17 Lessons Learned from being a True Optimist

By 42 Comments


About Roman Soluk

Roman Soluk writes for the popular blog Optimistic Lifestyle. You can follow him on Twitter at Op_Life and catch him on Facebook.

Do you know how to tell a true optimist from a dreamer? They both think of their goals, believe in good things but the difference between them is that an optimist really strives for his success and a dreamer keeps sitting and dreaming. An optimist usually knows what he wants, he clearly sets his goals and terms for it. A dreamer may say: ‘I hope to do it someday.’ And here’s the difference, the difference between a winner and a loser.

Let’s assume you decided to be an optimist, to think positively, and thus fight all life problems and strive for your success. But leading an optimistic lifestyle ain’t easy. You will meet plenty of obstacles that will make you think: ‘Do I really need it?’

I’ve already come through this and now I want to share this experience with you. Here are 17 lessons learned from my optimistic lifestyle:

  1. Mindset is important. First and foremost – change your mindset. Only if you really have a desire to what you do, if you truly believe in yourself, only in that case you’ll succeed.
  2. Don’t let others intrude in your life. Not all people think the way you do, especially it may be your relatives or friends. And because of this they may fail to understand you, intrude in your life and give you advice which will interfere with your lifestyle rules. Live according to your mind, don’t listen to others.
  3. Don’t pretend. Be honest with yourself.
  4. Feel the kindness. Believe people, not all of them are bad.
  5. Prepare to fight. Optimistic lifestyle doesn’t mean that your way will be so easy. Vice versa, there will be plenty of problems and you should be ready to fight them.
  6. Accept your failures. Perhaps there’s no man in the world who wouldn’t have a single failure in his life. Our failures and small victories are like the bricks of a huge wall which is our success. Accept your failures as they can be a great experience for you.
  7. Don’t strive for success. Einstein once told: ‘Don’t be a man of success, be a man of value.’ So when trying to achieve anything in your life first of all start with yourself.
  8. Optimistic lifestyle isn’t the Utopia. Hard work and plenty of obstacles is a true reality of such life.
  9. Optimism can greatly improve your life. But for this purpose your life really needs to be difficult or you should be fond of self-improvement theme. In most other cases you’ll consider this idea stupid.
  10. Motivation is everything. As a true optimist I can say that positive thinking is useless without a true motivation. You must live for something or you’ll soon refuse the idea of positiveness.
  11. Positive thinking isn’t enough. In addition to this you should enjoy everything you do, your life, you should love the people around you, smile honestly.
  12. Try to find something positive in any bad moment. This can be a good start for being an optimist. Take for example some small problems at work or within the family. Think it over and find something positive in it.
  13. Do look back. Remember your past experience, how you managed to cope with previous problems. This will give you an inspiration for future fights.
  14. Believe in yourself. Know that you can everything, believe in your strengths and you’ll firmly walk along your difficult way.
  15. Don’t talk, just do it. I remember myself talking that I’m a big optimist, ‘boasting’ that I think positively, but all these words were left without taking any action. It was until I realized it, I had to do something with it or it wouldn’t bring me any use and I wouldn’t change anything.
  16. Combine your positive thinking with your self-improvement. The best result you’ll receive when trying to combine your optimism with improving your health, appearance, professional skills or other personal traits. This will bring you complex benefits.
  17. Develop an optimistic lifestyle into a habit, an obsession. Making yourself do something isn’t always good unless you get used to it in future. Better try to make this kind of life your obsession, like it, love it. Make it the essential part of yourself.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Filed Under: Guest Authors, Psychology Tagged With: , , ,

Comments

  1. Stacy says:
    January 27, 2011 at 6:53 pm

    Roman,

    What a great list! I love that you started it out with the mindset because that really is key. I have been using affirmations for a long time and they have really helped me to change my mindset and attitudes.

    Life is so much more pleasant and peaceful from an optimistic point of view. Like you said that doesn’t mean that it’s easy. It’s challenging but we can thrive through the challenges!

    Thanks,
    Stacy
    Stacy recently posted..6 Signs That You Aren’t Working on Personal Growth

    Reply
  2. Dandy says:
    January 27, 2011 at 9:38 pm

    Hi Roman,
    Fabulous post! Your list is brillitant. I’m glad you explained that being an opptimist isn’t easy. We don’t always wake up feeling positive. It’s a choice. Positivity always takes maintenace too. We have to check in with ourselves and have that inner dialoge that keeps us going. Thanks Roman! I’ll check out your blog!
    Dandy recently posted..Cognitive Distortions- Win against it

    Reply
    • Roman Soluk says:
      January 28, 2011 at 1:07 pm

      Hi Dandy,

      Yes this feeling inside of us can be different. And sometimes it strongly interferes with our optimistic way of life.

