“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” –  Sir Winston Churchill.

After watching a news bulletin last week, I concluded that there are lots of gloomy and negative stories around at the present time. I feel that watching news bulletins influences our mood and can lead to feelings of despondency and drain our energy.

It appears to me that many people are feeling pretty pessimistic and lacking positivity at the moment. I feel that the world needs a little more optimism and positive thinking and this will lift people’s spirits.

The quotation at the top of the blog sums up perfectly how sometimes two people can look at the same situation and see two different scenarios. One person can see a positive outcome and another see a negative conclusion.

Our perception of a situation depends upon and is shaped by the lens by which we choose to view the world. It has always been the case that some see the glass as half empty and others see it as half full.

It’s important that we pay attention to our dominant thoughts as these create our reality and what we experience in life. If we anticipate that we’ll encounter difficulty, struggle and challenge then it’s likely that’s what we will find.

Conversely, if we adopt an optimistic and positive outlook and visualise positive images and outcomes, it’s more likely that is what we find ourselves experiencing. Our imagination is powerful and can help create the world that we picture. What we believe and feel to be true is what will be our life.

It was Helen Keller who said “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”

When we’re optimistic, life somehow seems brighter and easier and we feel happy, lighter and more energised.

It feels like we have an invisible force and power inside us guiding and directing us. It helps us to accomplish whatever we set our minds to do. We have a “can do” attitude and things just seem to flow effortlessly. In such circumstances we make things happen naturally.

Whilst we can’t control everything that happens in the world or the content of news bulletins, being optimistic is within our gift and control. Each day we have the opportunity to choose our attitude and outlook. If yesterday was tough and challenging, we can leave it where it is – in the past. We can’t change it, we can learn from it but we don’t have to let what happened in the past shape our future reality.

Every day truly is a new beginning and we can start it afresh and with a clean slate. If today is tough, tell yourself that tomorrow is another day. What we put out to the world is what we tend to attract, so if we want to have an amazing life, we have to start picturing ourselves doing so.

The world is full of possibility and unlimited potential. You can be whatever you want to be, do whatever you want to do and have whatever you want to have. However, first of all you have to be optimistic and believe that it’s possible and that you are deserving of whatever it is that you desire.

When you have clarity of what you would like to achieve, it’s important to take action to turn your dreams and desires into reality. When they are achieved it’s vital to count your blessings and adopt an attitude of gratitude.

There is a great story about two shoe sales people who were sent to Africa to assess if there was a market for their product. It illustrates how we can have an optimistic or pessimist outlook:

The first sales person reported back “I want to come home. This is a terrible business opportunity because no one wears shoes in this part of Africa.”

The company agreed that the sales person could return home and sent another sales person. Upon arrival, the second sales person reported back to the company. They said “There is massive potential and opportunity here as nobody wears shoes.”

The first sales person had been discouraged by what they saw and failed to see any opportunity. The second sales person looked at things in a different way. It was their view that if the villagers could be convinced of the merits and benefits of wearing shoes, there were massive sales to be made.

For me, this story simply but very powerfully illustrates that the attitude we adopt in life and the way that we view situations will ultimately shape the results that we achieve. As Henry Ford said “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t you’re probably right.”

If we look for opportunities and solutions then we are likely to find them. On the other hand if we programme our mind to see challenges and problems then that is likely to be what we discover and encounter.

How optimistic are you in life?

This week why not pause for a few moments to reflect and ask yourself:

What situation(s) in my life would benefit from me being a little more optimistic?

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk