While some individuals are born with sunny dispositions and are more optimistic, others are more prone to negative outlooks. Many factors come into play:
- Childhood experiences
- Temperament
- Environment
- Economic status
- Genetic predisposition
While these are all valid reasons why a person might be more positive and optimistic than another, there is one factor which may have the power to transform those reasons – the power of choice.
Choosing to Be Optimistic
Given a set of negative circumstances, someone with a negative mindset might view this as an all or nothing, catastrophic event. However, individuals with a positive, optimistic mindset might feel the impact of the negative circumstance, evaluate their choices, and then go on to make the best decision in their control. Those with positive mindsets of optimism are more apt to also choose a more constructive and useful attitude.
While we may not be able to change our circumstances, we can change our reaction and attitude toward those very same circumstances. Always ask, what do I have control over? Our reaction and attitude is something we always have control over.
How a Pessimist can become More Optimistic
Brain Training
While changing any part of our personality is never an easy task, it is doable. However, you have to want to change. Chances are, telling a pessimist he/she can change their outlook and change their life will most likely be met with some cynicism. After all, it’s a pessimist we are talking about; however, if someone makes the decision on their own – say perhaps seeking to find his/her purpose in life or finding more joy – there is certainly more of a chance of success.
Through practice and some brain training techniques, a pessimist can most certainly become more optimistic.
Focus
What a person focuses on expands. Constantly focusing on what is wrong and what does not work is a surefire way to get more of the same; situations where just about everything can and does go wrong. There are plenty of positive circumstances in life to focus on:
- What does go right in your life?
- Counting your blessings
- What do you have to be grateful for?
- What does work?
Perception
When faced with adversity, is there any kind of a silver lining? Can a pessimist view an ending as a beginning or as a lesson learned? Can a pessimist find the deeper meaning instead of always looking for the negative? How about looking further out? Does this setback really mean that much or in the long term it’s just a blip on the radar.
Internalizing
While an optimist views the proverbial glass as “half-full” and a pessimist views the glass “half-empty,” what if a pessimist did not make it personal to themselves? In other words, what if something happened simply because it happened and not because the pessimist has “bad luck?” Moving away from the woe-is-me way of thinking opens the door to a broader view and removes the “all about me” thoughts of a pessimist.
By changing the focus and perception along with not internalizing, a pessimist is able to see the glass as half-full and have a life full of optimistic results.
