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.

Dennis Perkins

To have maximum optimism, which is where I live, comes from the belief that tomorrow will be better than today. In reality, is everyday better than the previous; sometimes not, but the trajectory of my life should look exactly like this. I’m grounded in the promise and assurance that Jesus has already won the war for my salvation and I am spending eternity in His presence and worshiping Him as my Lord forever. With this as the backdrop, I want to live everyday He grants me here on earth to the fullest and I want everyone around me to feel the joy that I have while walking in His presence. Read More>>

Manami Moriyama

I think my optimism comes from my life experience. I moved to NY alone from Japan when I was 18, I had a lot to figure out: I needed to learn simple house chores and budgeting, I needed to make sure I was safe, I needed to get used to US culture and language, I needed to make new friends, and I also needed to make sure I get a job to support my self. It took me some time and some mistakes to learn some life lessons, but at the end, it always worked out. I always say “it’s gonna be fine” no matter how hard it is or frustrated I am at the moment. Because it will be. Of course I have to work for it. Nothing happens if I just wait, but as long as I’m making correct effort, I’ll figure it out one way or another. Read More>>

Stephanie Ross

Almost 9 years ago, I was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, after a months-long journey to find out what was causing my symptoms. Pancreatic Cancer is tough to detect, due to the deep location of the organ in the abdomen, and the symptoms that can mimic so many other benign causes. I was told that I had, at best, two years to live.

At that moment, I decided that pursuing joy would be the main focus of the time I had left. My main goal was spending as much time with my son as possible, and every moment I have with him is truly a gift. Another dream I had was to be a mermaid. Read More>>

JAMES ROSS

Most stories of optimism seem to come from an individuals childhood. In some cases from positive influences, in others from realizing that life could be better if you try to make it better. For me, life was developed from a childhood that centered on adults that drank too much, talked too poorly of others and blamed their unfortunate circumstances on people around them. Read More>>

Marisa Landetta

Growing up everyone would tell me I was so happy all the time and that I have such a positive outlook on life. It wasn’t until I was older and faced some hardships of life – failing courses, struggling with my mental and physical health, difficult relationships – that I really had to dig deep and reflect on my view of the world. It was in these moments of struggle I felt my optimism for life was born. I often think back to my middle school theatre teacher, David, who was the first person that taught me that the way I act, or the way I react, was always my choice and nobody could ever “make” me do something or feel something if I chose not to. Learning this principle was life-changing, nobody could make me mad anymore – I decided it. From that point on, I chose to be happy. Making this choice is a daily effort and easier to make on some days more than others.  Read More>>

Alma Schneider

My optimism comes from seeing how much being part of a community can help individuals who are struggling become hopeful and confident enough to change the world.
When my son was born with a debilitating disability, I felt ashamed and very isolated. Once I allowed myself to discuss the feelings with others in similar situations, I felt less isolated and more empowered to change the perception of disability in my community.
I decided to start a support group that has now been running for 17 years! We have over 600 families and we help each other with emotional support, practical resources and social activism.
I co-founded a non-profit helping create and foster community for parents of children with disabilities Read More>>

Luba Patlakh

Where does my optimism come from?

Not from comfort.
Not from luck.
It comes from being evicted in 5th grade while my parents worked themselves to the bone.
It comes from watching my mom hold the weight of the world — raising kids, running businesses, and caring for my dad after his heart attack.
It comes from knowing nothing was ever handed to us — not stability, not success, not even peace. Read More>>

Michelle Russ

As a freelancer, maintaining optimism can indeed be a daily challenge, particularly in our current economic climate. However, my optimism is consistently renewed by focusing on two key areas: the tangible end result of my creative work and the intrinsic joy I find in the process of creating.

Seeing a successful campaign or a perfectly captured moment provides a powerful sense of fulfillment, and that, combined with the inherent satisfaction of the creative process, is what ultimately sustains my personal optimism. Read More>>

Mike Ferrell

My optimism is deeply rooted in my faith. I believe God is always doing something, even when I can’t immediately see it. That belief keeps me anchored when things feel uncertain, and it gives me hope that what I’m building, learning, and walking through all serve a greater purpose. Optimism, for me, isn’t wishful thinking. It’s faith in action. It’s choosing to keep going, keep serving, and keep believing that seeds are being planted even when nothing has broken ground yet. Read More>>

William Okaily

For me, optimism is not passive hope—it is an active practice, one that I cultivate daily through my work as an artist and educator. It comes from a belief that even within fragmentation, uncertainty, or loss, there are still textures worth exploring, nuances worth honoring, and spaces worth building.

