10 reasons optimism can help Victor Meldrew‏

The 3rd in our mini series to help our motivation.

​We all can get a bit grumpy and down from time to time but I believe optimism is good for the soul. We can all learn to be optimistic - even poor old Victor Meldrew - so here are some tips that may help you make the sun shine.

• Stay away from negative environments 

Although it is often hard to stay away from bad news, seek out positive individuals and stay away from Victor. Some of these negative people are found extensively on Facebook ADI Forums, try giving social media a rest.

• Know your strengths and rely on them

Focus on what you do well. If you don't know your strengths spend some time thinking what you like about yourself and writing it down.

• Read inspirational stories

Watching inspirational videos like Ted Talks on Youtube can be great for raising your spirits. Write down your goals and future aspirations and pin them where you can see them every day. Don't wait for your ship to come in - swim out to it.

• Self-manage when things are not under your control

For example, we may not be able to control all that happens but we can control how we choose to feel about it internally. It is not compulsory to be miserable, smiling helps.

• Reframe

This shifts your perspective/view on the world. Look at the problem through someone else's eyes. For example, Richard Branson is a great optimist, how would he solve your problem.

• Change your language from 'that was wrong' to 'how could you improve that?'

Being a devil's advocate can be soul destroying to the person who has just had a great idea. Avoid saying 'yes BUT..........'

• Stop looking at yourself

Help someone today, see how it makes you feel good. Find projects and interests that get you motivated, fired up, passionate or just give you pleasure, do something you enjoy.

• Encourage people to excel

Learn how to use feedback constructively rather than that old praise sandwich. You could find out how to improve those skills through self-development.

• Be spontaneous

Book yourself a day off and go to the beach and buy yourself and your family an ice cream. Play a game, book an outing, take some positive action now. As Richard Branson likes to say, 'just do it'.

• Be optimistic as this improves your immune system

Dr Seligman is the founder of positive psychology and has found that being positive has numerous benefits.
Finally, we all have to be realists and being a Pollyanna walking around in rose tinted spectacles all the time would be plain stupid and so there has to be a balance. I will leave you with the words of Winston Churchill: 'A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty'.
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