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.
Destinee Cordova
My optimism stems from my personal journey of overcoming severe anxiety and depression about 3-4 years ago, which severely hindered my ability to express myself, experience freedom, and feel like my authentic self. However, through time, I have managed to cultivate self-confidence and resilience, both as a woman and as a business professional. Having gone through such challenging experiences, I’ve developed a profound sense of gratitude for the blessings, both big and small, in my life. Moreover, being able to perceive the inherent goodness in the world and embrace a positive outlook, while acknowledging the role of faith or spirituality, has further deepened my happiness and optimism. Read More>>
Noah Frimer
As a person, I know that smiling, being positive, and bringing good energy everywhere you go is one of the best things you can do, not only for yourself, but for everyone around you as well. That’s why I always aim to be the most positive, happiest person in every room I go into. Because I know that by doing so, I am keeping myself motivated, happy, and able to enjoy life to the best of my ability, but also I am raising the energy and positivity of everyone else I interact with. Read More>>
Jonathan Mansour
I started boxing at the age of 8 years old when I ditched a pool party to join my uncle and cousin at the boxing gym to go get a workout in. Once I arrived to the gym I headed straight to the weights and workout machines, then that’s when my uncle Jack pulled me over and told me to sit down and watch others boxing. At the time I was frustrated because I was eager to break a sweat at such a young age, but it all made sense when I realized I fell in love with the sport of boxing. I knew right then and there that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I then went into the gym the very next day, and never missed a day since. Read More>>
LaPorcha Whitfield
I think I have learned to be optimistic because I came from little. I’ve learned to stay positive and what you put out there will come back to you 10x. I have a lot of hope for anything I do. I hope things go well, or I hope something works out. The more we pour into negativity, that puts you into a box of being a pessimist. I don’t want to be negative. I want to be a light to the world. I want to give hope to people and restore faith. I didn’t have anyone to pour positivity into me, so I want to be the change. I have also learned that you will either get a yes or a no in life. No matter what we’re told we should never not try or ask. Read More>>
Meg Stolt
I learned to be optimistic from my mom and my grandmother. Both were groundbreakers for women in this world. My grandmother was one of the first women to acquire a mortgage, and she raised three children on her own. Her husband died when my mom was seven. My mom taught science and math, a seemingly male-dominated field at the time. I guess with it, I learned that it could be an uphill battle. While sometimes life and events seem challenging, both taught me that if you want something you have to go get it. Work towards achieving it. Read More>>
Garrett Holloway
My optimism comes from two sources. The guys in the band and the people who support our music. I feel very blessed to share the stage with the other 4 guys in the band. There are times during soundcheck or when I am headed to the rehearsal room, and I can hear the rest of the band playing without me and think…. “I would go see that band live”. I am proud to say that I am a part of THAT band and I can’t wait to see what things we can achieve together. As with all bands we would be nothing without the people who support us. Read More>>
Chris Hernandez
Mostly from appreciating where I came from, what I’ve got, and all the times I could have lost everything. My grandparents were all migrant farmworkers during the Depression, and as far as I know none even made it to high school. My parents’ generation was the first to have high school graduates but my parents married at 18, started having kids right away, and struggled for most of their lives. Read More>>
Cheyenne Pajardo
I believe that optimism is a choice! Human beings have the privilege of choice. We are fortunate enough to choose what we want to wear, want to eat, want to think, and ultimately how we want to feel. Is everyday going to be a walk in the park and go exactly as expected? Absolutely not. BUT! We have the choice in deciding how we are going to react to that. Will we decide to be upset, have an attitude, and sulk? Or will we decide to acknowledge it kind of sucks, find the silver lining, and make the most of it? Read More>>
Melissa Lampugnano
My optimism comes from my passion to sustain and grow Jacksonville Business Connections. I have loved working with hundreds of businesses in the community over the last 10 years and giving businesses the opportunity to connect with the local Northeast Florida communities through events and our marketing. Read More>>
Ulrik Christian Ahlefeldt-Laurvig
For me, the importance of optimism for artists is nurturing a positive mindset. As an artist, it can be challenging to maintain a positive mindset when dealing with stress, creative blocks, and a lack of sales. However, cultivating optimism is essential for overall well-being and can help you stay motivated and productive. So, nurturing a positive mindset and finding inspiration, even during difficult times, is vital for me to become a more optimistic and resilient artist. Read More>>
Rehan Jalali
