Consider

• Does your cloud always have a silver lining?
• Are your hardships ‘learning experiences’?
• When in the midst of a bad day do you think tomorrow will be better?

If you always see the brighter side of things, you may feel that you experience more positive events in your life than others, find yourself less stressed, and even enjoy greater health benefits.

This is not your imagination. An optimistic world view carries certain advantages.

Here are some examples:

• Persistence: Optimists tend not to give up as easily as pessimists, and they are more likely to achieve success because of it.
• Emotional Health: In various studies of clinically depressed patients, it was discovered that 12 – 24 weeks of cognitive therapy (which involves reframing a person’s thought processes and learning how to look at the world more optimistically ) worked better for a significant number of patients than drugs, as changes were more long – lasting than a temporary medication fix.
• Patients who had this trail in optimism had the ability to more effectively handle future setbacks and manage their depression tendencies better
• Innovation: Approach a problem by looking at it from different angles – 85% of optimists compared to 26% of pessimists Source: PsychTests.com
• Relationships: Able to find the good in even the most disagreeable of people – 69% of optimists compared to 19% of pessimists Source: PsychTests.com Plus an optimistic spouse (or partner) is better for your health. University of Michigan
• Longevity: The link between optimism and longevity is strong. Dr. Carol Graham, Leo Pasvolsky Seniot Fellow, Brookings Institute.

In another area, Geelong Grammar has been running the Positive Education Program – now called The Positive Education Institute – developed by Martin Seligman’s Positive Psychology Team across its entire school since 2008 with great effect. The program focuses on developing Character Strengths, Mindsets, Positivity, Flow, Active Constructive Responding, Gratitude, Resilience, Meaning and Purpose, and Habit teaching students, teachers, staff, parents and others how to master these concepts and apply them in their daily lives.

Better Health and Less Stress

Optimists tend to experience less stress than pessimists or realists. Because they believe in themselves and their abilities, they expect good things to happen. Negative events are minor setbacks; positive events are evidence of further good things to come. Believing in themselves, they also take more risks and create more positive events in their lives.The more we learn about our brains, our bodies and our capabilities the more we come to understand that Optimism is a powerful driver of change and opportunity.

Optimism is a word that has such power that it can change your mind set from “I can’t” to “I can”. How do we do this and what does positive psychology say about this process of change? Martin Seligman, the founding father of positive psychology advocates learned optimism yields a better you, a higher achieving you, and healthier you. Being an optimist bodes well for your future. Negative events are more likely to roll off of your back, but positive events affirm your belief in yourself, your ability to make good things happen now and in the future, and in the goodness of life.

Fortunately for pessimists and realists, these patterns of thinking can be learned and can make fundamental changes to people’s outlook on life. We encourage you to use the information from this website and book to help yourself and others continue to develop optimistic mindset and become more optimistic.