The Power Of Being A Realistic Optimist

We all know the common idiom about the glass being considered as either half-full or half-empty. And the related assessment if in consequence someone has an optimistic or a pessimistic outlook on life.

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty (Winston Churchill).

Is it really so simple?

Personally, I favor a third way which I call Being A Realistic Optimist. Meaning that in general and for most situations I am a (very) positive, i.e. an optimistic thinker. However, in particularly challenging situations (e.g. before and during very complicated negotiations with many unknown and unfavorable variables) from time to time I might apply a more conservative style. As you´ll find out below this has certain advantages.

THE OPTIMIST

The word "Optimism“ is originally derived from the Latin optimum, meaning "best." Being optimistic, in the typical sense of the word, ultimately means one expects the best possible outcome from any given situation.

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle (Albert Einstein).

Research has found that positive, i.e. optimistic thinking can aid in coping with stress, in becoming more resilient, in being more courageous, and in addition it is playing a significant role in improving one´s health and well-being.

According to Martin Seligmann people with a so-called optimistic explanatory style tend to give themselves credit when good things happen; and typically blame outside forces for bad outcomes. They also look at negative events as temporary and atypical.

THE PESSIMIST

The term "Pessimism“ derives from the Latin word pessimus meaning 'the worst'. Pessimissm is a state of mind in which one anticipates undesirable outcomes or believes that the evil or hardships in life outweigh the good or luxuries.

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars (Oscar Wilde).

Individuals with a pessimistic explanatory style often blame themselves when bad things happen, but fail to give themselves adequate credit for successful outcomes. They also have a tendency to view negative events as expected and lasting.

At the same time certain studies which examined the consequences of unrealistic optimism have found that greater optimism is associated with less preventive behavior, i.e. that sometimes a negative style might lead to being more focused, better prepared, and more cautious.

THE REALISTIC OPTIMIST

Albert Bandura, one of the founding fathers of modern psychology, argued already decades ago that optimism is the basis for creating and maintaining motivation to reach goals. And that an individual's success is mostly based on the fact whether or not she believes she will succeed. The results of his findings have yet to be proven wrong.

Unrealistic optimists (I also refer to them as naive realists), on the one hand, are convinced that success will happen to them almost automatically and that they will succeed effortless. Some of them even think (and hope) that only by sending out positive thoughts the universe might reward them by transforming all of their wishes and asiprations into reality.

Realistic optimists are vigorously optimistic, too. They strongly believe that they make things happen and that they will succeed. They have no doubt about it. Saying that, on the other hand, they perfectly know that in order of being successful they have to plan well, to access all necessary resources, to stay focused and persistent, to evaluate different options, and to execute in excellence. Having done all of that, i.e. being well prepared and organized, such a state again stimulates their confidence level and as a result their optimism.

The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails (William Arthur Ward).

Being both optimistic and realistic, i.e. combining the two into one behavioral style of realistic optimism creates a special breed of very successful people. Realistic optimists stay positive and upbeat about the future, even – and especially - if and when they recognize the challenges ahead. As such realism and optimism are not diametrically opposed. The contray is true: They´re complementing each other in a very powerful manner!

Final tip: In case of doubt - and mostly if you want to achieve something very unique and impactful - the optimist in you should outwit your realist. Why? The realist might be too prone to anxiety. The optimist, however, if stimulated and guided well will activate your fantasy, imagination, and boldness.
What do you think? Are you more of an Optimist or a Pessimist? Or both? How do you do it? Let us know!

Best regards, Andreas von der Heydt

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Andreas von der Heydt is the Country Manager of Amazon BuyVIP in Germany. Before that he hold senior management positions at L'Oréal. He´s a leadership expert, executive coach and NLP master. He also founded Consumer Goods Club. Andreas worked and lived in Europe, the U.S. and Asia.

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