OPTIMISM
“For myself I am an optimist—it does not seem to be much use being anything else.”
Optimism is not wishful thinking, ignoring the negative, or forcing a cheerful outlook. Instead, it’s the ability to accept the full spectrum of inner experience and choose the perspective that maximizes well-being. For an optimist, the future looks bright—not because they believe everything will go perfectly, but because they believe their actions matter and that they have some control over what happens in their life.
Even though the human brain naturally leans toward focusing on the negative, optimism is a skill that can be developed with practice. This module highlights the impressive physical and psychological benefits of optimism and offers several research-based strategies for strengthening this trait—helping you become a more confident, resilient, and optimistic version of yourself.
Contributors: Andrea Hunsaker, Jared Warren, Zachary Clement, Rachael Fuhriman