Optimism is like magic – it has the power to make the impossible a reality because it gives folks to courage and motivation to try. If there is one thing we believe everyone should guard with their life, it’s their optimism and so we asked some of the most optimistic folks we know to talk to us about how they developed their optimism.
Shei Caballero
It may stem from my childhood. My mother was a teacher, so my brother and I were raised with the “you can do it” mentality, and also my family have always been my cheerleaders. A lot of positive reinforcement from an early age, but as an adult, I became aware pretty early of emotions vs. logic and what is actually in our control. Read more>>
Mario Gage
One of my favorite song lyrics is “your attitude determines your latitude,” which of course is the opening line uttered by Kanye West on Rhymefest’s 2006 hit song “Brand New.” I oftentimes find myself quoting this particular lyric because it’s so true—having a positive attitude and approach to all that life throws at you can put you lightyears ahead of mastering whatever hurdle or obstacle you are trying to overcome. Read more>>
Dominique “Dom” Brightmon
My optimism comes from actively pursuing improvement. In 2013, I started having a one to three word theme for my year, the New Year’s Mantra. Rebirth was my mantra of choice, and one of the habits I added to my repertoire to aid my rebirth was to become a voracious reader who would read at least 50 books a year. Of the books I read, “Thinking For a Change” by John C. Maxwell became one of my favorites because it encouraged me to think bigger, better, and for the long term through the power of asking yourself questions. Read more>>
Vincent Romanelli
I’m not sure if it’s ignorance or intelligence. I relate deeply to Figment. His love of creativity and imagination speaks to my core. I don’t think I would have been able to connect that until my adult years, but as I look back at those core memories, combined with Ted Lasso’s curiosity speech while playing darts, I can trace it back to my younger years. I’ve always been able to ask myself “yeah, but what if….” and that still carries on through my professional life. Read more>>
Paula Robbins
Having been through, key word “through”, a great deal of trauma and difficult situations in life, I’ve learned many ugly and yet beautiful lessons. All of which have taught me that beauty always comes, in the form of wisdom, reprieve and redemption. Read more>>
Jarrett Kirby
It comes from experience and a solid upbringing. I’ve always had an inmate sense that if someone else can accomplish something, so can I – within reason! My parents always made sure to support myself and my siblings in whatever passions we went after, and it made it easy to be happy. Read more>>
Tanya Kaiser
I wasn’t optimistic for a long time. There was a period of my life when everything felt dire, and that I was never going to get ahead. I experienced a very grueling divorce, that went on for nearly 4 years. Despite my ex-husband wanting me to feel ‘punished’ I decided to unapologetically carve out the life I wanted despite what I was experiencing and against what the rest of the world was telling me. Read more>>
John Chiong
Well, my optimism basically comes from music. Whenever I feel down and not right, i just listen to music and it not only lifts up my spirit but it also clears my mind and gives me motivation to practically anything. Read more>>
David-Paul Norman
It started with learning from my grandfather. He had a lot of tragedy and trauma in his life and always maintained an optimistic attitude. I had some serious health issues as a kid and he always said I was going to be OK. He was right. Read more>>
Janece Streeter
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been an optimist, almost to the point of being overoptimistic. I honestly think it was a trait that I was born with. I try to find the positive in every situation and I always believe that everything works out exactly how it is supposed to work out. Read more>>
Amanda Keshner
I have always been the optimistic one in my family despite the chaos twirling all around me. I grew up in NYC raised by “adults” with dysregulated nervous systems just trying their best to survive in an intense environment. As an empath and intuitive, I was constantly witnessing and feeling everyone else’s sadness, pain, suffering, doubt, guilt, and every low vibrational emotion you can think of. Within that darkness, I somehow became the “light”, the optimistic one. Read more>>
Darrian Smith
Growing up in Lawrenceville ga being the baby of 4 I watched along bad and alot of good around me . I often had to to pay attention to my eldest mistakes and make strides from them . I’ve watched people go to jail . Siblings become homeless … Growing up I was a good athlete knew I would play football for some big time school and later become a professional. Read more>>
Florentina Beck
Since I can remember, I’ve always maintained a positive attitude. People often described me as a cheerful and adventurous kid, and I believe that laid the foundation for who I am today. Currently, I find myself in the most fulfilling phase of my life — being a mother to two adorable kids. Witnessing their growth and the daily discoveries they make fills my heart with love and underscores the beauty of life. Read more>>
