Category Archive: Optimism

How to Escape Toxic Dissatisfaction

Dissatisfaction grows in the gap between aspiration and reality. Dissatisfaction that lingers in the gap between aspiration and reality defeats aspiration. You begin to think, “Why try?” Dissatisfaction is boredom with sameness. Dissatisfaction… Continue reading

6 Things I Learned (or relearned) in 2020

6 things I learned (or relearned) in 2020 #1. Contribute: Tom Rath answered my long-nagging concerns about self-indulgent-passion-following by focusing on contributing. The question is how to use your talent to make the… Continue reading

Why I Admire Frosty and You Should Too

Frosty the snowmanKnew the sun was hot that day,So he said, “Let’s runAnd we’ll have some funNow before I melt away.”* 3 reasons to admire Frosty the Snowman: #1. Optimism. I admire Frosty.… Continue reading

Why Leaders Don’t Think Straight

Ruminating on what’s wrong exaggerates the importance of wrong. “Nothing is as important as you think it is, while you’re thinking about it.” Daniel Kahneman Unmanaged thinking distorts reality. In a world filled… Continue reading

Don’t Pretend Things Smell Good when they Stink – Instead Shift Focus

Relentless problems feel like driving around with garbage in the backseat. You wonder if the journey’s worth it. Don’t pretend things smell good when they stink. Dig into problems, but don’t set up… Continue reading

You Might be Right – the Glass is Half Empty – Now What

A friend texted, “I think of myself as more of a doomsday preparer.” I texted back, “Ahh! The advantage of pessimism is preparation.” Are there more? Pessimism is, “An inclination to emphasize adverse… Continue reading