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.
Scarlett Ripberger

I would argue and say that I am not an optimist I think sometimes I see myself more as a pessimist, however I think, after being in such a dark place from my compacted grief, losing my mom, and then a few months after losing my nephew, and then a few months after losing one of my good friends, I think I learn to take you know the sadness and that dark time of my life and use it to write not only for myself, but for others, who are struggling with grief, and knowing that my words were helping other people made me so much more optimistic about life and my writing. Read more>>
Natacha Gomez-Dupuy

My upbringing in Haiti instilled in me essential values like respect, gratitude, compassion, and resilience. These qualities, nurtured by my family, became my compass when faced with adversity. Witnessing a drastic shift from security to hardship, I leaned on these lessons to navigate challenging times. Now, positivity serves as my guiding light, propelling me forward. Read more>>
Rucky Likekele

My optimism comes from my faith honestly. I believe in Jesus Christ and what the Bible says. Yes, I do admit even then, I have moments where I don’t feel happy or even optimistic, but I always decide to look at the bright side of things but always use wisdom and discernment. I look at Scriptures of people who have been in similar situations and examples of modern day people. Read more>>
Ashley Stone

My optimism isn’t something I can trace back to a single moment or influence—it’s more like a result of a collections of experiences. Growing up, I was surrounded by my parents’ unwavering work ethic and their belief that every problem has a solution. Their attitude rubbed off on me, and it’s become my own motto: “Don’t complain until you’ve tried to fix it.” Read more>>
Arpita Saha

It is all about the perspective and how you think and act. Everything has good and bad, but you need to determine which path you want to follow. I believe in working on things people can’t take away from me, like my mindset, my personality, my behavior, and of course, my optimism. It is all about your mindset and positivity. Read more>>
Tanya Andrews

I am a single mother of three children, My only goal is to make a comfortable life for them. Being successful is the only way to do so. I have to teach them that no matter what cards you are dealt, you have to keep going. Play your best hand with those cards. I know the successful, comfortable life I want to give them is right on the other side of owning my own business and running it successfully. Read more>>
Phoebe Mallinson

I’m always striving to be better. But implicit in that, somewhere, is the belief that I can be. I think I’m an optimist quite simply because I know that there are things I can learn and change about myself. So even when I’m sad about something not being right either in or around me, I believe I can work to get closer to what I want. Read more>>
Edwin Borquez Pierrot

My optimism comes from understanding the process of knowing how the universe works. At times life will show you a different side but at the end of it all it things will always work out. In addition keeping a positive mindset no matter what is happening in life will always show you a light at the end of the tunnel. Read more>>
Noelle

My optimism 100 percent comes from my Faith. I am a Christian and my Faith has always been the Light that guides me. When I reflect on my personal struggles and career setbacks, I genuinely believe that the only reason I am still here is by the Grace of God. Read more>>
Tamia Wells

I believe my optimism comes from the desires of my heart. Due to me believing that my future is bright, that gives me the hope that I need to fight past the troubles of today and live for the victories of tomorrow. Hope is the key factor to obtaining and maintaining optimism. Hope and faith. Read more>>
Brianna Lopez

My optimism comes from my love for the outdoors and my ability to not allow things to fester for too long in my personal life. I travel, I care about the world, people and how things feel. Perfection is not the goal, but being able to find my way through challenges really helps me maintain my grounded-ness which is not always consistent. Read more>>
Aubrey Linnea

I have always believed that waking up each day, looking in the mirror and verbalizing “It’s going to be a good day” will get me a lot further than having negative thoughts. Growing up, my parents did a good job of teaching me to be positive in any situation. I apply this to my work as a companion. My clients will say I’m always cheerful, smiling, and fun to be around. It’s rewarding to spend time with someone and see their stress disappear by the time we say goodbye. Read more>>
Benen Dykstra