      Thanks a lot for commenting! I’m glad you like the post!

      Reply
  3. Brenton Russell says:
    January 27, 2011 at 9:42 pm

    Hi Roman,

    I also believe in the power of optimism and your list details great methods to keep your optimism useful and constructive. I believe that some people often confuse optimism with blind faith (or ‘Pollyanna Optimism’) which can often hinder rather than help.

    I like the term ‘rational optimism’.
    Brenton Russell recently posted..Personal Vision Statements- Propel Yourself Towards Your Dreams

    Reply
  4. Lori Gosselin says:
    January 27, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    Hi Roman,
    I love how you quoted Einstein in #7 ” ‘Don’t be a man of success, be a man of value.’” That’s a great point and much more attainable as a goal. Congrats on this optimistic lifestyle. Do you keep the list in front of you daily to remind yourself or have you internalized the details from it, and if so how. (More information required :-)
    Thanks for a great list!
    Lori

    Reply
  5. Contrarian says:
    January 27, 2011 at 11:11 pm

    Roman – great list.

    Clearly, there is no reasonable option but to take the optimistic approach to life. It’s difficult however, because optimism is not our natural disposition.

    The mind is like a garden, and left unattended weeds (pessimism and negativism) will grow and choke-out the flowers. If you want your garden (your mind) to grow something worthwhile and beautiful, then you must work the soil and cultivate your garden. You have to pull the weeds up by the roots, then giving your garden sunshine, water, and love.

    So, optimism takes effort – which is why most folks are not.
    Contrarian recently posted..The Power of Accepting Responsibility

    Reply
  6. Nea | Self Improvement Saga says:
    January 28, 2011 at 12:10 am

    #2 stands out to me as one of the most important points on your list. People will, intentionally or unintentionally, do all sorts of things to kick you out of an optimistic mindset. It’s important to learn how to deal with negativity and pessimism without absorbing that same vibration.
    Nea | Self Improvement Saga recently posted..6 Atypical Truths about Friendship- A New Perspective on True Friends

    Reply
    • Roman Soluk says:
      January 28, 2011 at 1:12 pm

      Hi Nea,

      Very often people try to interfere with our efforts to change our life, and especially they don’t understand optimism and laugh at it. I know it from my own experience.

      Thanks a lot for your comment! I appreciate it!

      Reply
  7. Kyle Stephens says:
    January 28, 2011 at 1:45 am

    This is just awesome. I believe in these 17 lessons 100% and I am currently trying to approve on each one of them. It’s not easy, and I think Nea is right about special detail to #2 because the people around us influence our minds and how we act and this makes it hard to stay on the right track.

    I also believe that if you surround yourself with people that seem to be optimistic or people that you think have outstanding personality traits, you will move forward much easier.

    Strong roots mean a strong tree !
    Great post !

    You are changing my life
    Kyle

    Reply
  8. Steven Aitchison says:
    January 28, 2011 at 5:04 am

    Hey Roman, welcome to the CYT authors club :)

    I know you’ve been a long time readers so it’s great to see you writing for CYT and getting the praise you deserve.

    I honestly love the list of 17 you have here Roman, and in particular 7,8 and 15 stand out for me. It’s definitely not easy being an optimist as there are so many people around us that take the easier pessimistic viewpoint. I believe that’s why the internet can be a great place to gather a group of like minded people.

    Thanks again for a great post Roman.

    Reply
  9. Stuart says:
    January 28, 2011 at 8:54 am

    It’s the great illusion of optimism; everyone thinks that you must have some lucky charm that causes you to jump out of bed each morning, but the reality is is that there’s no lucky charm. It requires hard work, patience, discipline.

    No. 8 is my favourite; there is no complete life without obstacles and setbacks. We need them just as much as we need positive thinking.
    Stuart recently posted..How To See The World

    Reply
    • Roman Soluk says:
      January 28, 2011 at 1:17 pm

      Hi Stuart,
      Nice to see your thoughts. Thanks for commenting! I appreciate it a lot!

      Reply
    • Tammy Matthews says:
      April 10, 2011 at 5:15 pm

      Roman,
      My dad is the most optimistic person I know. He can take a negative situation and find a silver lining. I thank God for him every day. If I get to where I’m feeling down or discouraged he helps me find another way to think about it.
      Optimism is a way of life – a way of being, not just a word and something that you can ‘appear’ to be. If you don’t feel it down deep in your being it is hard to truely be an optimist. You have to want it.

