Optimism is the invisible ingredient that powers so much of the incredible progress in society – from entrepreneurs and investors to artists and creatives who believe in something and are optimistic enough to risk their time, money, and reputation. We asked some of the most optimistic folks we know where they think they get their optimism form.
Monica Aben
Throughout my life, I’ve had the most beautiful experiences occur after tumultuous times or what seemed like failures. That cycle has taught me that anything that doesn’t work out, is simply protection. When you shift your mindset to see all the “failures” and “dead ends” as protection or redirections, it really allows you to GROW from those moments instead of wallow. It doesn’t meant it doesn’t hurt–but it allows you to see the clear path no matter how chaotic it gets. Read more>>
Peewee Dread
Dred I Dread started in 1998. We became the best reggae band on the scene. This was a great time for the band and creating a sense f success. I learned to be optimistic before all of this started. In 1992, I migrated north for college. I was on the stage on day one. I knew what I wanted, but how was I to get there. Read more>>
Alexandra Reid
When I was young and just learning big words in school, I asked my mum if I was an “optimist” or a “pessimist.” She said I was neither; she called me a “realist.” Later, when I had my first corporate job, my boss told me that failure wasn’t about things going wrong, but about not having a plan. He said it was fine to change the plan if it wasn’t working, but not having a plan at all was the real failure. Read more>>
Brooke Lynn
My optimism comes from my upbringing. Our family had challenges just like every family does – but the lesson I learned was straight from my mom – who always saw a glimmer of light in everything no matter how dark and murky something might seem. Read more>>
Brooke (Modderman) Schuba
I like to think that I am a ‘cup half full’ kind of person, and I believe that the people around me would say the same. From a young age I have been taught, and have learned through experience, that you and your time here on earth become what you put your focus on. In regard to yourself, it is a proven fact that you inherit characteristics from the 5 people closest to you in life. In the same aspect, you tend to become and feel what you are putting your focus on. I choose to focus on the positives and “brighter side” of life. There are too many things in this world that try to drag us down, and have us live in this dark state of mind containing uncertainty and hardship. Enjoying the little things, and small moments, is my way of staying optimistic and focusing on the potential positive outcomes. This mindset has greatly influenced my business and has taken it to unexpected levels. By focusing on the positives when starting a business, you are able to look past some of the initial hurdles that come about when starting something in a new territory, and get past the stages that cause most people to quit. Read more>>
Nam Ram
Gratitude. I used to be a very negative person, always thought about how something can go wrong in 100 different ways.
When I started my business, I didn’t have a choice but to be positive.
I could not scale or proceed thinking of why would someone not like my product, that they would return everything that I have sold, and it would come back and I would sit in a pile of unsold stuff.
But then I remembered my first sale. Why did that stranger trust me. That first order, came from a stranger from 1000kms away. Read more>>
Joe Charley
My optimism comes from a combination of personal experiences and the incredible support of my Angels, both on earth and above. Throughout my journey as an artist and advocate, I’ve faced challenges that could have easily dampened my spirit. However, every setback was met with overwhelming belief, encouragement, and support from those around me. From a young age, I’ve been surrounded by a community that instilled in me the importance of hope and resilience. My family, friends, and supporters have been pillars of strength, reminding me of the power of positivity, especially in the face of adversity. So, if I can make a difference for just one person, that gives me hope. Read more>>
Harrison Kayne
I am stubbornly optimistic in all aspects of my life. I like to believe there is good in the world, and I want to be the type of person who can contribute to that goodness. I love writing stories where good triumphs over adversity, particularly on a small scale. Perhaps my characters aren’t fighting great evil, but they’re always fighting to find peace and happiness for themselves. Read more>>
Margo Temkin
I’ve been with my husband for over 20 years, having met him in 2003 as a senior in high school. Since then, his career in sports radio has taken us from our college town to four different cities in a span of 14 years. Every move felt like a catastrophe in many ways, yet we have a 100% track record of finding success, happiness and growth in each city we’ve lived. Read more>>
Reesy Neff
As I ponder this question, I wonder a little if I was just born with it. And then I think no, not born with it. While I believe we are born with certain personality characteristics, I do not believe optimism to be one of those. At least not for me. For me, I believe my answer could be a bit surprising for some as I don’t believe it’s what most would expect. I would say my optimism has come from a mixture of things. Going through challenging events in my life, enduring things that were hard, sometimes it was a choice or necessity and quite often it was being a survivor. I am quite sure most people would not associate my answer to the word optimism. Read more>>
Reesy Neff
