Optimism is the expectation that the future holds positive possibilities and the confidence that, with effort, these possibilities become likelihoods. It is a belief that effort will improve my future as well as a mindset to be resilient and perseverant, even when things don't go well.
Why is optimism important for ourselves and for our students?
Having an optimistic mindset can help us in many ways:
- Optimistic thoughts lead to more positive feelings, which help prevent depression.
- Optimistic thoughts can make you more persistent and determined when faced with challenges, which can lead to greater success.
- Optimistic people generally look after their health better than pessimists.
- Optimistic people are better at coping with social situations and therefore have more positive relationships.
- Optimistic people are better at problem solving and looking at alternatives, which help them overcome life's difficulties.
How can you become more optimistic?
There are a number of steps you can take to becoming more optimistic and probably you already do a lot of these things:
Why is optimism important for ourselves and for our students?
Having an optimistic mindset can help us in many ways:
- Optimistic thoughts lead to more positive feelings, which help prevent depression.
- Optimistic thoughts can make you more persistent and determined when faced with challenges, which can lead to greater success.
- Optimistic people generally look after their health better than pessimists.
- Optimistic people are better at coping with social situations and therefore have more positive relationships.
- Optimistic people are better at problem solving and looking at alternatives, which help them overcome life's difficulties.
How can you become more optimistic?
There are a number of steps you can take to becoming more optimistic and probably you already do a lot of these things:
- Know your strengths and use them daily.
- Be aware of your automatic thoughts (your internal dialogue): is it accurate? Is it catastrophic thinking? Challenge your thoughts just like you would if your friend had distorted beliefs about himself/ herself.
- Keep things in perspective; make an extra effort to look for the positives (as our brain is excellent at giving more attention to the negatives).
- Be around positive people.
- Take notice of the good things in your life, however small they are.
- Take notice of what you are grateful for and why.
- Remember that life has ups and downs.