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.
Taurea Avant
I would say my optimism comes from all the mess-ups, setbacks, and challenges I’ve faced. Sounds crazy, right? But hear me out. Every time something went wrong, I pushed through and came out stronger. Read more>>
Bob Marcus
People ask me all the time…how to you do it? How do you wake up and just go? I guess people ask me that question because they must have their morning coffee and I don’t. I have never liked coffee. My stimulant I guess is life! Read more>>
Dwayne Parker
My optimism comes from a strong faith in Jesus Christ. Being a Christian and believing in God and his promises give me great hope in the future because I know that I have the creator in my corner and he is well tested. I am able to take risks and to have no regrets in any decision that I seek his counsel in. Read more>>
Eesha Patel
My optimism comes from a vision of a better future. I know that no matter what the world looks like now, that there is hope for us to band together as a human race and consciously choose the reality we want. Read more>>
Faraz Niafattah
My optimism stems from a deeply rooted belief in the resilience of the human spirit and the inherent capacity for growth amidst challenges. As Marcus Aurelius once wisely said, ‘The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.’ Read more>>
Marla Tseng
While there is a part of me that is naturally optimistic and believes that everything happens for a reason (after all, I’m an astrologer), there is also a part of me that can become easily consumed by fear, worry, and negative thoughts. To be honest, it can feel radical to be intentionally optimistic, and I would liken my optimism to a practice rather than an automatic response. Read more>>
Colton Cox
I think a lot of people in my life would tell me I’m perhaps a bit too cynical to be an optimist, but I’ve always thought of myself as a cautious optimist. When faced with a problem, I often start with the worst possible outcomes so that I can plan to avoid those choices first. Read more>>
Gina Torres
My optimism comes from knowing who I am and what I stand for. This is something many people will never get to experience, because they are always looking for external factors for permission, happiness, and understanding in this world. This whole life is full of lessons, and we deserve to have the ability to go through them all. Read more>>
Yilin Xing
My optimism serves as a cornerstone for maintaining a positive and upbeat outlook on life. I believe that even when bad things happen to me, they inevitably bring value and lessons to the table. I hold firm to an old Chinese saying: “The heart wants what it wants.” This phrase suggests a form of self-psychological conditioning, implying that our expectations and fears often guide the outcome of events. Read more>>
Douglas Cifranick
So I would say that I am very naturally a pessimistic person I’m a person that’s naturally easy to stress I’m part of my personality is to internalize any concerns questions and always feel like I’m about to be blamed or that something is all my fault. My perspective changed heavily in 2018 when I started my fight with cancer. Read more>>
Joysha Fajardo
My optimism stemmed from my insecurity and lack of self-esteem. As an only child with parents whose generations were always told what to do, I felt the same restriction because that’s what they only knew. It made me conscientious about my ambitions, from paying for my first laptop up to starting my own business. Read more>>
Thomas Smith
My optimism comes from the community I cultivate through my life, through my work, through my recreation, through my family and friends, through any endeavor. You get to see the living breathing society around you fueled on our humanity, and that living thing is built upon lives just like our own for millennia. We are part of that beautiful tapestry that we get to weave our own special thread through, that can change the whole picture. Read more>>
Dina Behar Hevert
My optimism comes from my parents. They taught me, that my thoughts have power and to think positively. They also instilled faith in me, I was raised to believe that everything happens for a reason. As I have grown up into an adult, one of my core tenants in life is that everything works out the way it’s supposed to. Read more>>
Soo Choi
I can live optimistically because of the realm I live in. Thanks to my mom and dad, who showered me with love and taught me to think widely, deeply, and brightly without fear, I have become the person I am today. Alongside my mentors, colleagues, and friends, I have been able to face challenges and passionately focus on what I do. Read more>>
David Wilkerson
My optimism comes from having a very clear trajectory, and life slowly but surely revealing the path to me as long as I make sound decisions. I also understand that in order to excel in something “different”, it takes quite a bit of delusion. Not allowing others to speak fear over your plans is essential to remaining optimistic. Read more>>
Natali Stidham
I like to think of myself as a natural born optimist… I’ve always seen the value and richness of life and its smallest of wonders. Years ago, I decided to get the words “SHINE BRIGHT” tattooed on the middle of my arms so I could boldly show any pessimists that I’ll be in my colorful little world and the light in me will never be dulled. Read more>>