As I ponder this question, I wonder a little if I was just born with it. And then I think no, not born with it. While I believe we are born with certain personality characteristics, I do not believe optimism to be one of those. At least not for me. For me, I believe my answer could be a bit surprising for some as I don’t believe it’s what most would expect. I would say my optimism has come from a mixture of things. Going through challenging events in my life, enduring things that were hard, sometimes it was a choice or necessity and quite often it was being a survivor. I am quite sure most people would not associate my answer to the word optimism. Read more>>
Andrew Hall
Optimism is a muscle that can be grown and developed! For me, there are two big pieces / keys: 1) Foundation in gratitude and stoiciscm. I studied the principles of “The Original Position” by John Rawls, and the reminders from family and friends that we’re just so lucky to be living in the time and place that we are and surrounded by support and tools we need for success. The original position explores the fact that if we were removed from our world and given the chance to change how the rules worked, we’d make the world very different if we knew that we could be born back into any place, time, and body. To know that you might not have the same fortune you were born into, you would design a much more equitable world to make sure you’d still have a chance at a happy life when you returned. With all this in mind, I know that I got such a beneficial and fortunate head start. Read more>>
Kylee Joy
My optimism was born with me, literally: Joy? It’s my middle name! I’ve learned since I was very young that meddling in negative thoughts and reactions did make me feel better for a minute, but didn’t ever give me the progress I wanted to see so badly. There was a big spirit inside of my soul that wanted to break free, and as I grow, that spirit grows with me. So, where does my optimism come from? That same frustrated little girl who couldn’t capture a photo of the hummingbird outside of my window just right. That same girl who knew that she wanted to do big things but didn’t know where to start. The same girl who was told to get a real job instead of pursuing her passion. My optimism comes with the new challenges in owning my own business daily, and the strong community of likeminded entrepreneurs that surround me. I couldn’t be more grateful for the people that chose to uplift me in their own optimism. Read more>>
Steven Martin
From 2005 through 2007 I found myself homeless. Those were the toughest years of my life. It was then that I found God. Knowing that I couldn’t of have persevered by myself reminds me my walk isn’t alone. I strongly believe he laid the foundation and path of which I stand on today. No matter what lies ahead, I’m optimistic because I know like he made a way for me then he still works now. Read more>>
Minh Truong
If you heard my childhood story, you might find it hard to believe that I could be so optimistic today. My mother abandoned my father and me when I was an infant. I grew up in an abusive home, which made school challenging for me. This continued until my sophomore year of high school. During those years, I had supportive friends who cared for me, but I often preferred solitude, finding refuge in my art class and immersing myself in drawing. I endured a lot of trauma, but by my senior year of high school, I resolved not to let abuse define me. I rarely share my story because I don’t want pity; I didn’t want my trauma to define me or for people to see someone broken and in distress. Instead, I wanted them to see a person who lights up a room with her smile, someone who is a go-getter and excels at everything she puts her heart into. Read more>>
Aly Isaeff
Optimism is a weird thing- it can come and go depending on your circumstances. Sometimes it takes a long time and lots of therapy to get to that point, at least in my case. In a lot of ways, I’ve had a lot of positive things happen in my life, but sometimes that can get overshadowed by the bad things that have happened to me. I’ve struggled for a long time with my health- I was diagnosed with Asthma in my first few years of life, Chronic Migraines and Type 1 Diabetes when I was 10 years old, Depression/Anxiety/OCD at 12 years old, Psoriasis at 18 years old, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome at 26, and currently I’ve been struggling with a reactivation of Epstein-Barr Virus. It’s been a lot to say the least. However, in spite of it all, I’ve learned to accept these things that have happened to me and live life on my own terms (thanks again to therapy). Read more>>
Mashallah Ghouleh
My optimism is rooted in my belief that anything is possible, and I lead with that ideal. Usually, when I share ideas with people, they often aren’t able to see past society’s constraints. However, I approach what people see as impossible from a creative lens and draw on all of my skills and network to make my dreams a reality. Read more>>
Morgan McKenzie Cornell
My optimism comes from within. There is an unshakable sense of faith within my core-being that things are always working out for me, no matter what– so long as I keep the vision of my desires at the forefront of my mind and the passion behind those desires in my heart. Optimism gives me the power to choose to focus on favorable outcomes instead of perceived roadblocks in my way. I imagine myself achieving my goals vividly. I feel the excitement and fulfillment rush through my body as if my achievements are occurring in that very moment! Passion sets me ablaze on my various paths and I allow the journey to lead me to victory. I’ve witnessed optimism beautifully expressed in my life through dance, multi-media, and life itself. Read more>>
