An open letter about Optimism
Is the glass half full or half empty?
For many years we have just taken our ‘seemingly’ natural slant toward optimism or pessimism as a fact of life, as something that is an intrinsic part of ourselves, unchangeable.
Those with a pessimistic attitude have not fought against or resisted their ‘seemingly’ natural state, believing it unchangeable and probably not all that important.
Science has now shown us that we do have control over whether we are optimistic or pessimistic. If we decide to change ourselves we can do so. Both outlooks are merely habitual patterns of thought.
Science has also shown us that there are many benefits to being more optimistic than pessimistic. These benefits, in general, include:
Optimists are healthier
Optimists live longer
Optimists are better salespeople
Optimists are more successful in most endeavors
Optimists are not as susceptible to depression
Optimists have better relationships
The saying “Blondes have more fun” might be more accurately stated as “Optimists have more fun”.
So, what can you do about it?
You can take our Keys to Happiness course which not only increases happiness but optimism, emotional intelligence and resilience. The course is fun and easy and will give you all the skills and knowledge necessary to shift your focus from being pessimistic to optimistic.
Does your pessimism serve you in your profession? One of the other benefits of our course is that you can choose to be flexible. You can focus upon becoming more optimistic in your personal life while retaining your professional skepticism. The two can cohabitate successfully when you consciously choose this path. Even if your pessimism serves you in some aspects of your profession it is not benefiting your relationships with co workers, bosses and employees. You can fine tune your optimism/pessimism switch so that the attitude that is most beneficial to you in the moment is the one you apply.
Pessimists may have difficulty believing they can change or that this course will be helpful. Feel free to check out our Science section where citations from many studies are provided. You can use the citations to locate and read the studies. You will also be able to see for yourself as students answer a questionnaire about optimism and pessimism at the beginning and end of the course to determine their progress.
Deciding to take the course is a small investment of time and money that has the potential to improve your life experience in countless ways.
If you would like to be happier, if you would like to feel less trepidation, fear, anxiety, worry and concern take the class.
If you tend to focus on the negative aspects of your family and friends take the class.
If you have dreams and goals that you believe are impossible to reach take the class.
You will be happy you did.
Best Wishes for a happy life,
Jeanine Joy, President
www. happiness1st. com
PS: Recent findings show that optimism is a trait associated with a 50% risk reduction in the nation’s # 1 cause of death, cardiovascular disease.