While realistic optimists believe in their power to make good things happen, even through rough conditions. It gives us the motivation and confidence we need to go after the things we seek.īut there are two ways to be an optimist: Unrealistic optimists believe good things will just happen-with less focus on their agency. Optimism isn’t just a good thing-it’s a necessary thing. It’s called realistic optimism-and it's so powerful, here at Shine we're renaming Positive Thinking Day (September 13) to Realistic Optimism Day. We have over 50,000 thoughts each day, and it's estimated that 70 to 80% of those thoughts are negative.īut it turns out, there’s a middle ground that’s actually better to aim for-one that’s not all “happy thoughts only” but still maintains hope for the best. We're not wired to be in the "think happy thoughts only" camp.
We have over 50,000 thoughts each day, and it's estimated that 70 to 80% of those thoughts are negative. The answer: I'm not alone in my negative thinking tendencies. Why would I pretend that everything is going to be all effortless rainbows and sunshine, when I’ve been around the block enough to know that’s rarely the case? But it also gives me optimistic FOMO, leaving me worried (of course)-is everyone positive thinking without me? Or, one of its cousins: “Just don’t think about the negative.” “Can’t you just not think about bad things?”Īs a worrier, it all seems a bit counterintuitive. As someone with anxiety, I’ve heard that piece of well-intended advice a few times.
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