Dwindling Resources - Optimism

Dwindling Resources - Optimism

No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an unchartered land, or opened a new doorway to the human spirit. —Helen Keller

I AM OPTIMISTIC. I am positive. I can always see a brighter tomorrow. Well, almost always.

When you’re a leader, the almost always can be a big problem. And regardless of our titles, we’re all leaders; someone somewhere is indirectly watching us or purposefully looks to us for direction, inspiration, and hope. That can be a hard role to fill when times are tough.

As the economy slid into recession in 2001, my optimism slid with it. As one employee told me years later, “Ellen, it was written on your face.” While I don’t think that “faking it” or painting an artificially rosy picture is appropriate, I do believe that I could have created a more hopeful environment during those difficult times. Because pessimism is a viral contagion with ugly symptoms and dire consequences, it is critical that we protect against it.

One way to preserve hope is to be purposeful in our thoughts. The energy invested in thinking and talking about all the things that aren’t right robs us from focusing our resources and talents on the things that are right. Learning from my mistakes in 2001, I have reengineered my thinking to better lead my organization through the economic thunderstorm that began in 2008.

Another key to protecting this valuable resource is to know when to shoulder the blame. Optimists rarely blame others for mistakes made by themselves, their team members, or their families. They know that “the buck stops here” and that laying blame erodes morale. I have seen leaders turn teams around by knowing the difference between holding someone accountable and holding someone hostage.

Finally, optimists by nature know they must stay motivated in their work, their hobbies, and their goals. Optimists get up every morning aware that they can’t make a positive impact for others without a strong sense of belief in the future. There are few hard-and-fast rules in this world but here’s one optimists know well: pessimists inspire no one.

If your resource of optimism is dwindling, look to shore it up. Surround yourself with people who talk positive, think affirmative, and live with a sense of hope.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. (Colossians 3:16)

We have stars to discover, seas to sail, and—more important—we have the responsibility to unlock the human spirit. Girlfriends, believe with me that you can be the catalyst for hope.