Have optimism with your eyes wide open

If you

Tend to see the glass half empty,

Are a master of negative thinking,

Are the helpless type,

Have talent and intelligence and still fail,

You may consider yourself a pessimist rather than an optimist.

An interesting analysis of the viewpoints of each is contained in the book Learned Optimism, by Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman.

Seligman sees optimists serving as researchers and developers. In the corporate world, he says, they are planners, the visionaries who see the big picture and its wonderful possibilities.

Optimists capitalize on the positive and push aside the impossibilities.

Optimistic individuals think about action, concentrating on ways to solve difficulties. Pessimists are more passive, believing failure is usually forthcoming.

Optimists are more prone to be problem-focused while formulating plans and contingencies. Pessimists are more likely to focus on their emotions and the feelings they are having about a problem.

Pessimists are the realists, sometimes overly prudent, but always cautious. They capitalize on the negative and push aside the possibilities of chance or serendipity.

Although often more in tune with reality, pessimists tend to put themselves under more stress by exposing themselves to more information and feelings than does the optimist.

Pessimism can be destructive as it:

Promotes depression.

Promotes inertia rather than activity.

Is associated with poor health.

Is self-fulfilling.

Optimism on the other hand can help us lead more productive healthy lives as it:


Puts us in motion and gives us a spurt forward.

Increases joy in life. We tend to see the glass as being half full or at least capable of being filled.

Helps us maintain wellness and fight illness.

Optimism, Seligman says, is a useful adjunct to wisdom. It is a tool to help an individual achieve the goals he sets.

If optimism is all great and wonderful, how can we change our thinking form pessimism to optimism?

Seligman cites the theory of Albert Ellis, who teaches how to dispute irrational thoughts, analyze our cognitive thoughts and dispute the negative.

But Seligman also says that while learned optimism is a challenging goal, flexible optimism is perhaps what we should strive for.

He says flexible optimism is optimism with our eyes wide open. We must be able to use pessimism’s keen sense of reality when we need it, but without having to dwell in its dark shadows.

We need some optimism and pessimism in our lives. When learned optimism is coupled with a renewed commitment, depression and meaninglessness may end.

Total optimism may keep us from seeing reality with clarity. Total pessimism may give us an empty glass.

Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright © 1993