Collin Powell once said that perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. My optimism comes from my father who always looked at the good in everything. It comes from my spirituality and belief in God. It comes from the inner belief that in any situation I either win or learn. There is no failure and no loss. Having an optimistic perspective is a life altering attitude. It’s critical to success. Read More>>
David Hathaway
I think it’s important for entrepreneurs to be optimistic. It’s not always easy, but it’s essential for success. Optimism gives you the drive to keep going, even when things are tough. A friend of mine has a chart/meme of the ups and downs of being a small business entrepreneur and it sure rings true. The ups are significant, but the downs are as well. If you can’t remain optimistic, it will ruin you and your dreams. It also helps you to see the opportunities that are out there, and to take risks. Read More>>
Kelly Joy
I am not really sure exactly where my optimism came from. Because as kid some not so great things happened to me, and as a result of that traumatic experience, I developed a crippling eating disorder, that hospitalized me and almost killed me when I was age 10. It was so bad that I was in and out of hospital for the next 5 years. I struggled with my eating well into my 20s, when it then turned into pretty severe anxiety and a lot of self-hatred. Read More>>
Jelena Jemi Miladinovic
My optimism comes from a belief that every goal can be accomplished easier when being optimistic. Also, I think that being optimistic opens new doors in both personal and professional life. In general I look positively towards life and being optimistic in situations that were life changing helped me overcome the difficulties and helped me believe I was doing a right thing. Read More>>
Steve Bernal
Growing up in inner city Houston during the 70s was rough. I was very sensitive, yet precocious. I had to toughen up fast, and my sensitivity and awareness were my tools. My inner life was occupied with art and music at an early age, and that’s where my optimism hid while dealing with the harder world outside. Read More>>
Tayler Joi
My optimism comes from knowing where I want to be in the future. I’ve always been positive about my future and have known I was going to be successful. Read More>>
Abioduni Martin
My younger self has always been optimistic… Growing up for me wasn’t an easy way of living; however, I have always been able to turn lemons into apples. I’ve always been a forward thinker and curious about the future. Education played a big role in my optimism and curiosity. Reading books was my escape from my reality. I was able to dream and explore new ways of thinking by just reading a book. Books took me to faraway places; I never could have imagined visiting. In my findings, I discovered that flying like Peter Pan only takes one happy thought. The moment I was able to achieve that thought was when all the doors in heaven opened. Read More>>
Aimee Santana
What is funny is that I’ve always been an optimistic. For me, I’m an over thinker. I’m constantly trying to plan out things or problem-solving in my mind. And coming up with random scenarios for each situation. Because of that sometimes I have to remind myself dark rain clouds get heavy. That is why they rain. The rain is only temporary, the pain the struggle is only for right now. You have to move forward. Read More>>
Ashlyn Davis
From my early childhood, I’ve had a keen connection with my intuition, even when I chose not to pay attention to it. I was able to feel and perceive within my heart & mind that all would be well for me, that I would receive the love and success that I desired. I had faith, and I continued in my faith even in the darkest times for me mentally & emotionally. My optimism comes from this faith, from knowing that I’m not alone, knowing that I am here for a purpose, that I deserve to flourish, and that all is provided for me in the timing and placement that is truly meant to be. By choosing to have this perspective, it is easy to be optimistic. Read More>>
Madison Bixler
I believe that optimism is something that I choose to put effort and reassurance in everyday. It’s not naturally easy to be optimistic for me, but it’s something that is so important to me and my career choices. You have to address the pessimistic thoughts and figure out why they’re there and how we can work a positive outcome from them. I have always had the thought process of- if you want something bad enough, you’ll do anything to make it happen. Read More>>
Patrick (PJ) Gruetzmacher
I learned when I was a child facing adversity, I had to learn how to turn lemons into lemonade otherwise life would have been pretty bleak. Additionally, I was surrounded by people who lived their life by always saying “no” or “it can’t be done” or talking down to me.
I realized I could have been a victim but chose rather to be a conqueror of my own destiny and I wouldn’t let anything hold me back or anyone. Read More>>
XOË MILES
I’ve always been an extremely optimistic/happy person. Even as a kid, people would tell my mom “there’s no way she’s THAT happy all of the time” because I was always smiling… I really am, and always have been, an overall positive person I guess! Read More>>
Tracy Rowe
I get my optimism from first knowing who I am and more importantly, knowing Whose I am. I come from a family of believers, and that has given me the foundation to know anything is possible. As I grown older, I realize that each trial or test is meant to make me better and stronger. It’s more than a “glass-half full” perspective; it’s really more about knowing in spirit that things are meant to work out for me. Read More>>
