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.

Austin Baker

I know that I can do anything I put my mind to. When I was in college I opened and ran my own office for a sales organization. That summer, I finished 5th in the nation in sales. That earned me some company incentives and a lot of recognition. I felt as though I was on the top of the world. Doing that at the age of 19 gave me an early win in the business world and momentum that I felt I could carry on throughout life. Read more>>

Sabrina Williams

For me, optimism is a form of invisible practice, like some people think about faith. There is a saying that faith is a belief in things yet seen, and this is how I think about optimism. It involves thinking about the future without fearing it, and trusting in outcomes or realities that are not yet visible, despite what’s happening right now. Read more>>

HXZE

Just about everything I have in this world stems from skateboarding.
My sense of self worth, confidence, and my optimism are the things that keep me grounded in this chaotic world. Being a skater has taught me to stand out, while still being cool with every person Iv’e met. Read more>>

Luciana Romagnoli

I owe my optimism to my mother and my strong faith in God. My mom’s always had a very positive attitude and has taught me to see the glass half full instead of half empty. This is something that has stuck with me, especially throughout my entrepreneurial journey. Read more>>

Crystal Godette

My optimism comes from God. I always joke and say “I’m one of God’s favorites” and even though I joke about it, I believe it as well. Everything I pray for comes to pass. The things that seemed like they may not have worked out ended up working out for me. So with that, I stay optimistic even in days that it may be hard to do so. I believe that everyday I live in an answered prayer. Read more>>

Yasmine El-Azzeh

My optimism stems from ‘Optimus,’ Latin for ‘best.’ It is the same root word found in optimize and optimal. For me, optimism means continually optimizing circumstances to achieve an optimal state. It involves accepting what is without judgment to produce the best results under current conditions. Read more>>

ZIAH

My optimism stems from my faith and my determination to keep pushing, even through the valleys. My mother has been a constant symbol of strength and encouragement for me. Staying focused on my purpose is crucial, whether it’s in life or in my career. No matter what path you choose—music, architecture, or anything else—it’s important to remember why you chose it. Read more>>

T.W. Pilar

This is a hard topic, because I beleive that optimism comes in different forms; to be optimistic is to truly take the good with the bad, It’s a matter of faith, whatever that word means to someone, and understanding that everything has an ebb and flow. Didn’t get that job? Good. Lost a friend? Better off. Changed directions suddenly? Congratulations.  Read more>>

Rakee Chen

I’ve always been a person filled with passion for both life and work. My optimism stems from my ability to enjoy the present and live in the moment. When I started my own brand, I encountered many frustrating situations, such as a heavy workload and chaotic schedules. I had to balance my creative endeavors with the need to network and meet new people. Read more>>

grant wallace

Optimism in this current climate comes from people trying to do something to better help our planet. I’m a very small cog in the wheel for helping the climate crisis. Read more>>

Daniel Lir

If there’s one thing that doesn’t seem fair sometimes about life it’s that your attitude determines so much of your human experience and your outcomes. But on the other hand, this can also be said to be the best thing about life. Because I realized attitude is FREE and can be changed at any time. Read more>>

Leah Kershaw

My optimism comes with the knowledge that every day is a new day. With every new day comes a chance to rewrite my narrative, to learn from my missteps, and to forge a path toward a brighter future. My belief in the transformative power of new beginnings empowers me to approach challenges with resilience, setbacks with grace, and triumphs with gratitude.  Read more>>

Jenny Watson

As a child, my family frequented the city pool nearly every day. As the youngest of four kids, I would run around that pool like I owned the place and the lifeguards quickly nicknamed me “Happy Jenny”. A small bubbly blond headed child, my optimism was apparent to everyone I came in contact with. As an adult, that same optimism bleeds into literally everything I do.  Read more>>

Hillary Cohen

Our organization’s optimism stems from our mission, the belief that every person matters and inspiring daily action. EDA, along with Hillary and Sam, embodies a spirit of hope and positivity that is contagious. Despite the challenges and obstacles we may face, we remain steadfast in our conviction that every act of compassion and generosity has the power to make a difference in someone’s life. Read more>>

Casey Howard

I’ve always been a dreamer with hard work instilled in me from my parents. Those two traits seem to help tremendously in always being optimistic in life. The only way to achieve the big dreams I have has been through remaining completely optimistic and positive. All of these things work hand in hand. Read more>>

