If you’re an optimist you may live by the old “glass is half-full” theory. But if you’re a pessimist and your glass is “half-empty” you may not be okay with this.
You can work on switching mindsets, and GenuLines has some suggestions on making your mental “U-turn.”
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Can a Pessimist Become An Optimist?
Some of us are born with sunny dispositions. Others are prone to negativity.
Many factors come into play:
*Childhood experiences
*Temperament
*Environment
*Economic status
*Genetic predisposition
These can play into a pessimistic attitude. But there is one factor that may have the power to transform those reasons – the power of choice.
Optimism as a Choice
Someone with a negative mindset might view negative circumstances as all or nothing. A catastrophic event,
But those in the positive camp look at the negatives and assess their choices. They then go on to make the best decision in their control.
Plus, their positive mindset can bring them a more constructive and useful attitude.
How a Pessimist can become More Optimistic
Brain Training
While changing any part of our personality is never easy, it is doable. An individual must want it though.
Try telling a pessimist their attitude can change their outlook and thus change their life. Now expect a cynical response.
But if their decision is their own there’s more chance of success. Especially if the person is trying to find purpose or more joy in life.
Focus
What you focus on expands. Always focusing on what is wrong and what does not work is a surefire way to get more of the same.
Most 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
Can adversity can contain some semblance of a silver lining? Will a pessimist view an ending as a beginning or as a lesson learned?
Can a pessimist find the deeper meaning instead of looking through a negative lens?
Internalizing
It’s best not to make the circumstances personal. In other words, what if something happened only because it happened and not because of “bad luck?”
Moving away from the woe-is-me way of thinking opens the door to a broader view.
Storytelling
Another way to subdue negative thinking is through stories. A pessimist will say they have no luck.
Everything always happens to them. Everybody else gets to get what they want.
Something happened because something happened – no story attached.
Changing your focus and perception. Don’t internalize.
Tell yourself a new story. See the glass as half-full and bring more optimism into your life.
JohnK 2-23-2021
Overheard: “Optimism is the madness of insisting that all is well when we are miserable” ~Voltaire
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