Intro to Realistic Optimism
Do you consider how you react to things or with what mindset you handle situations?
Throughout life we come across many circumstances and must decide how to handle them. Every time, we have a choice as to what steps to take and what reactions to use.
A great way to operate is from a position of realistic optimism. Let’s look at what realistic optimism is and gain a deeper understanding of the parts of it.
In This Article
Different Terms to Understand About Realistic Optimism
It is important to first look at some terms that usually accompany the word optimism. This will allow a better understanding at how to gain this view.
We will address pessimism, reality, and optimism.
Pessimism
A pessimistic view is opposite from one of optimism. It creates a thought of what won’t happen or things that can’t take place. But an important point to mention is that it’s a perception and therefore a choice.
Remembering that thoughts come first in our minds and are what drive our emotions and choices is important. Even if you have spent your life with someone modeling pessimistic behaviors, you can always choose a different path.
Pessimism creates a negative view and causes you to allow things to weigh heavily on your mind. It can crush success and encourage you to jump to the exaggerated version of things rather than see things as they really are.
Sometimes, people grow up in a situation surrounded by pessimists and habitually become one from copying their behavior. But in addition to childhood, this mindset can come on at any point in life. It often shows up after we have been hurt or have walked through a difficult situation unsuccessfully.
One of the most common results of pessimism is underestimating what you are capable of. The negative view creates challenges for a greater outlook.
Fear is often present with a pessimistic view. It seems easier to skip something than face consequences or especially the possibility that it may not work out at all.
Greater health difficulties are also present in those that go through life with a pessimistic outlook. Some of these are stress and high blood pressure.
As mentioned, a purposeful stance can change this mindset. It starts with realizing it is present and controlling your views.
Reality
We’ll define reality as the current ideologies that you have. It seems practical because you use what you have seen or are seeing as your judgement for reality.
It creates greater awareness of your circumstances. However, depending on how you choose to use logic here, it drives your view of reality.
Some say that reality has a negative connotation. I believe this is the case if it’s what you choose when thinking about reality.
A realist can see what’s in front of them, but it doesn’t necessarily have to drive a negative outlook. This depends on the power of your mindset and the amount of emotional strength you have.
Again, childhood often has much to do with how we view things, but it never has to be the final determination. Even those that had a very difficult childhood can move into a different mindset when confronted with reality.
A realist is someone who looks at the circumstances and angles they are presented with and views next steps, and even the past, with specific types of thoughts. They can be pessimistic or optimistic.
Due to circumstances we see in society, reality is often accompanied by a negative outlook. Each of us has a choice as to how we decide to view it.
Walking through life with a pessimistic view of reality creates greater health concerns and causes increased stress. The choice to change may not always be easy, but it’s definitely worth it.
Optimism
Optimism is the view of what could be or what can happen. It is a filter that things are seen through.
It begins with thoughts that bring good character traits rather than emotional reactions. (What some people would call positive vs. negative.)
An optimistic view creates an outlook with reflection of what has taken place and expectations for what is to come.
If you are optimistic, you have a brighter side—a better view—that can contribute to success. You can see beyond what is right in front of you and realize that things may take a different turn. You are open to that possibility.
Optimistic people are said to have better health and less disease or stress. This view can create better whole-body wellness and even helps with family wellness.
Optimism is also a great characteristic to possess when attempting personal development in your life.
Optimism vs. Positivity
Now that we have addressed some terms that are often heard with optimism, let’s clear up a confusing thought about words that are incorrectly interchanged. I’m talking about optimism and positivity.
These two terms are quickly used and assumed to mean the same thing, but we will look at why they are very different.
What is positivity?
Most people would describe positivity as having a good outlook. It might even be described as having certainty or reliability in a situation. Seeing something with a positive outlook can even bring assurance.
Approaching a circumstance with positivity could mean you are sure that it will go well. You can look at adversity and remain positive that it will all turn out fine in the end.
This all sounds great, right?
When you understand the finality of this view, you many not necessarily think so.
There can be a lot of pressure with positivity. With this type of mindset comes a closed ended thought process of how things need to turn out.
When expecting positivity, we assume situations must end a certain way and are often disappointed when they don’t. With this disappointment comes a gamut of emotions and can even lead to pessimism because of an unexpected outcome.
Positivity can be a very inflexible mindset that brings struggle for acceptance of a variety of circumstances.
How Positivity and Optimism are Different
Although these two terms often get interchanged, they are actually very different.
Optimism is a thought process that encompasses an outlook based on expectation with a better view. It focuses on how things can look up, even if there may be challenging steps to encounter.
