How to Become an Optimist: 3 Daily Habits To Help You Get Started

How to Become an Optimist: 3 Daily Habits To Help You Get Started

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
Winston Churchill

“We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.”
Anais Nin

One of the most common questions people ask me via email is how to become more of an optimist.

So this week I’d simply like to share three habits that can help you to get started with that.

I use these myself just about every day to stay optimistic in pretty much any situation.

It may sometimes take a while before I find an optimistic thread of thought but these three habits usually help me to do it.

1. Ask yourself questions that let you see the optimistic viewpoint.

When I’m in what seems like a negative situation my most common way of making something better out of that is to ask myself questions that promote optimism and helps me to find solutions.

Questions like:

  • What is one thing that is positive or good about this situation?
  • What is one thing I can learn from this situation?
  • What is one opportunity within this situation?

These questions are not something that I can always use right away. Sometimes I need some time to process and accept the feelings and thoughts that arise.

But after a bit of time, when those thoughts and feelings have mostly passed, I ask myself one or more of these questions.

2. Get optimistic support from the world around you.

One of the most important factors if you want to be able to stay optimistic are the influences around you.

Optimism is – just like enthusiasm – contagious.

So find ways to create an environment that supports you.

The people in your life.

Try to spend more time with optimistic people and less time with people who seem to always be negative about things.

Positive people will support you, add upbeat energy and can help you to find a constructive change in perspective when you have a situation that is bringing you down and when you are just making a mountain out of a molehill.

The information you let into your mind.

One of the easiest things you can do to create and support your own optimism is simply to regularly read blogs and books and listen to or watch recordings created by optimistic people.

3. Start your day in an optimism creating way.

The way you start your day often sets the tone for the rest of it.

A stress-free morning leads to less stress and better focus during your day.

A work out early in your day leads to more energy throughout the day.

And optimism while you are eating your cereal or traveling to work or school can help you to stay positive and constructive as you go through the ups and downs of your day.

Three practical ways to get this good start is to:

  • Read or watch something optimistic or funny for 10-20 minutes during your morning.
  • Have an uplifting conversation over breakfast or early in your day.
  • Listen to a motivating audiobook or podcast as you ride the bus, your bicycle or while you’re walking somewhere.
 

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About the Author

Henrik Edberg is the creator of the Positivity Blog and has written weekly articles here since 2006. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Gothenburg and has been featured on Lifehacker, HuffPost and Paulo Coelho’s blog. Click here to learn more…

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Sam

    I imagine that this would work for most. But for me i’m not sure if it would.

  • diane butler

    I love these, they help me more than i can say, i am a care giver to my 94 year old Mother and i look forward to these post’s so much.
    Thank you.
    D. Butler

  • Nishkarsh

    Really helpful.

  • Mandy

    Thank you for the great advice and lovely reminder?
    Getting started for today, sitting in my backyard in the sun, sipping herbaltea, listening to the birds singing, so much to be grateful for, reading your email was a beautiful way to bring me back into the moment and appreciate that I am able to be relaxed and focused to bring this energy with me today to work. Thank you?

  • milka mirei

    thanks for this

  • I share your blog with many, you are appreciated.

  • Amber

    I will definitely try to be optimistic this week and beyond. Thanks for the tips.

  • Yolanda

    Thank you for your daily motivation and positive spirit. Your blog is personaly very helpful.

  • Sofia Almazan

    Thank you for your comments! Helpful simple tips are the best thing. Ive been reading your blogs now for a couple of years and have been inspired to change my life course. Switched jobs, partners and life view. Just wanted you to know that I always find your writing to be uplifting and inspiring.

  • You have inspired me to go ahead. Thanks.

  • Really good article.
    Such a useful information.
    I will try these habits in my daily life and lets see what will be the results.
    Thank you Henrik. :)

  • nice

  • Martin Kofi Bedi-Tsatsu

    I am a regular reader of your articles and to be honest this article has been very helpful. I will put it into practice and i’m sure the benefits will be grate.
    Thanks so much.
    Martin Kofi

  • Anonymous

    nice