to accomplish our creative vision within practical constraints that the world puts in place for us. The problems all artists usually find seem to be universal; Read more>>

Hanneke Antonelli

I suffered from depression and crippling anxiety in my late teens and early adulthood, and after hitting rock bottom when my medicine malfunctioned, I was determined to do everything I could to get better.  Read more>>

Sofia Garcia

Sometimes when people go through tough times in life they can take either of two paths;you can choose to look at life in a negative way or you can reflect on those things that happened and look at it through a lense of resilience. Resilience, in the sense of overcoming those negative emotions and transmuting them into positive.  Read more>>

Nihal Amarir

Being and feeling optimistic didn’t come overnight in my life. I remember feeling joy in my heart since I was a little kid. I grew up with parents who loved, respected, and trusted each other blindly. Not only did I witness that, but I felt it too. Read more>>

Michelle Hamilton

I believe my optimism comes directly from hope. Having hope sets my mind on something much greater than myself and my general day to day optimism comes from that. We all have the power to decide how we react in any circumstance; by being mindfully aware, we can go back to thinking about what matters most to us when circumstances are hard. Read more>>

Corey Nicholas Collins

Great question, At the core of what I believe is my optimism lies the profound influence of my ecosystem and network. My family, friends, classmates, and the multitude of individuals whose relentless dedication has woven together the plethora of opportunities that have led to my success so far. Read more>>

Jules Fleming

Beginning each day with positive thoughts and gratitude sets the tone for optimism throughout the day. I firmly advocate for the practice of beginning each day with positive thoughts and gratitude within our organization.  Read more>>

Madeleine MacGillivray

Optimism is an emotion that comes up a lot in my climate work, especially in relation to doomism and skepticism. And I think optimism often gets conflated with a rose-colored glasses mentality — that those who remain optimistic are somehow ignorant or under-informed about the reality of the polycrisis. But this is not the case. Read more>>

Laney Sheffel

I work in gun violence prevention. And when people hear this, they often ask me, “How can you deal with such borrowing topics every day?” Surprising to some, I believe there are several reasons to be optimistic about gun reform in the United States, and one of the most significant factors contributing to this optimism is the rise of youth activism, like what we’re seeing in London. Read more>>

Maravilha Ndombaxi

My optimism is deeply intertwined with my faith, as exemplified in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”  Read more>>

Tony Korosak

Throughout my life prior to my amputation there have been challenges within my career, family, lifestyle and health. These challenges have taught me the important lesson that life is often how you react to the circumstances you are placed in rather than seeing them as a negative. Things happen for you not to you and because of this I see these challenges as opportunities to grow. Read more>>

Belle Bermudez-Tubel

As I was growing up, I learned early on that everything happens for a reason. I was born and raised in the Philippines and we didn’t have a lot of money. I was constantly faced with challenges growing up, my mom leaving me to work abroad so that they’d have enough money to send me to college, my aunt and uncle who were like my second parents passing, and so much more, not to mention tons of heartbreaks as I was growing up. Read more>>

My father was an amazing optimist and his outlook in the face of incredible obstacles taught me the value of optimism. My father dealt with cancer for more than 20 years, many of those extremely difficult and yet he never stopped planning for the future and investing in others. Despite being extremely limited in his physical movement he never allowed it to slow him, he pushed himself to always find a way. Read more>>