Paul Bastian
If I’m an optimist, it’s because I consider myself an especially lucky person. There have been far too many instances in my life where The Universe has given me a good hand to play. I’ve been fortunate enough to be surrounded by a fantastic and loving wife, the most incredible friends anyone could ask for, and some truly wonderful colleagues. I’m not sure what I’ve done in this life to earn these blessings – or what I have yet to do with my life in order to earn them – but I’m grateful for every day that I get to live and breathe, and I’m intent on becoming the best human that I can be. Of course, there are moments when I feel defeated, or depressed, or frustrated, but then I remember that, somehow, things always seem to work out. Some would say that one creates one’s own luck. Read more>>
Chrissy Ly Peedu
In quantum physics there’s a thing called the Law of Attraction which basically means that you attract what you think. I personally believe in that law heavily but mostly because the power of thought makes me act upon those thoughts. Already from a young age, I learned that tears, sadness and doubt will not get me anything in life. They will not heal a bleeding cut nor land a backflip. They will just make me feel unnecessarily worse, whereas being optimistic is the bright light that guides me through the tough times. Taking the first example – a bleeding cut will always stop eventually and heal. Therefore life is like a bleeding cut, every bad thing comes to an end at some point so being negative and looking for roadblocks in the way isn’t going to solve my issues, instead it’s going to prolong them. However keeping my head up while doing everything in my power for my goal is going to end up well. For example, I had always dreamed of moving to America and towards my last years of high school in Estonia, I was even searching for American colleges & universities. Read more>>
Tod Meisner
My optimism has isn’t derived from a single source, but I have learned how to channel it through various tools/resources over the years. I’ve always tried to be a friendly and optimistic person. I was raised by parents who always taught us how to deal with the ups and downs in life and to be thankful for all that you have. But as you grow to be an adult and raise your own family, that can sometimes be tough. In my mid 30s after I had gone through some challenging moments in life, I took a leadership course based on the book “The 100x Leader” and it radically changed my life. It unlocked in me self-awareness that I wasn’t aware I was capable of harnessing. That self-awareness has allowed me to lead and grow in a way that’s bult on confidence and optimism. Read more>>
Uyanga Enkhsaikhan
In my my early 20s, I faced a period where everything seemed to be falling apart. Challenges and heartbreaks were piling up, and I felt overwhelmed by it all. One night, feeling lost and in tears, I decided to walk to the shore. It was a long walk, about an hour, but I wasn’t thinking rationally—I just needed to be somewhere that made sense to me When I finally reached the beach, it was the middle of the night. I sat down on the cool sand, my face still wet with tears, and looked out at the vast, dark ocean. The sky above was dotted with stars, their light shimmering on the water’s surface. Sitting there, I felt a profound sense of connection to something greater than my problems. The ocean, vast and endless, seemed to whisper that my struggles, no matter how overwhelming, were just a small part of a much larger picture. The sound of the waves was soothing, reminding me that life, like the ocean, has its highs and lows. Every wave that crashed and retreated was a reminder that challenges come and go, but life continues. Read more>>
Kellie Falbo
My optimism is rooted in my belief in the power of collective action, innovation, and resilience to create a more sustainable future for generations to come. Read more>>
Flyn Costello
Optimism is a key part of our partnership, Dan is an eternal optimist and continues to reinforce my belief in the work and our mission. We have also use the mantra “why not us!” a philosophy that promotes the self belief that you are capable of doing anything and there is no reason you can’t do it. Read more>>
MaeThePirate
I’d like to cite one of my favorite youtubers for a quote, “Life is short but also like terribly and insufferably long at the same time.” – Jenna Marbles. This quote speaks volumes to my generation, but also, I think about this quote a lot when I need a little pick me up! Life is short, and though it can feel very insufferably long, we have to remember that we don’t have forever, and I am extremely grateful for all the time I do have here. I admire Jenna Marbles authenticity and how true she was and is to herself and I aspire to be more like her every day. Read more>>
Flare (Harry Nicholls)
In my early life I often found myself in positions that left little room for negativity. As these positions started to become more and more recurring, the difficult choices that I was forced to make at such an early age left me with nothing but hope as at the time it was all that my soul could afford. That’s where one of my greatest qualities was born. Ever since those days, I’ve been blessed with optimism that when trials and tribulations lead me against overwhelming odds, I have no doubt in my mind that regardless the outcome, I will turn out exactly as the universe intends. Read more>>
Jocelyn Krodman
I obviously have days where my optimism is stronger than my pessimism and vice versa, but I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how stepping out and attempting to make a career out of your creations is in itself a very optimistic act. Beyond that, continuing to pursue that career year after year, despite challenges and setbacks requires an enormous amount of optimism. It’s difficult to say where that aspect of my personality originated, but I do think it helps keep me afloat. Read more>>
