“At the end of the day, you can either focus on what’s tearing you apart or what’s holding you together.”

“At the end of the day, you can either focus on what’s tearing you apart or what’s holding you together.”

– Unknown

464Image from Flickr by Ira Gelb.

Where do you fit along the optimism – pessimism continuum? Are you a half-full or half-empty kind of person? For the purpose of living a happier, more fulfilling life, the answer matters quite a bit.

Some of the benefits of optimism include:

  • Increased longevity.
  • Increased spiritual development and enlightenment.
  • More positive, supportive relationships.
  • Greater strength and resolve in times of crisis and difficulty.
  • Reduced anxiety, frustration and worry.
  • Enhanced persistence, which is an essential trait required to achieve success.
  • Greater productivity, potentially leading to faster career progression.
  • Greater patience, and greater physiological and psychological well-being.

When we bring a more optimistic perspective to our limiting beliefs, we are far more likely to fully explore and engage our own innate capabilities and live a fuller, happier life.

Exercise:

To learn more about the power of optimism, please visit www.lifeoptimizer.org/2010/03/24/benefits-of-optimism.

You can also consider two books by Martin Seligman, Learned Optimism and Authentic Happiness.

If you only have time for a relatively quick read, pick up a copy of Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar. If you only have a minute to spare each day, keep reading and doing the exercises found in the The Quotable Coach series. 🙂

Finally, please consider spreading your optimistic perspective on life by sharing The Quotable Coach with others who could benefit. You could send them a link to your favorite quote at www.thequotablecoach.com.