We know that life can be tough, and sometimes it feels like things just aren’t going our way. That’s where optimism comes in, giving us the ability to see a brighter future. But it’s not just about having a positive mindset—it’s about staying motivated to keep pushing forward, even when the going gets tough.

As always, we’ve put together an activity sheet filled with exercises to help you apply the strategies we’ll discuss today. Don’t worry, we won’t go over all the exercises here—you’ll get those on the sheet—but we’ll give you a sense of what’s to come. Let’s dive in!

What is Optimism?
Optimism is often misunderstood as being overly positive or naïve, but in reality, it’s much deeper than that. Optimism is the mindset that allows you to view challenges as temporary and surmountable. It’s the belief that, even though things may be difficult right now, they will improve, and you have the power to influence the outcome.

Michelle and I often talk about how optimism impacts not only our mental health but also our physical wellbeing. Research shows that people with an optimistic outlook tend to have better health outcomes, live longer, and generally enjoy a higher quality of life.

Optimism doesn’t mean ignoring the tough stuff—it’s about recognizing the difficulties but believing that you can get through them. On our activity sheet, you’ll find a great exercise to help you practice this skill by identifying areas in your life where you can reframe negative thinking into more optimistic perspectives. Trust me, this is a gamechanger.

Understanding Pessimism and How It Differs from Optimism
To really understand optimism, we have to talk about its counterpart—pessimism. Pessimism tends to look at the world through a lens of negativity, seeing obstacles as permanent and inevitable. Pessimists often believe that any success they experience is just luck and that bad things are bound to happen again.

Here’s a quick comparison:
Optimist’s View: “This project didn’t go well, but I can learn from my mistakes and improve next time.”
Pessimist’s View: “This project failed because I’m not good enough, and I’ll probably fail again in the future.”

The key difference is how each person interprets challenges. Optimists see them as temporary setbacks, while pessimists see them as permanent flaws. This is something we’ll dive deeper into during today’s discussion, and you’ll have a chance to apply this concept with the Optimism Reframe Exercise on the activity sheet.

Why Optimism and Motivation are Connected
One of the most interesting things about optimism is how it connects directly to motivation. When you believe that things will get better, you’re much more likely to stay motivated to work toward your goals. On the flip side, when you’re feeling pessimistic, it’s much easier to give up because you don’t believe that your efforts will make a difference.

Michelle and I have seen this connection play out in so many ways in our personal and professional lives. For example, when you start a new project at work, if you feel optimistic about the outcome, you're going to stay motivated through the tough parts. But if you’re already convinced it’s going to fail, it’s hard to find the energy to keep pushing.

On the activity sheet, you’ll find an exercise to help you visualize your best possible future, which is such a powerful tool to fuel your optimism and, in turn, your motivation.

We’ve prepared an exercise on your activity sheet that helps you track your daily motivations and uncover patterns. Sometimes the smallest things, like a clean workspace or a compliment from a coworker, can reignite your motivation. Tracking these moments can reveal powerful insights into what truly fuels your productivity.

Read more AND get the activity sheet in the show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/optimis...

#positivity #motivation #positivepsychology #generationalmentalhealth #perfectionism #hope #selfesteem #selftalk #innercritic #innervoice #mentalhealth #mentalwellbeing #anxiety #worry #depression #joy #consideryourselfhugged #hugs #mentalillness #negativity #emotions #emotionalhealth #stressrelief #stress #stressmanagement #mentalhealthstigma #happiness #wellbeing

Thanks for joining!
**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:
General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org
Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org
Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/
Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/

Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert
Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.

Connect with me:
https://www.tamiwest.com/