Remember "The little engine that could?" The story about the little train engine that successfully pulled multiple times its own weight over a tall and very intimidating mountain after all the other very well equipped trains refused to even try? The little red engine was an imp relative to the large and stealth looking engines, but the little engine had one ginormous advantage over the other engines; he had faith. He believed that he could..and could he did. In believing that he could pull that daunting load over that gigantic mountain, he was able to form a picture of himself in his own little red mind. He thought that he could, believed that he would and he did it. When it came time to pull that massive weight, all he had to do was tap into his half full optimism glass and start the journey. “I think I can, I think I can….”
I’m a half full glass kind of guy for the most part. That means that I usually look at things from an optimistic perspective. No matter how negative, overwhelming or alarming a situation seems, I am always able to dig deep within the core, the inner orifice of the thing to find something positive and exploit to deliver positive results. It’s just how I’m wired. But, for every ounce of optimism, there is a pound of pessimism. Optimism says “yes I can”, pessimism says “no you can't.” Optimism says “will too” pessimism say “will not.” If you’re not careful, glass half-empty pessimism will dissuade you from breathing the very air you need to survive. Let’s face it; there is no greater idea killer, no greater killjoy, than the glass half-empty pessimist. Just when you get yourself all psyched and ready to present your big idea, here comes half-empty with her double barrel shot gun, ready to shoot you down; “well that’s never gonna work.” “Why not?” “It just wont.”
Why is that? Well, what I've learned over the years is that half-empty pessimism is not necessarily saying that a thing is not possible or doable. What half-empty is really saying is that I don't believe that a thing is possible or doable so prove it to me. Big difference right?
The thing is, just because something seems possible or even probable, doesn't mean that it is easily doable; this where the glass half empty pessimism can make a big difference in our half-full thought process. See, as glass half-full optimists we do not always look at all the challenges, obstacles and pitfalls that lay-wait along our journey. We are usually so busy looking at possibilities that oftentimes we don't even see the obstacles; we look right pass them. It's just natural, were optimists, we see the light in darkness.
When probing questions are asked, questions that challenge our optimism, questions that we possibly haven’t thought of yet, they are sometimes perceived as criticism, as cynicism, as negativism, as pessimism. But all half-empty is looking for is clarity; a reason to believe.
Over the years I have learned to temper my optimism enthusiasm with healthy critical analysis. This is not just to combat those who are glass half-empty inclined but it is also a way for me to think deeper and more concretely about my optimism. This also helps me to provide tangible examples so that so that I'm confronted by half-empty pessimists, I can help them believe. As a glass half-full optimist the burden of proof is on your shoulders. You have to figure out a way to help others believe in your optimism so that they can see the light.
Believe so you can see
Yep, you read it right; believe it so that they can see it. There is an old saying that seeing is believing but I’d like to re-coin that phrase as believing is seeing. There are plenty of times when you are going to have to believe things that cannot yet see. For example, if you’re taking a trip to a place that you have not yet seen, you have to first believe that it exists before you see it right? The mind is the gateway to one’s eyes and your belief holds the keys to the gate.
A co-worker of mine was giving one his direct reports the “man-up” speech the other day when he told him that he needed to have a more half full glass attitude and apparently used me as a positive image for him to emulate. The employee paused in bewilderment and responded, “why is he always so happy anyway?" Well, gotta go, looks like a I have another half-empty glass to fill.
In your life's journey, if you believe it you will see. Try it.
Share your thoughts below about optimism vs pessimism and your ritual to be more optimistic.
