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.
Lola Mormino
Growing up, I have struggled with many health obstacles ranging from cancer, to hip surgery, to being paralyzed for three weeks, to a heart condition causing my bpm to go up to 230+, auto immune diseases, to almost losing my life, the list goes on. Because of seeing nearly the end of my life, I felt that there was nothing I couldn’t work through, and everything is always achievable no matter what. Read more>>
Andy Kahrs
There is so much to be inspired by in the world. I try to look for the best in things, and I’m constantly amazed by everyday experiences – a beautiful song, a touching conversation with a friend, a colorful flower, or a stout old tree – it’s an amazing world we live in, and to participate in it is a gift. Read more>>
Delphyne Taylor
I truly believe my optimism comes from within. Yes, I just recently celebrated my 65th birthday in July, so I’ve been around awhile and hope to be around for many years. I’ve been through some thangs too, but I am sure you will have additional questions around my journey and optimism. Read more>>
Courtney Green
I have learned through contrast. When I am pessimistic and believe the worst will happen or see the worst in people, that is what I experience. When I am optimistic and believe the best will happen or see the best in people, that is what I experience. Read more>>
Violeta Barcenas
I got lucky. I’ve always had someone in my corner (my grandmother) who made sure that I saw things in perspective, looking at the positive side of things, even during some of life’s most pressing challenges. So my optimism comes from her and her lesson to work every day in choosing to see the glass half full. It is a choice after all. Read more>>
Anthony Newes
I would definitely point to my mom when it comes to my positive outlook on life. She’s eternally optimistic every step of the way. My dad is really good at rolling with the punches too. I just wasn’t raised to dwell on things that are out of our control. Read more>>
Richard Lyntton
As a child, I was very optimistic – so much so, that some used to think I was being sarcastic when I was just being cheerful and adventurous. Raised by a single mother and being an only child allowed me to use my imagination and sense of optimism and adventure to believe that anything was possible. Read more>>
Jennifer Lund
I think it comes from my family. They always taught me to stay positive and theres always an opportunity to turn things around, and i’ve made sure to apply that in all aspects of my life, and remember that in my business. When things get hard, I stay optimistic and think about things that I have already tried and things I have yet to try. Read more>>
Jo’el Steven Rouse
Definitely from a combination of things. Passion. Purpose. But at root, taking something that excites me or fundamentally gives me joy. Then believing I have a path and an ambition to see a journey through. In a nutshell, that’s been my sports media career. I was the 14 year old kid who realized I enjoyed the challenge of reliving and trying to articulate what I’d witnessed watching sports. Read more>>
Ankita Bhardwaj
A wise teacher once told me “there is always someone somewhere on this planet who is facing more problems than you are presently but they still choose to get up in the morning and move forward so why cant you”. These words have been registered in my mind since I was 15 and they keep me optimistic because there are so many people who have been less fortunate than I have been and I dont mean less fortunate monetary wise but situationally and they never gave up no matter what so how can I give up without giving my best and knowing that I did everything I could and tried my very best. Read more>>
Deanna Rashell
My optimism comes from a few sources, one thing I like to do is to reflect on my past wins, for example I will look back on all of the films I have completed, booked roles or jobs and even awards I have received. If I was featured along stars, I will look back at those times and briefly enjoy the moment again and validate my accomplishments, I find this gives me renewed energy towards my goals and helps to melt away the stops and barriers I am facing. Read more>>
Trissa Bouwhuis
For the most part, I have always had a positive outlook on life. I find that it is easier to look on the bright side of a situation than to dwell on the negative. I also hate to be sad (I mean, who does?). Growing up, I learned how to be resilient and optimistic for my own sake and my own sanity. I also have two little kids now and I want to share with them a positive outlook and life. Read more>>
Katie Kenagy
believe that much of a person’s ability to be optimistic truly comes from their surroundings & the people surrounding them. I think the source of my ability to be optimistic has originated from my husband. We married quite young & have been together for over 27 years. Our motto throughout our marriage has always been “you & me against the world”…as long as we have each other, we can conquer anything together. Read more>>
Rachel Brenowitz
In my teenage years, I struggled with regulating my emotions and even more so with containing them. I would allow frustration and anxiety to flow over and tamper with other parts of my life. The lightbulb clicked when a teammate and friend of mine pointed out that the frustration of making a bad play in a softball game would inevitably cause me to make more. Read more>>
Tk Gorgonia
I believe it may have originated from being surrounded by so much negativity. I tend to go against the grain when I can, and I think sometimes it’s easier to be pessimistic in tough situations. So my tendency is to push myself to see the bright side of things. Read more>>
Chelsea Nwasike
To me perception is everything, most especially self-perception. How I see myself in relation to achieving the goals I set out for myself. So when I appear optimistic, know that five times out of ten, it is a conscious effort to appear that way. Not because I want to project a facade but because I try to live by the Hermetic Principle of Mentalism, which states that for anything to be, a thought must precede it. Read more>>
Johnathan Brown
It comes from wanting to see the best in people. I try not to be the person who assumes people are all evil because I think people can be good and have good hearts. If you are good to somebody and show that person a smile, that smile might have just lightened their day. Now its just this continuous smile domino effect. It makes everyone happier. Read more>>
Jendia Gammon