I would say that I get my optimism fro my mother Connie. I was born with Cerebral Palsy in Cayuga Ontario Canada which as of this writing has a population of around 1700 people. Cerebral Palsy has presented a lot of challenges from trying to get expensive bathroom renovations to the emotional challenges of trying to be my own independent person but, no matter how many times i’ve felt down about myself or my situation my mom has always reminded me to appreciate the small things like going out for ice cream, strolls in the park, and reminding me that my situation could have been much worse. Read more>>
Alec Dahmer

I think my optimism recently comes from my friends, peers, and colleagues. I think one thing that can be difficult about this industry is the in-between jobs moments where I’m not sure what I’m doing next and I’m not sure when whatever I’m doing next will happen. These in-between moments are the moments that make or break me. Read more>>
Robert Colt

I’ve always been naturally optimistic. When I was a baby and my mom pushed me around in my stroller in NYC I was known as smiley. I’m lucky that nature expresses through me in this way. Read more>>
Katherine Slevin

I feel like life is a series of adventures, and is such a mix of so many wonderful moments, as well as ones that are difficult. Regardless of what happens, staying positive has helped me see the good in my life. My dad has been such an example of that – thanking God for all the big and small things throughout the day, and I try and adopt the same attitude. Read more>>
LaCora Robinson

I believe that my Optimism comes from God. I have a strong belief that everything is working for our good. I am not a person who likes negativity. As I am growing in my faith I am learning to “Count it all good.” Which means to me even when a situation does not go our way, it is still in our good favor. In life I have had so many obstacles and I could not have gone through them without the Lords guidance and help. Read more>>
Joel Sartore

Climate change is wreaking havoc on species who are already struggling to survive, and the effects of climate change will only get worse without our intervention. It is a scary thought, but I truly believe that together we can protect the species and ecosystems that are critical to our survival before it’s too late. Read more>>
Rosanna Barr.

Choice, I believe we all have a choice when we wake up, to be positive and optimistic about a new day or not. When you choose to be positive and optimistic even when circumstances seem against you, it changes how your day will proceed, When you manifest and see how a client chooses you above anyone else, that can change your whole week. Read more>>
Keylonda Wheeler

My optimism truly stems from my faith in God and my community! My mama can be quoted jokingly saying that I make people feel like they can get to the moon on a paper plate. The more people I have met and rooms I’ve entered, I realized that we are all just human. So, that means that there’s no one that’s any better than you or me. God did not create us to be fearful or to operate on our own. Read more>>
Jakari Lister

I’ll talk about optimism because, for me, optimism is a key tool in getting through the day. Optimism helps me through planning a film shoot, walking into new spaces, dating, going to the gym, you name it; Optimism is required in life. I only acquired my current sense of optimism from years of being around pessimists and adopting an “I can’t because of_” mindset. Read more>>
Lexi Wintermute

Genetics. My mom is one of the most optimistic individuals I’ve ever met. Her grace and her compassion are out of this world. My mom is a survivor, she had an accident when she was a young woman and overcame that chapter of her life with perseverance. She is an angel and doesn’t take life for granted. Read more>>
Judy Batista

My optimism is deeply rooted in my personal journey. As a first-generation American raised by my immigrant single mother, her incredible resilience in the face of adversity has been a constant source of inspiration. Despite having to abandon her education at a young age due to impoverished conditions, she instilled in me the belief that with determination, one can overcome any obstacle. Read more>>
Amber Hockeborne

Hardships in my life have always proven to be the greatest gifts of my life. Time and time again when I find myself facing a mountain which seems impossible to climb, I have the ability to stop and a look around, discovering what is actually guiding me in the directions of my dreams. Embodying and acting upon the idea that my thoughts create my reality has lead me through many challenging moments in my life. Read more>>
Tiana Woods

I grew up in a very dysfunctional, estranged family that was very different from the experience that all my friends and peers had. I knew that I was in for a very rough ride at a young age with no resources or help ( I actually grew up living in an RV for a while), so I had to be very resilient at an age where most people got to be very care free. Read more>>
Shelly Anderson