Omkar Huude

My optimism stems from a powerful combination of belief and spirituality. Choosing this field ignited a sense of self-confidence, and spiritually, I perceive a constant, supportive energy guiding me. This is the wellspring of my optimism. Read more>>

Suzanne Jamieson

My optimism comes from the constant practice of ‘looking for the good’ in life. It’s ultimately just a choice, what we choose to focus on, and when you’re looking for what went well, what is a blessing, what you’re grateful for, what is beautiful, you start to see it all around you. That’s not to say I don’t see the other stuff.  Read more>>

Tamera Anderson-Hanna

My quote is “may your smile be brighter than any obstacles you face.” I have worked in the counseling and substance abuse field for several years to support the journey of healing and growth of others. I believe in the power of learning from the journey of others for encouragement and inspiration. My personal journey has included coping with breast cancer and empowering myself during the journey. Read more>>

Sara Nasserzadeh

I embrace constructive and motivating optimism, grounded in reality rather than false hope or illusions. This belief is rooted in several influences: Firstly, my spiritual and existential perspective has taught me that life is a precious gift, urging me to live it to its fullest potential. Read more>>

Daniel Lopez

My entire life I have had this internal voice in my head that tells me that no-matter what happens, “it’s going to be okay”. A lot of it is self confidence. No matter what happens in my life, I trust my ability to figure things out. Read more>>

Priyanshi Jain

My optimism stems from a mixture of my passion for design and the positive impact I’ve witnessed through my work over the years. Each project has its own set of challenges, but overcoming these and seeing the transformation not only in spaces but in how individuals interact with these redesigned environments is significantly fulfilling. Read more>>

DM Hood

From a very young age I participated in competitive sports; I played baseball and soccer in school, but basketball was my love. I received a full scholarship to play basketball at a small college in Massachusetts. After my playing days ended, I took up coaching as a way to stay connected to the game I loved.  Read more>>

kayleen Berry

I’ve always been an optimistic and bubbly person by default, but I think I’ve taken inspiration from animals and nature, as silly as that might sound. I see the world in such a vibrant way, whether that is seeing the goodness in the people I meet or finding the silver lining when things don’t really go as planned.  Read more>>

Claire Eisel

I have a lot of faith in the universe and a higher power, and I feel very close to a higher power all the time. I feel very supported by the universe, and I have had intuition that I followed, which paid off. I felt very guided to pursue music and other arts! I am very happy with and grateful for my journey so far. I know and believe that I can make my career in music and the arts work, and I have thus far!  Read more>>

Scott Knudsen

My optimism comes from life lessons watching people ahead of me within my family and mentors watching my wife and now my daughter. It is so much harder to live life in a negative manner even when everything is coming against you that has to be optimistic.  Read more>>

Dane Giordano

My optimism comes from the celebration of the unknown. There is always something to understand, to learn from and to experience. The goal is to forever be learning, so the unknown can be nothing but optimistic. Read more>>

Caylie & Lawson Latimer

Our optimism comes from a conscious effort to stay present and appreciate the life we have. Of course, like everyone else, we have our tough days. It’s not always easy to choose optimism, especially during challenging times. However, we find that making this choice, even when it’s difficult, is far more rewarding. Read more>>

Ishan

Humanistic thoughts and ideas are all over controlled by our minds. The powerful weapon which can bring generations the best messages, the best innovation and emotions controlled by hearts tend to make up Optimism. Read more>>

Liora Redman

My optimism comes from within, by being fully present in every moment and embracing gratitude. I’ve learned through my practice that I don’t need to wait for things to be perfect or for my desires to be fulfilled. Instead, I focus on the here and now, finding beauty even in the darkest moments.  Read more>>

Daniel Cloyd

For us, we always reinstate and reiterate our goals in our meetings. It’s our form of affirmation, or our acting out of the Bible axiom “faith comes by hearing”. We visualize and we believe what we can do and what we can get done. With our minds reminded of our goal we stay focused and motivated. And our goal is so big that it makes us optimistic and forward moving. Read more>>

Mark Nichols

My optimism stems from my realism — by that I mean, I don’t approach situations or challenges with the mindset of unrestrained positivity, i.e. the perspective of “this is going to undoubtedly work out or everything will go great” but instead from the resigned recognition that the challenge ahead may have setbacks and may not unfold as I plan or would like, but the lost opportunity of not doing it or not taking the chance isn’t one I am willing to give up. Read more>>