Dashea Farber-Socolof
Life’s trials & tribulation. I am a firm believer in that everything happens for a reason. When coming out of the hardest, scariest, loneliest situations in my life. No matter how impossible it may have seemed to overcome. I can always look back and see how it all happened for a reason. You just see how the pieces came together. Therefore, it helps give you an optimistic approach on life. Read more>>
Irving Gonzalez
I’m Blessed enough to do what I love and what I always dream on doing it, so every day that passes and I’m still able to do it once again, there is no reason why to be mad or sad. Always grateful for the opportunity. Read more>>
Kathy Chlan
Growing up, my Mom & Dad were always laughing. They had an incredible marriage and had so much fun together. Believe me, I am sure they had adversity, but they never showed it to us kids. Both of them knew that they would get through it and that they would rather laugh than cry. My father’s quote that has stayed with me to this day is “Life is like a card game. It is not about the hand you get, it is how you play it. Play it with dignity, grace and laughter”. Read more>>
Josefien Stoppelenburg
I’m lucky in the sense that I am naturally a pretty cheerful person. When I was a kid I would have these giggle attacks, usually during dinner time. My parents would put me behind the sofa, where I would continue to laugh until I was ready to eat something again. Read more>>
Emily Fritze
Such a large part of opening a business is risk, and it’s nearly impossible to accept risk if you can’t be optimistic. I don’t think of optimism as being naive or believing that everything will go exactly as planned, but to me it’s meant believing that I’ll be able to ride the wave of what happens regardless of what it is, or how far it’s deviated from what I expected. When we were opening city mud we were delayed by 8 months because of permitting issues. Read more>>
Jacob Eliett
I have always been an optimistic person and enthusiastic about the future. It has not only shaped my desire to create but has also empowered me to move forward on my path. My optimism is forged in our talented community, which combines a variety of disciplines so we can all create something phenomenal together. Read more>>
Helen Bowles
Where does my optimism come from? Easy. My Faith. It seems like such a hokey “Christian” response but it is really true. I promise not to fill this entire article up with my faith but follow me for a minute. Many people looking from the outside in have the false perspective that my life has been a cakewalk. If you get to know me on a truly personal level you will learn pretty quickly that it has been anything but. Read more>>
Ken Sparks
Growing up, I was always encouraged by my parents to view situations in a positive light. Yes, there will be challenges and obstacles, that is part of life. But there is beauty in going through the process, moving through those challenges. That is what makes you grow, builds your character, and gives you life experiences. Having faith, the will power to preserver, and the understanding that there will be success in the end. Read more>>
Brooks Patrick Allen
I was six years-old when my mother was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. I was too young at the time to understand the reality of the diagnosis, however, my mother didn’t skip a beat and it was as if she knew she was going to be okay. Her mental strength and perseverance through her recovery had a huge impact on how I see a setback as a challenge. She fully recovered and quite literally provided the groundwork for my own optimism. Read more>>
Aaron Kendall Wilson
My Optimism comes from a feeling inside myself of “I can do this”. I then look to other artists who are doing exactly what I want to be doing, and that inspires me greatly. Read more>>
Hayley Wester
Our optimism actually comes from the very product we built our business off of. Both Taj and myself weren’t in the best place mentally and we were struggling with a huge negative life change that continued to drag us down at the time. We were both in therapy and while we were a strong united front, we knew there had to be a better way to lift our spirits. Read more>>
Andi Willis
My work ethic and sense of entrepreneurship comes from my parents and grandparents. When I was in the 3rd grade, my family built and opened a boarding kennel beside our house. My parents worked full-time jobs during the week and then ran the kennel on the weekends, while my retired grandparents operated it during the week. Read more>>
Lorie Vincent, CEcD
I am a hopeful and positive person by nature. From a young age, my parents instilled in me that success and happiness does not necessary material wealth, but wealth of family, friends and community. They taught to always search for work that is rewarding and impactful. I was fortunately to find a career that jazzed by heart. Read more>>
