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.
Kang Kim
The fact that I live in the greatest country on the planet. It’s not perfect, and there’s a lot of concern right now on which way our great nation is headed, but it’s still the US of A. The opportunities available to me and any other hard-working individual is second to none. My father moved here from Seoul, South Korea with that in mind and worked his butt off to achieve the American Dream. Read more>>
Heather Sloan En Wei Li
Both Li and I have some strong spiritual roots and in times of difficulty we often turn inward or to those who can help guide us better spiritually to stay positive, even if things are looking not so pretty. Read more>>
Lindsay Cooley
I believe that my initial optimism came from my amazing, supportive parents. For as long as I can remember they have always pushed me to go for my dreams and have supported every one of them, big and small. Read more>>
Krystal Yates
Optimism is a choice. Most of my clients are going through a rough patch in their business or career. When you hit an obstacle, you have a choice, you can give up or push through it. When you watch people overcome their challenges repeatedly, a pattern becomes clear. Optimistic people get farther, faster. Read more>>
Theo Skudlark
Capturing Hope and Beauty: Finding Optimism in Photography Read more>>
Qua T
It all comes from everything I’ve made it through, it started from my family and how I was brought up, the good and the bad there has always been a positive outlook. Just learning to understand that my perspective is very important for how I go about my life. It’s a routine I’ve built within. Read more>>
Mark Vettraino
The short answer to your question is my faith. As a physician, I have witnessed wellness and illness at all levels. I’ve seen people get well that they should not have and die without reason. The one thing that is true and indisputable is wellness consists of three equal components: the mind, the body, and the soul. Read more>>
Billy Byrd Sr.
My optimism comes from the Lord. I have been through a lot in my life and I have only been able to be successful because of the faith that I have found in Jesus. Read more>>
Valarie Joy Winkleman
Amidst life’s challenges, I have always considered myself an optimistic individual. Always seeing the glass half full knowing I can keep filling it….overflowing my life with joy even in the low points. I am a firm believer life will continue to challenge you, the only thing about life that remains consistent is the fact that it is always changing– we are always changing. Read more>>
Kara Gordon
I am often described as a ‘glass-half-full’ kind of girl. More often than not, I am able to see the silver lining in every circumstance, and give that shimmery lining the credit it deserves. When people hurt me, or when circumstances bring me pain of any kind, instead of focusing on those negatives, I immediately search for and find the silver lining to focus on. Read more>>
Ro Johnson Richardson
Failing. Contrary to what it is believed, failure teaches you how to win. Most people feelings are hurt and they want to give up because failure in the mind of most means defeated. Delayed not denied. Read more>>
Ryan Dills
Well, first off- it’s better than the alternative. But truthfully, I simply try to be mindful of the energy I put off while also reading the room to ensure I’m adding positivity rather than negativity towards others and/or a particular situation. Read more>>
Sonya Peacocke
My optimism is a gift from God. Read more>>
Henry Han
My optimism emerged from the pandemic era. Before the pandemic, I was always following the same routines. Every morning, I would go to the office, and work in the office for the whole day. Although I am a designer with an artistic background, I worked in an office like a 9 to 5 salaryman. I wasn’t thinking about what was the best for me. All I thought about was keeping my job, and getting a paycheck. Read more>>
Bauer Wann, Rupa Patel, Eleanor Trinh
Our optimism is fueled by the strong and supportive partnership we’ve cultivated as co-founders and friends. We are each others’ cheerleader for both small and significant achievements, while also ensuring accountability during challenges. Read more>>
Amanda Peterson
I’ve always been an optimist. From the time I was very small I could always find a silver lining. My mother, as I was growing up, had a no nonsense approach to life and was unrelentingly kind to everyone- no matter who she came across or how they behaved. My Nana, my dad’s mom, was always optimistic. Read more>>
Simone Reid
My optimism comes from witnessing growth. When I first started my food blogging journey in 2016, my page was a way to share my culinary experiences with friends while living abroad in Thailand. My page started small and intimate, but when I returned to Atlanta, I decided to take it more seriously. Read more>>
Adrianne Cooper
Through my faith in God when life gets tough I l always find joy and peace which gives me optimism. Through this process I can encourage others to keep going in the mist of their financial difficulties. Working with my clients and business partners everyday keeps me in a humble mindset because I can remember when my finances and credit were bad due to job loss. If people are willing to make the hard decision of getting out of debt, then there has been financial education, wisdom and optimism poured into them along the way. Read more>>
Carolyn Lee Jones
It is my belief that some people are just born with an optimistic outlook on life. I know that I am one of those people. It’s definitely part of an inherent personality trait. I’ve known people who have had a tough upbringing or dire circumstances but yet, still awaken with a positive optimistic outlook on life. For me the sky is blue most of the time and for this I am grateful. Read more>>
Rachel Irvin
I’m often complimented on my optimism and positivity. It comes from a place of gratitude- a place that knows that in the grand scheme of things, it’s going to be ok. Even when things go haywire, even when there are hardships- there are brighter days ahead and there is a valuable lesson in the hardship. My optimism also comes from a place of trust- trust in my own abilities to navigate myself and my business through whatever life throws at me. Read more>>
Austin Schulenburg
I don’t see optimism as a “hands-off” belief that things will work themselves out for me. A better word for that is probably “naive” or “denial”. Read more>>
Elena Smith
To be honest, Jeremiah 29:11 but overall optimism comes from every single area of my life. The Bible, family, friends, tv, strangers. Heck, even social media. Read more>>
RE:DAWN
As a group of aspiring artists, our optimism comes from a common ground of wanting to connect with people through our music. Being able to have an impact on those who are listening to our music is a very important aspect of our work. We hope to make music that our listeners can be inspired by and relate to, just as we were impacted by our favourite artists. And so, we gain positivity from knowing that our music could be just as impactful. Read more>>
Chamel Raghu
I think we were all optimists at birth, I hope to always be one. I can’t imagine any living thing that doesn’t wake with optimism; the hope that the tree will get sunlight, the hope that the lion will catch its prey. I don’t consider my optimism to be any different than theirs; however, maybe in our modern lives we are given plenty to get down about. When this happens, I tend to fall back on one singular thought; failure is not an option. Maybe with this psychological bayonet at my back my thoughts have become optimism! Read more>>
Magdalena Hess
Well, I learned at a very young age that optimism is the way to be. As a kid, I grew up in the inner city with its challenges, and you learn quickly to trust and pay attention to your gut
feeling. I learned to listen to my inner voice and found that it was always leading me in the right
direction. Read more>>
