You want your auto engineer to be a pessimist so systems to keep you safe are put into the vehicle design. New businesses are more likely to succeed with pessimistic leaders. Attorneys do better for their clients if they are pessimistic, says Alex Spiro.
It is important to realize while pessimism might be more accurate—and in some specific cases desirable—as a default perspective, it comes at a price. Research shows that human nature thrives on hope.
What is the difference between pessimism and optimism? In an article by Eric Barker, How to Be Optimistic: 4 Steps Backed by Research, according to Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman (a leading authority in the fields of Positive Psychology, resilience, learned helplessness, depression, optimism and pessimism) there are three important elements that make up the difference: permanence, pervasiveness and whether it’s personal.
“The defining characteristic of pessimists is that they tend to believe bad events will last a long time, will undermine everything they do, and are their own fault. The optimists, who are confronted with the same hard knocks of this world, think about misfortune in the opposite way. They tend to believe defeat is just a temporary setback, that its causes are confined to this one case. The optimists believe defeat is not their fault: Circumstances, bad luck, or other people brought it about. Such people are unfazed by defeat. Confronted by a bad situation, they perceive it as a challenge and try harder.”
Seligman suggests a balance of flexible optimism. Think of pessimism as a tool, kept in the garage like a snowblower. “You don’t need it every day but occasionally it’s valuable to have around.”
This week, notice the perspectives of optimism and pessimism. Like putting on a pair of sunglasses when you go outside, or taking them off when you come in out of the bright light, you are able to choose the perspective that helps you be wise, healthy, and successful. For most of us, most of the time, that means you will be seeing the glass as half full!
This health tip originally appeared online at https://scs-matters.com/
Flexible-Optimism/. Send email or call or text to schedule a private session with Debra.
Tips from 5 April 2010 to 6 August 2012 are here: Archived Tips
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Rev.Debra Basham
Voice or text: (269) 921-2217 Email or Text: debra@scs-matters.com https://scs-matters.com http://ImagineHealing.info http://SurgicalSupport.info Small Changes … Infinite Results™
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” ~Mother Teresa |