I’ve always found myself to be a highly optimistic person. Maybe this comes from past experience. I’ve found joy in jumping into the unknown and wondering “what could possibly go wrong?”, because even if something does go wrong, I still find that everything works out in the end. I can find all the ways to make lemonade out of lemons. Read more>>
Revé

For a cheesy beginning, I think I naturally have been that person who just thought things would always work out. It wasn’t until I was an adult, freshly a young widow with the world around me walking through a viral pandemic, having to recreate what I thought my life was…that’s when I felt like my natural optimism and hope began to slip away. Condolences felt empty. Everyday felt like it missed several pieces. Read more>>
Biboluwa Fatukasi

I will say my optimism came from my parents especially my dad .he instill that confidence in me that whatever you set your mind on you can achieve it .this life is not easy nor my business’s rather if you want it you have to go for it you have to show up for yourself everyday because no one is going to show up for you. Read more>>
Katy Wicker

My crippling depression! Though joking (mostly), my entire life has constantly suffered from my mental health. It’s exhausting! However, it’s also instilled in me this drive to always maintain a positive outlook and appearance. Not only have I found it helps those around me, it helps me as well. It’s my own psychological trick to staying out of pits of depression, and thankfully, it works more often than not! Read more>>
Danni Gyrl

My optimism comes from my faith and belief in God. I grew up in church and I genuinely believe if I could envision it, I could achieve it. I would quote scriptures to myself to push myself through all my adversities. When I was younger I would tell myself God knew me in the womb and whatever I was doing was part of the journey. When I got a little older, I would tell myself all things work together for the good of them that love God. Read more>>
Lori Mitchell

I tend to be a glass half full kind of person. My mom was always a very positive thinker and she passed that on to her three daughters. She was a single mom and things were extremely difficult but she always had the attitude that together, we could do anything. She was a clothes designer and artist and she used her creative skills to solve all kinds of problems. She proved over and over that there was always a way and we managed to get through some tough times. Read more>>
Martin Hsu

Nowadays, I’m happy to say my optimism is deeply rooted in gratitude. Gratitude for crossing paths with individuals and their families at art shows, conventions, or on social media. Gratitude for the relentless support and unconditional love from my family and friends. Lastly, gratitude for myself who continues to deepen my connection to the world by being open, staying in wonder and letting the light in. Read more>>
Cat Chickering

Working in such a great industry with an exceptional crew definitely helps me stay optimistic. When you are surrounded by like minded, hard working individuals, you know you have a lot to be happy about. Their desire to strive and keep the shop advancing as much as I do makes me look forward to what the future may hold. Read more>>
Jodi Kaye

I make a conscious decision to be an optimistic person. As I’ve gotten older, I have realized that we make our own choices. We are given one life to live and we were given the power of choice. We can choose to make the best of our one life or not. It is easy to get stuck in negative thinking when we are having a bad day, or something doesn’t go the way we want it to go, or if something horrible happens in life. Read more>>
Lynn Vogeler

It is sometimes tough to be optimistic in today’s world but choosing to be negative isn’t an option for me. I’m a glass-half-full person and it doesn’t serve me at all to be depressed or anxious about things. I choose to believe that people are mostly kind and want the best for others and our world. Read more>>
Whitney Bass

I believe optimism can be your protection against life’s naysayers! With that said, I haven’t always believed that. I’d like to think I’ve developed that outlook overtime & thru hardship. When I think about how or where I developed that mindset I think it really comes from a time early in my life when I was battling an illness & just starting out in my career. Read more>>
Katherine Scott, M.Ed/Ed.S, LMFT
Optimism has a tendency to slip into an all-or-nothing perspective. Those who mindfully lean into optimism can experience a sense of wrongdoing if they have a few rough days, or struggle to recognize the vulnerable fears that accompany being human. Throughout my life’s journey, I have sat with my relationship with optimism not only professionally, but personally. Read more>>