How Optimism Fuels Success

Community Manager — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:55:00 GMT

Lucky optimists, they not only see the world through rose colored glasses, they enjoy better health and greater work success than their pessimistic counterparts.

The link between optimism and health is easy to understand: A positive worldview adds up to less stress and its attendant ill health effects. But why does a glass-is-half-full outlook result in enhanced work outcomes for those disposed to the sunny side of life?

Optimism Breeds Success: Optimistic employees, who view the proverbial glass as half full, succeed at work in greater numbers than their pessimistic half-empty counterparts says expert Susan Segerstorm, author of Breaking Murphy's Law: How Optimists Get What They Want from Life - and Pessimists Can Too. Segerstorm argues that optimists have significant advantages in the workplace over pessimistic colleagues since work success is fueled by motivation and optimists are more naturally motivated to reach their goals. Pessimists on the other hand can't foresee success and are less likely to invest time and energy in ambitious projects and goals.

Optimism is the X Factor: Harvard Business Review Senior Editor Jeff Kehoe also is an optimist advocate, calling optimism the crucial ingredient for the success of a business. Kehoe defines optimism as "the simple, clear, energetic belief in the potential success of an idea" and argues it must be present to achieve success. Without this X factor, businesses aren't created, talent isn't hired, and good ideas wither on the vine.

Easy Does It: Interestingly, optimism itself can sometimes be a negative. In Lean Towards the Sunny Side, But Don't Over Do It, the New York Times examines the down side of life on the sunny side. While optimism garners benefits, extreme or unrealistic optimism can have a negative effect that impairs judgment and ends in disappointment. Pessimists will also be relieved to learn that some careers call for a pessimistic outlook: lawyers do well by always preparing for the worst.

Do you agree that optimism play a role in creating work success? Has an optimistic nature give you a leg up? Share your thoughts here and on the Pendaflex Facebook page.

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How Optimism Fuels Success