Optimism, Resilience and Finding Your Silver Lining

As an organization that trumpets positive thinking, we want to look at how optimism affects human nature, suffering and adversary. The power of happiness is universally recognized. You can see it lettered in the subway, in motivational posters, in pop songs and in books, in conferences and symposiums. It’s infectious and it’s effective.

But why? Think back to the last time you experienced a loss or went through a hardship. Did you respond by venting? Did you dwell on the disappointment? Or did you look for meaning through the adversity? Did you bounce back?

Freud Wasn’t Always Right

Freud stipulated that people simply needed to express their anxiety and anger. For many years, psychologists followed this line of thinking. But new research says otherwise. Positive emotion does a better job at undoing a stressful negative experience, thereby leading to happiness and positivity. It’s more than positive thinking; it’s resilience. A positive outlook in the face of hardships is the most important predictor of resilience. It helps people quickly recover from difficult circumstances and bounce back. People who are resilient are more optimistic and are better able to regulate their emotions through the most trying times.

The Importance of Optimism

To illustrate, consider how a study examined 750 Vietnam war veterans. These brave men were held prisoners for six to eight years, tortured and kept in solitary confinement. The study found that unlike other veterans, they did not develop posttraumatic stress disorder or depression. They were resilient, optimistic, and altruistic. They derived meaning from trauma and grew wiser about it.

Although this situation is not likely to occur in our target niche, we are simply stressing how important optimism is in whatever circumstances we are facing in life. Whether it’s a challenging time for your market or a difficulty in the workplace, finding the silver lining is the first step to finding the light.

Let us show you how to find the light and how to keep it. Contact us today.