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.

Saphyre Garrett

My optimism comes from my belief that life will never end in darkness for me. I am destined for beautiful, amazing things in this world, I just need to work a bit to get there. I feel like there is always the potential for beauty in the world, and that’s the energy I try to give out to myself and those around me. Read More>>

Kunmi Oni

My optimism comes from being deeply rooted in a joyful lifestyle—one where I’ve chosen to live lightly, without letting life’s twists and turns shake me. It’s not that challenges don’t come, but I’ve built a way of being that allows me to hold them with ease. I don’t carry everything like it’s life or death. I move through life anchored in joy, not outcomes. That’s what keeps me steady. Read More>>

Kajal Zaveri

My optimism is deeply rooted in nature. No matter what is happening in my life or generally in the the world, the natural world continues to offer moments of beauty, renewal, and quiet wisdom. A sunrise after a storm, the changing colors of the seasons, beautiful wildfower blooms springing up through the hard concrete, the calm and depth of the ocean, are such important reminders that nothing stays the same, and that each day carries the possibility of a fresh start.  Read More>>

Brandon Goldberg

Honestly, it’s something I have to work at, it doesn’t always come naturally. But I had a close friend, Alex, who was a constant reminder of the power of a positive mental attitude. No matter how tough things got, he believed in finding a reason to keep going, to keep your head up.

I carry that with me, literally. I have a tattoo on my left arm that says Excelsior from my favorite movie Silver Linings Playbook. For me, it’s a reminder to take pain, doubt, or setbacks and turn them into fuel Read More>>

Xiaomeng Zhang

My optimism is reflected in my works and life. But at first I often doubted it, I couldn’t understand what optimism would bring. But when I was a teenager, I came into contact with black humor in movies and games. The meaning it brought to me made me think repeatedly about how people adjust their mentality in difficult situations. Although black humor may be negative and represent indifference, for me it at least brings me a possibility. So in my works, I prefer to express more realistic and cruel things in a relaxed way. Read More>>

 Larissa Russell

There was a time when I believed pushing was the only way, if it was hard push harder. One foot in front of the other, but that only brought me depression and anxiety. I didn’t feel optimistic, I felt burdened. But I kept going because I had people who counted on me, whether it was my boss, my spouse, my kids, my friends. I kept going because they all needed me to. Read More>>

Rondell Meeks

I don’t think of myself as optimistic. What I am, is obsessively curious. I am disciplined. I take an almost athletic approach to the craft. I work a lot, so to make sure I have the energy I eat healthily and get plenty of rest, but I also need a lot of variety. I have lots of projects going at once so there’s never a dull day when I’m in the studio. Read More>>

Kris De La Torre

I would say I’m locally optimistic and globally hopeful. I have a strong sense of self-efficacy which has come from learning through doing. I believe in my ability to adapt and evolve to different situations, to practice and to improve and that by doing so, I have the power to positively impact my immediate surroundings. I know I’m good at connecting with people, finding common connections and weaving those strong networks of community care.This is a core belief and it allows me to remain optimistic about what lies ahead. Read More>>

Elaine

“I’ll bet you’ve never had a bad day in whole life.” I was an office manager at a wellness clinic years ago and a patient there once said that to me. I think it was meant as a compliment and it made me proud that that was the image I was projecting. Now I could have explained that wasn’t the case, but I just smiled and said nothing. I had just come off a few rough years that included losing my home, business and marriage. But I’m glad what they saw was a happy person. Read More>>

Olga Lucia Torres

I’m a brain injury survivor—I died, was resuscitated, and had to learn how to walk, talk, and take care of myself again. The event left me permanently disabled. I also live with multiple chronic illnesses, including lupus, asthma, and a pituitary tumor that causes hormonal imbalances.
My relationships with my healthcare providers have been strained, especially after my brain injury. Read More>>

Effeh Badu

I’d say my optimism comes from a combination of my faith, resilience, and purpose-driven mindset.

First and foremost, my faith plays a huge role. I really identify with Joseph in the Bible—no matter how deep you might feel in the pit, the Lord will raise you up and change your garment. That story speaks to me because it’s a reminder that tough situations are temporary and God can completely transform your situation. Read More>>

Courtney Anderson

I’ve always considered myself a “glass half full” type of person, always one to see the silver lining in any situation, and I’ve always thought I was quite the adaptable creature. I like to think I get it from my mother. She was always smiling and she had the most infectious laugh. Whenever I was bullied as a kid, her solution was to “kill ’em with kindness”.  Read More>>

Rachel Olivia Taylor

My optimism comes from years of self-motivation through progress with my emotional maturity. And therapy. Stick with me, we’ll get there.
8th grade Rachel was a little negative Nancy. I didn’t curse, or drink or do drugs, and art school teenage angst is apparently quite different from that of your typical 6th-12th grade school. Crushes and mean girls and a new history teacher cycling in almost every other week was more than enough for me. Read More>>

Maria Dowd

It begins with the fierce love and wisdom of my grandmother—a woman who had no tolerance for self-pity. Her philosophy was clear: either fix what’s broken, fix yourself, or fix both. That mindset taught me that optimism isn’t passive—it’s an active, creative force. It’s the fire that fuels my courage to course-correct, to lean into challenges with boldness, wisdom, and strategic grace. Read More>>