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.

Laura Shepard

I’d say my optimism is something I’ve learned and nurtured over time. I’ve realized there’s no sense in stressing over things we can’t control because, more often than not, everything tends to work out in the end. Read more>>

J.robert Houghtaling

“Somehow we made it this far…we always have and we always will.”

My great-grandmother Lizzy and her generation of Americans were known to have overcome immense political, economic, and personal turmoil, being born in the late 1870’s in rural Florida.

Her optimism would account for several inquiries on your questionnaire such as “where I got my sense of generosity, inner strength, modes of survival, or necessary work ethic.

Her generation and her children’s children have drawn themselves out of bed each and every day of their lives only to take on one challenge at a time…one step at a time…nothing more, nothing less. Read more>>

Kaitlyn Boyer

My optimism stems from a deeply held belief that there’s never a perfect time to tackle a challenge, and every challenge we face shapes us into better, more resilient humans. I’ve learned that embracing difficulties, even when the odds seem insurmountable, is where true growth happens. I learned this from a mentor of mine: Each failure isn’t a setback but a source of data—teaching us what to do next and what pitfalls to avoid. Read more>>

Vicky Sepulveda

It takes more energy being negative. So I choose to look on the bright side things. Being positive and choosing the high road is where I live. I used to be on a radio show in Austin, Tx our theme was “All Things Positive”

Think about it … wasting time on negative thoughts, on people or things that don’t matter,. It is time you will never get back. Choose the sunshine even if you are not feeling it. After a few minutes you will see the bright rays! Make it a good day change your perspective and it will change your life! Read more>>

Tiara Bryant

My optimism is rooted in gratitude—I’m a gratitude enthusiast and joy advocate, and I infuse this mindset into everything I do at Royal Treatment with Tiara. Even my signature closes with “In Gratitude.” With a background in healthcare, I’ve worked as a unit clerk, patient tech, patient advocate, and case manager supporting people in some of life’s most challenging moments, from oncology patients to individuals overcoming addiction post-incarceration. After years of guiding people through trauma and transition, I’ve grown so much gratitude for life and felt called to bring my vibrant, authentic energy to moments of love, joy, and new beginnings. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in the wedding industry is that the only way to stand out in a sea of sameness is to lean into your uniqueness. A wedding coach once told me to make my holistic mindset an imprint on my business—not just in how I serve my couples, but in how I engage with vendors and run my company. So now, gratitude is embedded in my signature client experience.  Read more>>

Shanna Salt

I would say my optimism comes from my supportive family. I am so lucky to have parents that are always there to root me on. My grandma is also one of my biggest fans. Read more>>

Kanysha

Honestly, I have to fight for it.

I’ve always been a dreamer. I was that little kid who ran around the playground making up songs and pretending to be on stage, I made a girl group with my friends in elementary school and fully took on the pop star persona (despite being 10 years old and having no idea what that meant). The dream was (and is) boldly imprinted in my mind, and I’ve been committed to it my entire life. Read more>>

Traviz Lee

My optimism comes from a deep love for life and storytelling. I try to live every day to the fullest and make time to explore new things. Growing up in Memphis, my family taught me the importance of supporting each other, and that’s shaped how I approach life. I care deeply about the people around me and try to bring positivity to every situation. Acting has also taught me to see life from different perspectives, which makes me appreciate its beauty even more. I’m determined, independent, and know what I want in life, so even when things get tough, I stay focused on the bigger picture. Read more>>

Carol Schneider

Optimism is woven into my daily life, though I didn’t fully recognize it until I began my career in corporate America. I’ll never forget when my first boss told me, “You are the most positive person I know.” When I started my career, I was an interior designer, but I saw myself as more; not only the designer of the projects I worked on, but the designer of my own world. That shift in perspective sparked my optimism. I wanted my life to be fulfilling and beautiful, and that drive to shape my own world is what keeps my optimism alive. Read more>>

Meshanda King

My optimism comes from embracing the dualities in life. As the creator of DualityClique, I see every piece I create and every item I offer as a reminder that even in the hardest times, there’s always room for expression, a little magic and possibility. Read more>>

Vic Moss

Life is too short to be pessimistic. I often refer to myself as the eternal optimist. There is no doubt there are times it’s backfired, but never critically, and never catastrophically. I’d much rather go through life expecting the best outcome than worrying about what “might” happen. Prepare for any possible outcome, but direct your energies to the best outcome.

I also expect the best out of everyone I meet unless they give me a reason not to. Read more>>

Whitney Nichole

My optimism comes from a deep-rooted belief that anything I dream of is possible. This belief has been with me since I was young, even when I didn’t quite understand its power. Growing up, I was told that pursuing music wasn’t a “real” career and that I should aim for something more conventional—like being a doctor or a lawyer. I internalized that message for a while and even went to Yale with plans to follow that path. But when I found myself working in a law firm, prepping for the LSAT, I realized I was chasing someone else’s version of success, not my own. Read more>>

Kimberly Lim

My optimism largely stems from my upbringing—my mom always emphasized that there is always a solution, even if it’s not immediately obvious. This instilled in me the belief that challenges are just opportunities in disguise. Additionally, I’ve always embraced the idea that the cup is half full, not half empty. This positive outlook not only shapes my personal life but also fundamentally guides how I approach challenges and opportunities in my business. It encourages me to innovate and remain hopeful, even in tough times. Read more>>