Every day, we see or hear or read things that make us shake our head. We’re fed information through various filters, often to try to bring out reactions or motivate us, or worse, defeat us. I’m often told I’m an optimist, and I think generally that’s true. So where do I get it, in this age of bombardment of instantaneous comparison and competition? Read more>>
Declan C. Khan
In a nutshell my optimism directly relates to the “Law of attraction”; where I invest majority of my energy, interactions and good deeds into positive actions. In-turn, this “glass half full” approach has reaped fruitful rewards time and time again; gradually enhancing my optimistic vibe and aura overall. Being the driver of my own journey steering through many obstacles along the way I have been privy to the great feeling of being guided by genuinely good human beings and have always reminisced about the look on their faces seeing my growth as a creative and professional. Read more>>
Marina Daniluka
Optimism is either there or it’s not. Years ago I decided for myself that a bad mood is promiscuity and not permissible behavior. So I try to keep my optimism warm. I have one rule: why get upset about a situation if you can’t influence it. And if you can influence it, there’s no point in getting upset, but rather taking proactive action. It is forbidden to take offense. It is not good to get angry. Read more>>
Skitta Star
My positivity comes from GOD. I am a very spiritual person. Especially when I see people that can’t help themselves, I use that to motivate and to keep pushing. I had a down syndrome sister that made me want to help and care for others and stay positive. It made me realize that my heart has to stay warm. Read more>>
Dr. Kat Richardson
I am in a tough business. It’s not for the faint of heart. I have to deal with women that have been struggling to conceive for years, sometimes with multiple pregnancy losses. I deal with people in pain, mental illness, depression, and most commonly at their most vulnerable states. I won’t lie. Sometimes it’s hard to find the light. Read more>>
Levi Kirby
I always like to lead with gratitude. If I wake up and me and my family are healthy, it’s a good day. When you are purposeful about being grateful, it makes being optimistic quite easy. I simply focus on all of the things I have to be thankful for in my life whenever a challenge comes my way or pessimism starts to creep in. Read more>>
Rebecca Santo
My optimism comes from reconnecting to my childhood sense of imagination, and this helps immensely in my day-to-day work. When I began my creative journey in freelance, I was eager to take on projects and get my career rolling. But I quickly found that when freelancing, projects and income can fluctuate, especially in the beginning when still establishing an artistic voice. Read more>>
Yan Ling Weng
While I am now an optimist even in trying times, I used to assume the worst and center on the negatives until my late 20s. I had low confidence, felt ashamed and that I was not worthy enough. It was difficult for me to establish a trusting relationship and afraid to make commitment. My heart was closed. Read more>>
Monique Mosee-King
My survivor spirit and practice of focusing on good energy are what keeps me optimistic. I have many processes for staying positive and I teach others ultimate optimism. Being a working artist you must stay positive, because art is subjective and everyone has their own perception of what makes good art. So understanding that the souls you are meant to reach, you will. Read more>>
Jacob Vang
My wellspring of optimism derives from a fusion of personal drive, a clear sense of purpose, and an enduring belief in the inherent goodness of people and circumstances. I draw inspiration from the moments spent fishing, hunting, and cherishing quality time with friends and family, as these experiences contribute significantly to my personal growth. In these outdoor pursuits, I discover that each cast and shot becomes a life lesson, teaching me resilience and providing valuable insights for future endeavors. Read more>>
Ravie Junior
It comes from the belief that all people are good. We are only separated by our experiences and some of us have a harder time trusting and healing. So, it seems some are harder to reach than others. Spreading love and light to all through music helps us all get a little closer to happiness and joy. That alone, knowing this, makes it just a little easier. Read more>>
Amanda Huang
My optimism comes from my own purpose, my motivations and my downfalls. Read more>>
Cortland Jones
When I think about the subject of optimism I am reminded of an IG LIVE conversation I was having with a dear friend on Instagram who regarded being hopeful as being optimistic. I remember the explanation she gave resonating with me that has remained me since that talk that took place back in April or May of 2023. It is now September 2023 at the time I am writing this article. Read more>>
Isiah Davis
My optimism originates from my compassion for the development of humanity, even when other people don’t see it or even grasp the bigger picture of existence nurturing understanding and empathy becomes not just a choice but a noble imperative in our shared journey toward enlightenment and progress. I’m confident in the future despite others’ lack of awareness. Read more>>
Selma Martin
NUMBER 1 Read more>>
Jeniffer Flores
I guess I have to thank my mom, she has always reminded me that I could do anything I set myself to. Thanks to her I believe I’m capable, and because of that, I’ve had put myself in situations where I have to prove myself and successfully done it. I get this optimism in hopes for more. My optimism comes from hoping I will improve myself and hit other goals, each one bigger than the last one. And once in a while looking back at all the progress. Read more>>
CAYLEA
I honestly think it comes from two things. One is just part of who I am, almost like I literally cannot stop making music or a part of me might die inside. It’s that crazy of a drive. So I’m not entirely sure you can call that optimism – more like an insane determinism. The other thing is my faith. I know deeply that God made me to do this music thing, and I’ve seen doors open that shouldn’t have. It encourages me to keep going because you never know when the next door is. Read more>>
Kayla Anthony
Hmmm. . . .Growing up I have always been the kind of person that viewed everything from a positive lens; regardless of the situation I’ve always been hopeful. I was that person who saw the glass half full- no matter what. People would always tell me “Kayla, you are so optimistic” or “Kayla, you are always so positive” – I feel a huge part of my optimism comes from how I was raised and the support system my mom was for me. Read more>>