Mary Ricciardi
My optimisim comes from my faith and my daily dependence on God. I have also been trained in mindset work and use that in my daily life to keep going strong and creating a positve optimisim about life. I truly believe it is possible for everyone even if they have been through trauma and hardships in life. Moving my body also helps tremendously to create optimisim and an attitude adjustment if I am having a hard day. I also practice deep diaphramatic breathing exercises and while doing so I pray. I start most my mornings this way. Read more>>
Chrissy Kratsas
Life dealt me a lot of different cards, but at the end of the day even the more difficult ones aided in my journey to becoming the person I am today! Moving around a lot when I was younger helped me become more self-reliant. Just as taking on a lot of responsibilities as a young teenager taught me to have more empathy. Bad days will always exist and less-than-ideal situations will always arise. But it’s how we tackle them that determines the outcome. Just recently I’ve had some changes in my life arise, but they are leading me to become my most successful self. When everything works out the way it’s meant to, how can I not be optimistic? Read more>>
James Dixon
Knowing that problem solving and failures are apart of learning. Running a small business there are always issues or challenges that present themselves. It is important to understand that through all the adversity there is always a learning opportunity. Read more>>
Daria Ahh
There’s a lot of wonderful questions here, but i decided to pick this one cause i think it’s one of my strongest points, something that feels natural to me, but wasn’t there my entire life. It developed over the years and now i can’t imagine looking at life any differently other than with optimism 🙂 I love this question because i never actually thought about it in this way before – where does it come from, how did i develop it? I could say it comes from faith – in that there’s Higher Powers ruling our lives that have a plan for us, and working things out for us. But even though it’s partially true, it’s too abstract and not too honest. The honest answer would be ‘my life and all my experiences’ that have truly shaped my outlook on things. Read more>>
Joshelyn Salton
My optimism comes from God, people, and past failures. Growing up I’ve always been ambitious and pushed to reach my goal especially if I failed the first time. My father always taught me to get back up from the time he taught me how to ride a bike till the college years ended and till this present day. The worst thing you can do is give up (this was also taught by my dad). Failures only happen when you don’t try, Read more>>
Kelsey Martin
My optimism comes from me just naturally wanting people to be okay. I know that I cannot fix everything, but I’m always trying to get people to see the positive side of things. I’m a firm believer of what we speak manifests itself. If we’re always negative–we will get negative results. If we speak life into things, positivity into things… it will be positive. In my own life, I’ve had trials and tribulations that made me feel as if I’d never get through those patches. But, being optimistic has influenced people around me to speak in a way also. It’s a catch 22 for me because we are human and will want to be negative. It’s all about perception. Read more>>
Velimar Molina
Optimism for me comes from a true belief that everything works out in the end, in one way or another. I believe in the power of attraction and staying optimistic reminds me of what I want to attract. Whenever I start thinking negatively I force myself to snap out of it and see the positive side of any situation. This has really helped me throughout my career and my personal development. Read more>>
Shuchen Wang
My optimism comes from cherishing beautiful, delightful, and moving moments, which I transform into positive energy. This energy supports me during challenging times. Deep down, I have learned that everything will be okay in the end, and this belief has built my inner resilience. Read more>>
Gigi Chavarria
Without hopefulness and confidence there is no optimism. Similarly, without my parents I have no optimism. As adults, we often look back on our childhoods and ponder how we develop our beliefs, skills and confidence. I, a first-generation Mexican-American, witnessed my parents grappling with the language and cultural disparities in America. Despite the challenges, I witnessed my parent’s perseverance and ultimate success in achieving the American dream. Read more>>
Ryan Buchanan
I truly believe that one’s optimism is something that is a defined characteristic trait in their DNA. I have always felt optimistic about music and where this career path may take me one day. This crazy idea of becoming a professional trumpet player started when I was 12 years old and ever since then I have been determined to make sure that all of my dreams come true. I think that it is important not to allow your inner ego to hijack your optimism. We all have an ego to some extent, but as you mature and grow older, I believe that it is necessary to bury your ego and not to let that get in the way of achieving what it is you want in life. There are countless examples of egotistical people in this world who may achieve what they sought after in life, but become a turn off to everyone around them. I feel that it is absolutely crucial to be your authentic self if you want to experience high levels of success. Read more>>
