Enjoy
the Benefits of Optimism
Adrian H. Cline,
Superintendent
If you think you can, you can!
You can have better health, successful
relationships, and a better future.
You might think of optimists as unrealistic
people who ignore the world’s blemishes.
But positive thinkers do not blind themselves to reality, say
psychologists at
Studies suggest that only about 25 percent
of the tendency toward optimism is carried in the genes, the rest is developed
by the individual.
In his book, Learned Optimism, Dr.
Martin Seligman says the way to become an optimist is to think like one. When something goes wrong, an optimist blames
it on external, temporary forces. A
pessimist may blame trouble on personal character or faults. Because optimists expect the best outcome,
they are more motivated to bring it about.
Here are a few ways to begin your path to increased optimism.
n Be friendly. Greet co-workers and others with a smile and
a few cheery words. Being cheerful and
friendly leads to more positive interactions and positive feelings.
n Give yourself a
break. If you greet someone, and your
friendliness is not returned, think, “He is having a bad day,” rather than, “He
does not like me.” Never blame yourself
for other people’s conditions.
n Be a problem
solver. If a plan doesn’t work out, make
changes in the plan. Do not give up.
n Distract yourself. When your boss is less than kind, or you
embarrass yourself in a social situation, do something you enjoy to get your
mind off of the situation.
n An enjoyable activity
breaks the trend toward negativity. Go
out to lunch, play golf, or work in your yard.
Better solutions will come.
n Laugh. It is good for the body and soul. Laughter helps people get through hard times
that might undo them if they didn’t have a sense of humor.
n Practice looking on the
bright side, even if you do not really feel optimistic. Fake it if you must. Each time you count on success and achieve
it, your confidence will build.
n Remember the words of
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale: “Have faith in
yourself! Have faith in your
abilities! Without a humble but
reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy. ”
The Office of Adrian H. Cline, Superintendent of Schools, is
open from