Kyle Olson
My optimism is deeply rooted in the foundation laid by my parents. They always viewed life through a lens of hope and positivity, even during the most challenging times. They taught me that every situation, no matter how difficult, holds a lesson or a silver lining that can bring a smile to our faces. Read more>>
Jethro Patalinghug
My optimism comes from growing up with not having so many options. As child in the slums of the Philippines, I’ve experienced dire hardships, sometimes literally not having anything to eat. I think that humanity’s natural tendency is to make do with whatever is given to them. Growing up poor was an opportunity and a learning experience. Read more>>
Stormi Skye
My optimism comes from my support system and the opportunity to leave this world with a few more smiles than I found it. We all only have one life to live and the chance to choose our legacy. While no one is perfect, I have committed myself to bringing a positive light to all those I encounter throughout my life. Read more>>
James Goertel
This is a poignant question given the pessimistic attitude that seems pervasive in society these days. I think my sense of optimism comes from visualizing what might be possible and then putting in the effort to get from one point to another. Read more>>
GABS
My optimism comes from knowing that everything will be okay in the end. Life can be tough, but these challenges have made me mentally strong from a young age. Staying positive and taking action has brought real results for me. Read more>>
Hunter Hu
My solution to maintain the optimistic point of view is to stay focus on the thing itself, instead of the consequences, the correlated, and the corresponding. I have always been a pessimistic person since middle school. The biggest reason behind that is the anxiety for the uncertain consequences, what people would feel and comment, and all of the “what if” questions. Read more>>
Yujia (Yoka) Gong
I have to say, being optimistic considers timing, environment and the people around you. My optimism has been built up in different stages. “Your day may be happy, your day may be unhappy, but after all it’s still the same day – so why not face each day with a positive outlook?” Read more>>
IVYMAY
I am generally optimistic and attribute my relatively easy childhood to my belief in reincarnation. I am grateful for my family, especially my parents. As an adult, I’ve delved into understanding the world’s workings, realizing everything is energy vibrating at different frequencies, including thoughts and emotions. Read more>>
Daphne Thibodeaux
I cannot deny that the optimism I have was inherited from my parents. In different ways but they both instilled it in me, and I also believe it was given by God. One of my favorite scriptures is, Luke 1:37 “For with God, nothing shall be impossible.” My husband says to me at least once a week, that I never worry. Read more>>
Taylor Florence
My mom was always positive, no matter the circumstances she was facing. Unfortunately, she fought colon cancer for many years before passing in 2006. Whenever I feel down or pessimistic about something, I try to remember her positive attitude, even when facing something as impossible as cancer. She was the ultimate example for me. Read more>>
Maria Covarrubias
My optimism is a gift from my mother! She is a double cancer survivor and kidney transplant recipient. Ever since I can remember she has always been the most positive and optimistic person I know! She has shown me the path to an optimistic lifestyle and with her example I have embodied a lot of her qualities! Read more>>
Ax Stinnett
I’ve struggled with depression and dark thoughts as much as anyone else, and I only made it through those hard times with the help and loving care of my friends. Every time I’ve been at my lowest, a friend was there with a smile and an outstretched hand to help pull me out of it. Now, I make it a priority to be that for them when they need it too. Read more>>
Dysheen Davis
I’ve been fortunate to receive positive feedback from friends, family, and even some of the photography community. Those encouraging words and constructive critiques have been really motivating. Plus, looking back at my past successes, whether it’s a well-received photo or a project that went well, it always gives me a boost of confidence and optimism. The Emotional connection is central to my photography. Read more>>
Kim Valentine
I’m grateful for your use of optimism here as opposed to positivity. To me, optimism makes space for the spectrum of emotions we have access to, while positivity demands we plaster a smile on our face to maintain an illusion of happiness that won’t offend the ‘good vibes only’ community. Read more>>
Kaila Pfister
I work at the Alaska Children’s Trust, a nonprofit with what some might say is an impossible mission: preventing child abuse and neglect. For me, working for an organization with such a critically important and somber mission requires boundless optimism. Our vision is an Alaska where every child grows up safe and happy, surrounded by caring adults. Read more>>
