WINNERS CHOOSE OPTIMISM, EVERY TIME

What is the biggest, most important key to success in life?
Philosophers, coaches, teachers, preachers and consultants
have wondered about that since the dawn of time.
Fortunately, I think I have the answer!
No, I'm not claiming to have discovered it by myself. I'm
not sure I can even claim to have mastered it in my own
life or to fully understand how it works. But, I do know
what it is: Attitude!
Remember the old saw that "Your attitude determines your
altitude?" I'm convinced it's true.
There is lots of  turmoil and anger all around us. That's bad. 

The government
is spending too much, taxing too much, and generally doing
lots of things people do not like, while failing to do the
things they prefer. Even the weather was bad!
Bottom line: There's a lot of anxiety and unhappiness on
the radio!
Clearly, this is a troubled world and there are lots of
problems out there. We can't deny that. But it's also true
that, "what we focus on, expands." And, of course, "we
become what we think about most of the time."
Several years ago, Martin Seligman wrote a wonderful book
called "Learned Optimism." In it, he notes that for most of
us, optimism is a learned skill. It's like a muscle that we
can strengthen with practice. Or we can allow it to atrophy
through lack of use.
For most people, optimism is in rather short supply. We are
concerned about world peace, terrorism, climate change,
unemployment, and buying all the stuff our kids need for
school.
The good news--and it is truly Good News--is that there has
never been more good news all around us. Most of us are
healthy and are likely to stay that way. We can communicate
with anyone, any time, any place in the world, usually for
free! We can read great books, listen to audio programs, or
interview the most talented, successful people who ever
lived! We have more "stuff" and access to more wealth than
any people in history!
Even in tough times, we are rich beyond imaging! And yet
the news is almost uniformly bad, bloody and painful. We
worry all day long--at least some of us do. People are
angry, discouraged, and actively practicing their "victim"
approach to life. How sad is that??
High achievers refuse to buy into this negativity! Winners
have always looked for the good, emphasized hope, and found
opportunity where others see only problems.
Successful people reason that if money is tight, folks are
looking for bargains. Many of today's richest families got
that way because a couple generations ago, Grandpa (or
Grandma) made some smart moves during the Great Depression.
Winners note that if there is less money for games and
gimmicks, there might be more time as a family. What if the
family watched ten movies that won the Oscar™ for Best
Picture in the next few weeks? What if the family went on
more hikes, picnics or visited more art galleries this
winter?
Optimism comes naturally and easily to only a few. Perhaps
they are "lucky" or are wired differently, I don't know.
But for the majority of people, optimism is a learned
skill, a chosen approach to life. It's a conscious decision
to see "the glass as half-full." It's a habit of "whistling
while you work" and giving cheerful compliments to everyone
you meet. It's something they practice every day.
There are lots of reasons to be pessimistic, but what's the
point? Even if it is more "realistic," does it truly give
you any advantages? I prefer optimism. Even foolish,
unrealistic, exaggerated optimism. If I'm wrong, I may be
briefly disappointed when things go wrong, but I figure my
"incurable optimism" will help me keep on going, no matter
what.
Cheerful optimism, trying stuff, doing stuff, learning
stuff, constantly moving forward is the most fundamental
trait of life's most successful people. I highly recommend it.