Where does your optimism come from?

Optimism is the invisible ingredient that powers so much of the incredible progress in society – from entrepreneurs and investors to artists and creatives who believe in something and are optimistic enough to risk their time, money, and reputation. We asked some of the most optimistic folks we know where they think they get their optimism form.

Jim Baudino

You could say that I’m an optimist by nature, by nurture, and by choice. My natural inclination towards connecting with others, much like my mother, creates a foundation of positive interactions. Her constant smile, kind words, and genuine interest in others instilled in me the belief that building relationships fosters a positive outlook and a strong sense of community. Read more>>

Steven Pugliese

My optimism is fueled by a combination of factors. Firstly, I draw strength from the resilience of the human spirit. History is filled with stories of individuals and communities overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges, which serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope. Read more>>

R.F. Tres

My optimism comes from always not being scared to fail or embarrassing myself. I’ve always had the thought in my mind of “what’s the worst that could happen?”. You have to have that mentality when you’re pursuing a goal or dream, especially in music. There’s no room for pessimism. Read more>>

Danya Risam-Chandi

When I started The Girls’ Wellness Initiative, I was not sure of how far it would go, if we would receive enough support, or even if the project could survive at all. My community proved me wrong though. From the minute I started reaching out to people to create this organization, I have received a groundswell of support. Read more>>

Jane Maulucci

I didn’t know there was another choice! I am the youngest of six, and it was a matter of survival to be a happy, smiling kid because nobody likes a crybaby! Read more>>

Chris Bonilla

I am a mixed media artist, and mom. My pieces are usually hand-painted and or collage. They’re always inspired by nature. My work is an expression of the joy and peace nature gives us. My mother is very creative. There was no separation between nature and creativity in our home, we were always making things from nature and listening to nature. Read more>>

Anahi Abe-Brower

I often call myself an unshakable optimist because it is almost impossible for me NOT to focus on the good. Is like my mind has a default setting to look for what is beautiful, what is the positive side or what the opportunity is. I have been an optimist for as long as I can remember. Read more>>

Crystal Elyse

My optimism comes from fully surrendering to the Most High. I finally found my purpose. I finally got on the alignment, that is only for me! When I finally started back painting, it was a reminder that this was where I belonged! Painting is my safe space for happiness. Read more>>

Diana Del Terzo

My optimism stems from a pivotal moment in my life when I had to make a difficult decision back in Ecuador due to political reasons involving my father. Arriving in the US, I faced immense challenges; transitioning from being a tourist to a resident was daunting. Initially, I felt alone, without friends or guidance, constrained by the delicacy of my family situation.  Read more>>

Paul Daniels

A lot of my optimism comes from wanting to better myself in every chance I get. I’m a firm believer that as much as it’s okay to be aware and criticize yourself, it should be done in a healthy manner. I find that it’s easy for people to get lost in negativity that keeps them more stagnant than anything else. Read more>>

Katia Mahea Damazo

I believe my optimism comes from a place where being optimistic didn’t once exist. It was difficult to be optimistic in certain situations in life, yet looking at the larger picture you can only control what you can control and the rest is out of your control so why stress.  Read more>>

Sneha Jhanb

I have been in the bottom many times :when I broke my right femur in a car accident, when I lost my gall bladder, when someone broke my heart, when I moved places, when I was misunderstood in social circles, when I decided to leave my job behind to start entrepreneurship and then go back to corporate career again.  Read more>>

Topher Horn

Producing music and composing for film, television, and advertising can be deeply rewarding but comes with its fair share of rejection and disappointment. Projects dying and pitches not being selected are everyday occurrences, and even projects that do work out favorably are often very challenging and carried out in isolation.  Read more>>

Mel Lim

From the earliest moments of my childhood in Penang, Malaysia, I harbored a profound sense that my life was destined to be significant. As a wide-eyed 5-year-old, a “BIG life” meant one I could mold according to my dreams and aspirations. Read more>>

Alice Marie Perreault

Between nature and nurture, optimism feels more like my nature, but it wasn’t nurtured in my younger life. My mother pointed out the worse in things and people. She lived with bi-polar disorder with extreme bouts of highs and lows. She said I wore rose-colored glasses. I didn’t understand what that meant. Read more>>

Kay Tam

My optimism comes from my faith in myself. When I was a kid, I always wanted to do new things. I never hated anyone or got jealous that they got to do something I didn’t get to do. In my mind, I wondered how I can do that too and tried to get that same opportunity. I put the results in my hands. Of course, it’s easier said than done.  Read more>>

McKenzie Victory

Honestly, I haven’t always been in the best circumstances I grew up with family issues and always felt a little different from other people around me. But no matter what has happened to me in my life i’ve always gone with the positive side of things at the end of the day. I realized as a young child that making the best of what you have is always the right answer. Read more>>

