Being cautiously optimistic keeps me informed and realistic while remaining hopeful about the outcomes I wish to manifest.
Being too realistic can dry up my soul, but being too optimistic can make me extremely delusional.
If I see only the worst, it destroys my capacity to do something and if I only see the best, I may become blindsided by the bullshit I’m telling myself as things go horribly wrong.
A case for remaining causiously optimistic throughout the day.
1. I remain clear and focused
The optimism bias (also known as unrealistic or comparative optimism) is a cognitive bias that causes a person to believe that they are less at risk of experiencing a negative event compared to others.
Four factors exist that cause a person to be optimistically biased: their desired end state, their cognitive mechanisms, the information they have about themselves versus others, and overall mood.[1]
The optimistic bias is seen in a number of situations. For example: people believing that they are less at risk of being a crime victim,[2] smokers believing that they are less likely to contract lung cancer or disease than other smokers, first-time bungee jumpers believing that they are less at risk of an injury than other jumpers,[3] or traders who think they are less exposed to losses in the markets.[4]
2. My decisions are realistic.
The are based in reality, not in some daydream of how I want reality to be but more focused on how I am designing and producing the outcomes.
3. I carefully weigh the pros and cons
I weigh the pros and cons and stay focused on the results I want – knowing I can achieve them, because I am optimistic that I will get results.
4. Turning worry into work
Cautious optimism has me turn my worry into work while remaining positive about the outcome because I do a combination of what is tried and true while experimenting with fresh new solutions.
5. Impulsive vs Intentional
I am less prone to make impusive and spontaneous decisions – I am more strategic when I am cautiously optimistic.
6. Time is on My Side
I don’t waste or maybe I should say, I waste less time. Grounded and focused in reality and humble and hopeful for the future, I am purposeful. I remain cautiously optimistic.
7. Open to Opportunity & Outcomes
I move forward and do what needs to be done, but I am not holding onto a set outcome – I am open to different visions and versions of what winning looks like for me.
8. Celebrate the Moments
My careful optimism has me recognize the small wins throughout the day. Celebrating the bits of wins throughout the day – acknowledging my small moments and accomplishments.
9. A Reminder to Be Here Now
Caution + optimism has me locked in to being present to what needs to be done now for the future.
10. Correct and Certain
When I am cautious, I correct my mistakes. Having a sense of certainty and understanding and knowing what needs to be corrected in order to continue to make certain that I achieve everything I want to achieve.
11. Awake & Aware
I remain on the look out for problems and I dare to make them opportunities. I ask myself, what’s great about this problem? Does it propose an opportunity to make something better?
12. Hacking Away without Skipping the Essential
I recognize that there are no real short cuts – just smart strategies and in turn I am less delusional while focused on great outcomes.
No skimping – no scamming – just making sure I take each step carefully while remaining hopeful while proceeding with intelligence and faith.
Having faith in the outcome while I am willing to learn, grow and make corrections.