      I loved your article, thank you for sharing,
      Tammy
      Tammy Matthews recently posted..What Do Your Words Say About You

      Reply
  10. John Sherry says:
    January 28, 2011 at 10:43 am

    What a great ‘love life list’ Roman, you’ve got the vibe my friend. Most of it is simple and effective. It amazes me that many in the self-help, personal growth field always talk about the top stuff like dreams, big succees, even wealth, but the real keys to the best life are attributes like these available to anyone anywhere that can change a life for the better for ever. Be blessed for your giving for our good living. Cheers Steven for inviting such a talented writer aware of the simple things of life.
    John Sherry recently posted..The Definition Of Beauty

    Reply
  11. Bryce Christiansen says:
    January 28, 2011 at 3:47 pm

    I’m a proud supporter of optimism. I’m a high I on my DISC profile so optimism is a big part of my life. I agree with all of the points you make.

    I would just add to #7 Don’t Strive for Success. I think striving for success is important, but to do it in a positive way. Think of it as progress not perfection. Sometimes success requires some luck or circumstances outside of our control, but if we have a personal understanding that we are doing better then the day, week, or year before, we indeed are successful.

    I wrote on this topic a few months back if anyone wants some additional tips.
    http://bit.ly/aXE8MB
    Bryce Christiansen recently posted..Are You a Maximizer or a Satisficer

    Reply
  12. Bryan Thompson says:
    January 28, 2011 at 3:55 pm

    Roman, I’m glad you included the line, “Positive Thinking isn’t enough.” I’ve been told “You’re just a positive thinker” by people who are upset in their lives. I really don’t look at it that way. I think you have to live in such a way that your honest gratitude just radiates around you. THAT is what’s contagious. And it can take work to cultivate it. But it’s worth it in so many ways when you do. Thanks for sharing.

    Steven, kudos on the guest post, buddy!
    Bryan Thompson recently posted..Why the Call Center Guy You’re On Hold With Might Just Be Your Next Best Friend

    Reply
  13. rob white says:
    January 28, 2011 at 3:57 pm

    I like the distinction you make here, Roman. Positive thinking alone does not work; it works no better than negative thinking. REAL thinking works … only when we get real about things can our optimistic ideals can become a reality.
    rob white recently posted..How to Rid Your Mind Permanently of Howling “NO’s”

    Reply
  14. Ashton Wood | Save says:
    January 28, 2011 at 4:04 pm

    I like the point Don’t strive for Success. According to me One should not strive for success but should strive for excellence and then success will run after you.

    Reply
  15. Ligia says:
    January 28, 2011 at 5:34 pm

    Precious, thank you. Empowering thoughts. :)

    Reply
  16. Tom Sörhannus says:
    January 28, 2011 at 6:11 pm

    An optimist is one who when standing in the middle of the rain puts on a smile and says, hey, just hang on, soon there will be sunshine. And you know what. He or she is always right. Thanks for these great lessons Roman!
    Tom Sörhannus recently posted..Hungry Birds

    Reply
  17. murigi says:
    January 29, 2011 at 7:51 am

    Hi Roman,
    A nice post for self assesment to find out how much a dreamer is in ones life and how much true optism is there. Thanks.

    Reply
  18. ElizOF says:
    February 1, 2011 at 6:45 am

    This is an excellent post and #12 is particularly important because life is about movement; ups and downs. As a certified optimist, I believe that how we choose to respond to events in our lives makes a huge difference. :-)
    Thank you!
    Elizabeth
    ElizOF recently posted..Monday Musings- On Optimism and A Little More…

    Reply
  19. Ryuk says:
    February 3, 2011 at 3:58 pm

    everything that happens in this world makes me often to think pessimistic. more I am optimistic about something,it will become great the failure.
    Ryuk recently posted..Tips to Make Your Small Room Feel Wider and Larger

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Tweets that mention 17 Lessons Learned from being a True Optimist | Change your thoughts -- Topsy.com says:
    January 27, 2011 at 7:08 pm

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Steven Aitchison, kurio's resource and Maja, entrepreneur888. entrepreneur888 said: 17 Lessons Learned from being a True Optimist: Do you know how to tell a true optimist from a dreamer? They bo… http://bit.ly/hOKkVH [...]

    Reply
  2. Monday Musings: On Optimism and A Little More… | Mirth and Motivation says:
    February 1, 2011 at 6:48 am

    [...] 17 Lessons Learned from being a True Optimist (stevenaitchison.co.uk) [...]

    Reply
  3. Glass half full? « Eileen's Social Technology blog says:
    February 4, 2011 at 12:06 pm

    [...] found Romans post about being a true optimist and I’ve realised how much of his points resonate with me – [...]

    Reply

Speak Your Mind

*

CommentLuv badge