An optimistic view comes with the understanding that things may not be perfect, but this knowledge doesn’t hinder the outlook. It helps guide better steps.
Positivity however creates the landscape for something that will certainly come to pass. It encourages a mindset that things need to be a specific way, more like a measurement. There is not much wiggle room with positivity.
This view hinders next steps that may alter the scope of positivity if there is a difficulty or a challenge that arises.
Sometimes, we must walk through a struggle to create a specific encounter, but positivity doesn’t flex for this change.
An optimistic person counts on this adjustment as a bump in the road and still succeeds. They stay engaged to the situation and don’t give up.
An optimist counts hiccups as opportunities and have wisely learned from the past. On the other hand, positivity doesn’t allow for reflection. It only views things moving forward.
Positivity is a type of attitude and optimism is an action-filled way of life.
What is Realistic Optimism?
Now let’s look at realistic optimism.
This type of optimism shows the depth of insight into reflection of not only past, but present situations.
A realistic optimist sees what has been—and is currently—there and allows room for adjustments while keeping a bright view for the outcome.
Things may not happen exactly as planned, but the journey does not make or break the outlook. It allows for a richer experience.
This view maintains that steps are taken toward a better ending but will not be perfect and aren’t expected to be.
The actual success in realistic optimism is the ability to roll with the punches and expect a good outcome, even it not the one that was originally intended.
Remember, a realistic optimist creates a space for reflection of where they’ve been and an expectation of something to come. This view creates the mindset that brings strength throughout the journey.
While it may be challenging to maintain this mindset, it gets easier with practice. The saying is true.
The desire to view life in this way, along with the numerous health benefits that accompany it, allows great motivation for better steps ahead.
Characteristics of Realistic Optimism
There are three characteristics that are important to mention here.
Realistic optimism helps create—and continues—strength and a powerful mind. It is encouraging because greater wellness comes with this mindset.
Remember, that wellness is action steps that bring about better health.
Because optimism is accompanied by the understanding that things don’t have to be perfect, it allows much less stress and can bring about greater health changes.
The Right Perspective
Realistic optimism creates a space for steps with correct perspective.
This characteristic is reflected when you realize that reality changes readily, but you have the right mindset to power through. Circumstances that you can’t control will come up, but you maintain the view that you can choose optimism.
As actions continue along your journey, you display the power and ability that come with an expected better view.
The key is to realize that optimism delivers action. It does not create a thought process that stays stifled or becomes disappointed with the slightest change.
There is power in the ability to pivot.
Once you’ve experienced the freedom that a realistic optimist has, you’ll understand the excitement they possess for the future. This is true even when things around you seem to be at their worst.
Motivation is also easier to find when you hold an optimistic outlook for what is to come.
A Powerful Mindset
Another characteristic that optimistic people have is the understanding that they are powerful.
This creates the right outlook as you walk through life. Rather than sway with each passing storm, you create strength by having an optimistic view.
We’ve established that with the right perspective, your outlook will be much better. In addition, you will have the ability to think through things in a powerful way.
Your view will become more sure-footed, but not because you know everything that is to come. It will be due to the outlook that ushers you through the thought process and action steps. (Using declarations is a great method for adding power.)
You gain understanding, and you will not be reactive to every part of the process.
A powerful mindset allows less emotional outbursts and more control of difficult emotional situations. This, in turn, creates much less stress and encourages a brighter view of life.
Practicing mindfulness is a great way to stay optimistic. Mindfulness skills can promote greater focus in the moment.
Living with Resilience
Along with the right perspective and a powerful mindset comes resilience. This creates ways to improve your efforts and continue your journey. You have persistence.
Someone who has an optimistic mindset won’t be stifled nor quickly feel defeated. There is a powerful perseverance that goes with this view.
The correct mindset and outlook allow a better result when things don’t go the way you thought. A realistic optimist understands this happens often and is prepared.
Resilience from optimism creates emotional stability. Resilience and stability naturally go together.
It maintains that the alternative can also bring a good outcome. You pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and change your course.
You have an understanding that because there is better out there, and you know it’s possible, you can continue to hope for more.
Final Thoughts on Realistic Optimism
We have addressed how beneficial maintaining an optimistic outlook is on your health and in your life.
Excellent character traits are built from realistic optimism and usher in a sturdy foundation. Even if it has not been modeled, optimism is a choice and can be gained and practiced.
Creating circumstances where we don’t demand positivity, but instead encourage optimism, allows better next steps and greater action. It brings longevity in addition to an immediate result.
Realistic optimism creates better health benefits and encourages lifelong wellness.