Othniel Horvath
For me, telling stories and touching people’s hearts through that is everything. I believe in the power of sharing and that’s the reason why I make movies. Read more>>
Naomi Duben
I loved this question. I get so caught up in comparing myself to other people that I sometimes forget this quality about myself! I’m sure my optimism extended far beyond my adulthood and was always a quality I carried, but there’s definitely a distinct moment I remember clearly where it really kicked into hyperdrive. I had completed a personal development course called the Landmark Forum and had newly embarked on my journey for self-improvement. It was a truly fun and exciting time of self-discovery as I unlocked hidden parts of my past, dismantled my fixed ways of thinking, and found myself viewing life in a world of child-like wonder. Read more>>
Ali Slutsky
Optimism, for me, is deeply rooted in experience. Over the years, I’ve encountered numerous challenges and difficult situations that, in the moment, felt overwhelming. However, with time and reflection, I’ve realized that these hardships were often not as insurmountable as they seemed. Hindsight has a unique way of revealing that the trials we face are, more often than not, stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks. Every challenging experience brings with it a valuable lesson or opportunity for growth. When I look back on tough times, I see not just the difficulties but also the progress I made and the strengths I developed. This realization fosters a sense of optimism. It becomes clear that every obstacle is a chance to learn something new, to build resilience, and to emerge stronger than before. Read more>>
At-N Ausara-Lasaru
I believe one reaps the true benefits of optimism once they arrive to a position of knowing oneself. I’ve overcame a plethora of adversities simply due to intentionally developing my mental resilience and by sticking to my “personal script” if you will.
I’ve mapped my life out to ultimate precision and at this point it’s a matter of continuing to read what I have written, so to speak. Henceforth, why I can sleep calmly at night knowing that as long as I trust myself, the rest will fall into place. Read more>>
Bianca Flemister
My optimism springs from a blend of personal conviction and philosophical principles. Firstly, I firmly embrace the potency of a positive mindset. Regardless of the challenges I confront, I approach them with an optimistic perspective, confident that solutions await discovery. Secondly, my optimism draws from firsthand encounters with adversity conquered through perseverance and positivity. These experiences bolster my belief that even amidst darkness, a glimmer of hope emerges when I choose to focus on it. Furthermore, I am fortunate to have an awesome supportive network comprising business buddies, family, friends, and mentors. Their unshakable confidence in my abilities and their own optimistic worldview serve as constant reminders that optimism is not just viable but indispensable for personal development and triumph. Read more>>
Naushad Huda
The source of my optimism has evolved over time, shaped by my experiences and the people I’ve encountered. A fundamental part of who I am, though certainly tested in recent times, is my belief in and genuine liking for humans. I see potential, goodness, and resilience in people, even when faced with challenges. Additionally, I’m infinitely curious. I love to inquire and am never timid about asking questions. This curiosity drives me to explore new ideas, learn continuously, and engage with the world around me. Every day, I find something new to be fascinated by, whether it’s a different perspective, an untold story, or a fresh concept. Combining my strong belief in humans with my insatiable curiosity provides me with an abundance of things to look forward to and engage with. This dynamic keeps me optimistic and excited about what each new day might bring. There’s always something to learn, someone to connect with, and a new experience to be had, fueling my optimism and keeping my outlook positive. Read more>>
Laura Jane Jones
My optimism ultimately comes from my upbringing in my family. i was raised with optimism. I was also raised to understand that dualities co-exist daily and probably will until the end of time. In other words where there is light, there is dark and vice versa. The live together side by side. Same idea with optimism. Optimism cannot exist without pessimism and vice versa. They are the yin and the yang. But ultimately i believe optimism is a choice. Just like pessimism is a choice. So ultimately i choose optimism. Though sometimes it is hard to choose that given whatever circumstances might be before you. The path forward is not always the line that you think it is, you get thrown a curveball and sometimes the “excercise” in that life moment is how do you dodge that curveball and keep going. Because you must keep going…..failure is not an option. Optimism is something my parents were and now ultimately how i choose to be live and exist in. Read more>>
Cathy Orr
My optimism comes from an internal feeling I have that life is about improvement, making things better. A great example of this is our Declutter Deck® from The Uncluttered Life, Inc. Declutter Deck® helps people get control of the clutter in their lives. It helps them streamline the process of decluttering by using little chunks of their time on a weekly basis to focus their attention on one area of their home. By working through our prompt decks of 52 cards, people declutter their homes and living environments in no time at all. As a result, people’s attitudes about their lives change. They improve. People feel more optimistic about their lives. Read more>>