Meili Cady

I get a lot of my optimism from my parents. They’ve always approached life with kindness and generosity, and that’s had a big impact on me. My dad has this steady optimism that’s taught me to look for possibilities even when things don’t go as planned. My mom brings an energy and enthusiasm that reminds me how much there is to appreciate in everyday life. I’ve come to realize that optimism is really about perspective. When you look for the good, you’re more likely to find it. Read more>>

Carine Merritt

My optimism comes from deeply understanding that everyday isn’t going to be easy. I understand that the only way to appreciate the good is to go through the bad. Life is about balance. Taking the good with the bad. Everything that happens to us is a part of the journey. We are all meant to grow and evolve and experience new things. Good and bad. I’ve always viewed the world differently. I always look for the good in all people, places and things. Optimism isn’t about being happy all the time, that is literally impossible, being optimistic is choosing to see the good in all things and not allowing anything to keep you down. Always believe something good is about to happen. Read more>>

Liset Garcia

Optimism comes from a family and group of friends that lends themselves to helping me achieve my goals. I have surrounded myself with individuals that accept good or bad outcomes and remain humble and optimistic for a better tomorrow. It’s also easier to be optimistic when the people around you see challenge as an opportunity for change or redirection to a realm that might not have been imagined had the challenge not occurred. Read more>>

Skylee Edmiston

Age definitely plays a role. As you get older, you start to realize that, no matter what life throws at you, you’re going to be just fine—it’s like an unshakable inner groove you develop over time.

And honestly, when you’ve faced a lot of challenges growing up, it builds this resilience that keeps you from sweating the small stuff as an adult. You’ve already danced through the tough beats, so you don’t lose your rhythm as easily. Read more>>

Taquala Woods

Hi, everyone. I am Taquala, founder of Business Workshop LLC.I would like to say that my optimism comes from my mind and my way of thinking. I do not believe the sky is the limit, I think that often places limitations on our growth.
I believe everyone has the ability to be limitless. I always believe that there is something positive in everything we think from our ideas, business plans, and personal goals.
My optimism seems to come from my deep sense of my purpose and resilience. I’ve faced many challenges, yet I have turned those experiences into a driving force for change and success. I have the ability to transform my personal struggles into solutions for others. Read more>>

Jonathan Reyes

I grew up with a single Mom in a low-income neighborhood. As a child/adolescent my Mom shielded me from the “real world”. As a kid I never had full exposure to situations or individuals that would expose me to limiting belief. As i grew older in middle school and high school I realized how many of my peers grew up and/or were exposed to people and situations they shouldn’t have been. Read more>>

Sarah Asifa Nimalan

This is a question I get asked quite often and my answer is simple – my faith in Jesus Christ. Through following Him, I’ve learned to see the bigger picture and trust in the greater plan for my life. It truly is about perspective and choosing to view every situation with a calm mindset. In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, it is important to find your center and return to a peaceful and hopeful place, allowing things to unfold naturally. Read more>>

Angel Bandong

My optimism comes from my passion and dedication for my art. There’s been countless times, possibly every other day, where I get anxious, doubtful, or way over in my head about my creations. But I can never find myself quitting or stopping because of how much joy and purpose my art brings me. The ups and downs, the stagnation, is all part of the journey. It’s inevitable, it happens to us all creators out there. You can’t avoid it from happening, or control it, but you can choose how you react and feel about it. As long as we’re excited to create, there’s no reason to doubt or stop ourselves. Read more>>

Trevor Young

I believe that the world, as a whole, is a great place. In order to sustain a world for all of the future generations, we need to all make slight shifts in our consumerism. At Bloop, we developed the first laundry soap that is luxury scented, eco-friendly, and safe to use for humans. If everybody made a small percent shift in being better to themselves and the environment, we can have a more sustainable future. Read more>>

Alonsa Guevara

When I think about optimism, I think of my mother and the constant light that shone through her, even in the darkest places. And there were many! My family moved a lot when I was younger, leaving behind familiar faces and stepping into places where everything felt foreign. We crossed borders and moved from town to town, switching schools more than eight times. Each move was a reset—a new rhythm, a new way of communicating, a new version of myself forming in response to my surroundings. It was hard and scary at times, but I was taught from a young age to find the bright side. Read more>>

Gourav Gola

I believe it comes from within. When you’re doing what you love, you don’t have to search for motivation or positivity—they naturally follow. One of my favorite quotes perfectly captures this:

“Try and fail, but don’t fail to try.” Read more>>

Bradley Corso

for me, optimism isn’t pretty or happy sunshine. optimism is an absolute truth in relation to human potential. the future will come, and if we are able and willing, the weight of our choices can bring us truly outstanding things. Read more>>

Karolina Aguilar

Oh, my optimism? It’s probably just a mix of seeing potential in everything and a natural tendency to focus on the good stuff. I guess it’s all about looking at challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than obstacles. Plus, there’s always something positive to find, even in tough situations. It just feels better to keep the vibes up. How about you? Do you consider yourself an optimist too? Read more>>

Elena Agaragimova

If I take it way back, I think it comes from my parents. Both my mom and my dad are the most resilient people I know. Having grown up in a communist Russia, both of them lived under the soviet rule, where tomorrow is not promised and people tend to live day by day. With that, they managed to be the most optimistic people I know, particularly my dad. When I was growing up, I watched him go from failure to failure without giving up, and always keeping his head up. Same with my mom, I watched her lose family members, move countries, struggle to find work, and much more – yet maintaining optimism through it all. Optimism that the future is still there and it is bright; optimism that no matter what happened, it is just part of life’s seasons and a better season will come.  Read more>>