Thrive on Optimism

“Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.” — Colin Powell

Let eternal optimism be your driving force.

Don’t let people who thrive on misery bring you down.  And don’t bring yourself down.

Thrive on optimism.

Eternal optimism is the fire that burns inside our hearts and minds.  Eternal optimism is the hope inside that helps us enjoy the setting sun, as we look forward in anticipation to the dawn of a new day.

And eternal optimism is the force that helps us find the silver lining in every dark cloud.

In the book, Grit In Your Craw: The 8 Strengths You Need to Succeed in Business and in Life, Robert Luckadoo gives us some insight and perspective on the power of eternal optimism.

Don’t Ever Give Up

Coach Jim Valvano had eternal optimism, and reminded us to do the same.  Even when he battled a very aggressive form of bone cancer, which took his life.

Via Grit In Your Craw:

“During his battle with this terrible disease, he said something that still gives me chills: ‘Don’t give up … Don’t ever give up.’

And his inspirational final speech, delivered during the 1993 ESPY Awards, was even more moving. 

‘I’ve just got one last thing,’ he said in closing.  ‘I urge all of you, all of you, to enjoy your life, the precious moments you have.  To spend each day with some laughter, and some thought to get your emotions going.  To be enthusiastic every day.  As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, ‘Nothing great could be accomplished without enthusiasm.’  To keep your dreams alive in spirit of problems, whatever you have.  The ability to be able t work hard for your dreams to come true, to become a reality.’”

Eternal Optimism is the Fire that Burns Inside

Eternal optimism is the fire that burns inside our hearts, minds, and souls.

Via Grit In Your Craw:

“As performance-based professionals, we all need to watch Jim Valvano’s 1993 ESPY speech from time to time.  The eternal optimism evident in his words was the fire that had burned inside the hearts, minds, and souls of that 1983 NCAA-champion basketball team.

The team, that against all odds, found ways to overcome deficits, eke out unbelievable wins, and somehow prevail against stronger opponents.  So much of what Jim said in that speech can be applied to the sales profession and to our careers as managers.  You can pull off virtually any feat  with an optimistic, enthusiastic, energetic attitude.”

Carry Your Vision with Great Enthusiasm

Use your eternal optimism to help you make the best of every situation, no matter how bleak.

Via Grit In Your Craw:

“People want to buy from someone who’s excited about what they’re selling.  People want to be led by someone who’s excited about their mission and excited about leading.

Carry your vision with great pride and enthusiasm.  Go into every  day with an optimistic outlook, and always check your troubles at the door to your office.  And most important, when you’re out on sales appointments or dealing with your staff, bring lots of energy with you.

Not every appointment is going to work out the way you planned.  Not every encounter with a client or an employee is going to be a positive one.  But as the leader, as the agent, as the sales person, you have some control over the situation.  You have the power to make the best of the situation.  Turn the part you can control into something positive.”

Beware of People Who Thrive on Misery

Some people thrive on eternal optimism.  Other people thrive on eternal misery.

Via Grit In Your Craw:

“Within your office, your company and your life, there are always going to be people who thrive on misery.  You know who I’m talking about–those naysayers who see the worst case scenario in every situation and drag you right into the middle of it.  I bet you can name a few without having to think very hard. 

They’re the ones with the perpetual scowls on their faces. 

They’re the ones who have a smirk or a negative comment for everything.  They’re the ‘time sucks’  who plop down in your office every morning and try to convince you how bad the company is, how awful your supervisors are and how life generally stinks.  Have somebody in mind yet?”

Don’t Get Pulled Down by Negative People

Don’t let negative people and the people who thrive on misery pull you down.

It’s a fast spiral down.

Use your eternal optimism to rise above the miserable, and to light the way for others.

Via Grit In Your Craw:

“Well, don’t get pulled into that cesspool of misery.  Run as far as you can.  These negative people are like human quicksand.  If you dip your toe into the mire, you might be lost forever.  If you spend time with these pessimistic drama-lovers, their misery will creep into your own life.  It’s your career, your family’s livelihood, your life.  Don’t let these negative people convince you that your life is any less spectacular than it is.”

Let Eternal Optimism Be Your Driving Force

Use your eternal optimism to be a driving force in your life, and an inspiration and strength for others.

Via Grit In Your Craw:

“Make a point to be a source of positive energy at your office every day.  Let eternal optimism be your driving force.  Let your light shine as a positive beacon for your product, your office, and your company.  Be a role model, a supporter, an a cheerleader for a colleague, and try to find a role model in your industry who can support you. 

Even the most positive people sometimes need support.

You’ll be amazed to see how success follows from optimism and  a positive attitude.  When you’re positive and optimistic, your colleagues will notice, your super-visors will notice and your clients will notice.”

Let me be the first to say that I have good days, and I have bad days.

And I have ups and downs in my days.

But what helps in all cases is starting off with a bit of optimism, and embracing it wherever I can.

Today.  And, each day.

Here are some wise words from A.A. Milne, to remind us how to do that:

“What day is it?”
It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
My favorite day,” said Pooh.”

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Image by Martin Fisch.

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