Part of this stems from my engagement with East Asian philosophies of Nothingness and the spiritual teachings of Druze mysticism, where emptiness is not a void but a fertile ground for new perception. I have always been drawn to the idea that stripping away excess—whether visually, emotionally, or intellectually—heightens our sensitivity to what remains. It invites us to find grandeur in the granular, to recognize the profound in small, often overlooked moments. Read More>>

Christine Layne

I haven’t always been the most optimistic person. Throughout high school and into college, I battled with depression. I still do from time to time, but I am in a much better place in life to be able to deal with those intrusive thoughts and have learned how to properly talk myself through the lows.
Being depressed is like being stuck in a hole, and every time you try to climb out, a piece of the wall breaks and you slide farther down. Getting out is the absolute best feeling in the world, but it takes work, and staying down is just easier. Read More>>

Linda Lygdback & Sahar Whitley

Our optimism comes from life experience. It’s like the law of attraction. The energy you send out is what you get back. It comes from our mix of personality, experiences and the way we approach life. We had a crazy idea and just dove in with enthusiasm. We’re not afraid to create, build, and put things out into the world. Instead of seeing it as an obstacle (starting this new business) we see it as an opportunity. Read More>>

Seyun Grace Kim

I don’t remember a time when I hadn’t struggled with existential dread. At age 3, I asked my parents why had they adopted me out of pity (PS. I am not adopted…) At age 5, I asked my gym teacher what is the meaning of a true friend. At age 6, I asked my Sunday school teacher what is the meaning of life.

As you can imagine by the time I was in high school my freshman year, I already had enough. There was no meaning in this life on earth. That year I lost someone I loved dearly for five months straight one each month, and one of them being my aunt. No one can erase the scars, the endless nights of crying, staving myself, and attempting to commit suicide numerous times all while putting up the tiring facade of perfect, straight A’s, plays the flute, started the theatre program, sermon translator and pastor’s daughter, Seyun Grace Kim. Read More>>

Susie McColgan

To be honest, I’m not sure.
But what I do know is whenever something happens that didnt go according to my plan I step back, process, figure out if I can do anything to change or help the situation, then I somehow “flip it” into looking at it from an accepting, different point-of-view. Somehow that turns it into something I can see something good or positive about it. I always know I cannot change the past, you just have to make choices about how you’re going to react, or move forward about it. One thing to think about is why waste precious time stewing about something when in that same time you could be in an upbeat, happy and creative place that allows you to bring joy into the world! Read More>>

Jorie Bandauski

My optimism has always been a significant part of who I am and something that my parents nurtured within me from a very young age. Mom and Dad taught me that how I choose to see the world shapes how I will experience it. Thus, I have learned that whether I choose to consider a given set of circumstance to be a setback or a setup, a closed door or a redirection, a simple shift in my perspective to identify and then focus on the opportunity presented before me can make all the difference in the world in regards to the final outcome. As both a designer and a founder, frequent challenges are invariably part of the process of building a business, but I have found that maintaining a positive, open-minded outlook allows me to navigate through or around such speed bumps (or even full on road blocks!) with more flow, creativity and grace. Read More>>

Jaida Foreman

Resistance. Existence. The experience of my existence as a form of resistance. I am a Queer Gender Non Conforming Black Native American. Despite witch hunts, scalping, paper genocide, ETC… I’m still here. My ancestry not only survives, but thrives because I actively choose joy in the face of despair. In spite of it all, I still have life… it might as well be a joyful one. Read More>>

Sethy Books

For me, optimism is a choice a perspective of abundance no matter the situation. I think if one challenged themselves to observe the Universe and their lives in relation to it, they would observe the only real fact we can all agree on from the micro to the macro is; the Universe & Life is Abundant. So choosing Optimism is In accordance with the actual energy of source, The Universe. If one allows oneself to linger on thoughts of “having less” or “I can’t do it” then certainly the results of that kind of thinking will be in disharmony with what the universe is and wants which if you ask me is abundance. Read More>>

Heaven Hope

Wow! I have always been blessed with an indomitable spirit, indestructible joy and the playful joy vibration of an eternal wonder child. I am a Cock-eyed Opti-Mystic in the face of any challenge or obstacle. I came in this way. It makes absolutely no sense and it doesn’t have to. Does anything here in this world make sense? I am not here to make sense. I am here to make magic. There may also be a delusional pollyanna dancing and moving me through all the twists, turns and tests on this bold journey of Life. I have always seen through the veil of illusion, separation and manipulation in this Matrix, shadow dance of darkness and light. Read More>>

Rich Saner

I’ve never been described by friends as an overly optimistic person. Some would say I can be a bit of a pessimist, but I believe I’m a realist, which is extremely crucial in life. However, when I put my business hat on, I am nothing but optimistic about each event we put on with the hopes it’s wildly successful. Read More>>

Adrian

I would love to say that it comes from me, but it doesn’t. Optimism is one of those things I believe to be spiritual in nature. And you either practice it or you don’t. Being optimistic requires a tremendous amount of faith. Not in one’s own abilities but in a higher, more intelligent power governing things beyond human understanding. As a fallible, imperfect being, if I were to put all my trust in myself, I’d surely be in for a catastrophe. But if I lean on a power greater than myself, that is divine and omnipotent then I can be confident in knowing all will be well. In essence, optimism is letting go of the illusion of control and trusting that the entire universe is conspiring with me to make my dreams come true. Read More>>