Olivia MacDonald

Optimism to me is a choice. It’s a choice to be grateful for every little thing we have, who we are, and that we’ve been given this life, no matter the hardships, no matter how horrible this world can be. Read more>>

Jennifer Cramer-Miller

While I was growing up, my father modeled an optimistic approach to life, and I paid attention. He used a worry-reduction technique, effective for him as a builder, because he had to withstand many economic ups and downs in the volatile construction industry. His strategy was to accept the possibility of failure to clear the way for success. Read more>>

Michael Betzner

I find my optimism comes from the belief that everything happens for a reason. And everything will work out the way it’s supposed to. I work hard and strive for certain goals but if that’s not meant for me the universe will point me in a new direction. And that’s ok with me. Read more>>

Jules Downum

I’ve loved to joke that I’m very optimistic because I’m very naive! It’s a joke, but not totally untrue. I am easily excited by big ideas and I believe in them so much I usually think, “how can it NOT work?” I also am very comfortable with process and adaptation. So I know that things will probably end up looking a bit differently than I first imagined, but that as long as I keep going it will work out one way or another. Read more>>

Ingrid Cucchi

I wear my optimism as a badge of honour and its only in recent years I’ve realised just how much of a gift it is. My mum was a shining light and I like to think I got it from her. I also see it as a measure of my resilience. It is deeply ingrained in who I am. Read more>>

Kimaya Joshi

My optimism comes from seeing people able to live the life they want to live. It’s hard to live freely if their health is not where they want it to be. That’s where I come in. I help simplify the big, wide world of food to fit their medical concerns so they can go back to doing the things they love.  Read more>>

Antonis Synodinos

The truth is that I have never been a really optimistic person, but since I started my business, I have found myself to have a strong feeling of faith to the future. Probably it comes from the fact that this is my last chance to create the life I want, in the way I want. Plus, my family believes strongly in me, so I take a lot of strength and optimism from that. Read more>>

Dominic Aris Bertumen

You are the writer of your own story. The one factor in this world that continues even after we have fully rested is time, and within this opportunity of life, we have the ultimate decision on how we want to spend that. Creating the life that I want to live will always be my main priority. Read more>>

Zaire Bankhead

My optimism comes from my mother. She is a positive influencer. She has the most inspiring, encouraging and motivational messages that make you want to excel at anything you set your mindset too. Since then I have always been a positive and optimistic individual.  Read more>>

Cynthia Morales Irwin

As corny as it sounds, I deeply believe in the power of positive thinking and manifestation. Manifestation is about trusting in yourself and your ideas and emotions to create a desired result. By using positive thinking and taking inspired action, you make whatever outcome you want your reality.  Read more>>

Brett Ngawaka

“I am a firm believer in the power of optimism and positivity, and I try to embody these qualities in my own life. I am passionate about sharing this mindset with others and helping them to see the benefits of self-development. Read more>>

Brock Harris

“For myself, I am an optimist—it does not seem to be much use being anything else.” — Winston Churchill. When people tease me about my positive nature, I often feel a sense of pride because I know that’s not the whole of my nature. Like most people, I have doubts and anxieties that plague me regularly. I’ve also experienced many failures and disappointments.  Read more>>

Julia Franklin

My optimism comes from a life of unexpected adversity and working to find the silver lining in tragedy, set back, and obstacles. From the death of my father when I was a teenager to career changes and so much more, I realized there is always hope and someone there to help – if you have the courage to ask and receive it.  Read more>>

Jessica Bishop

I’ve always had a strong sense of hope. From a young age, my family gave me a great deal of positive reinforcement and encouragement. I was taught to believe I was capable of achieving any dream I set my mind to and that keeping a positive outlook and having faith in something bigger would help me along the way. Read more>>

Kelly

I think one of the most human characteristics is the ability to feel joy and pain at the same time. Of course, it’s always easier to feel optimistic when things are joyful, but finding optimism even on the challenging days is where I’ve really experienced the most impactful growth and resilience.  Read more>>

Raquel Muller

Since I was a child I’ve had a cheery disposition, perhaps inherited from and modeled after my mother and grandmother. I’ve also experienced positive results and responses from having an optimistic attitude, which has also served to reinforce this. Read more>>

A. Pāj Turner

Once I understood the power of manifestation and how important positive thoughts behind what you are manifesting, it made it easier to transition to optimism in every situation I encounter. I look for the positives in every outcome regardless of the outcome. Below is how I cultivate optimism. Read more>>

Kiara Burnett

I’ve always been hopeful and confident in any situation I have been faced with in life. Believing and knowing in due time everything will work out the way it should. Choosing to be positive will outweigh all the negative things that transpire in life everyday.  Read more>>