7 Skills for the Future, 2nd Edition

Chapter 5

OPTIMISM

‘The pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.’

Winston Churchill

How optimistic are you really? How do you view difficult events in your life? Research demonstrates that optimistic people are more successful, healthier and live longer. For many people there is an ‘optimism bias’ hardwired into the brain, and even if you feel that you are more pessimistically orientated, optimism can be learned.

Optimism and pessimism are explanatory styles of thinking about life events which predict a positive versus negative mood and expansive versus inhibited behaviour. People with optimistic explanations of life generally feel happier and more energised to cope with obstacles, ...