Are You An Optimist?

It is the classic illustration between the optimist and the pessimist. The optimist sees the glass as half-full, and the pessimist sees the glass as half-empty. Effective people are inevitably optimistic people. Do not confuse optimism with pie-in-the-sky, pollyanna thinking – though effective leaders are often dreamers – they are also realist. Effective people will cultivate and maintain a positive mental attitude.

Four Keys To Biblical Optimism

• Focus on God instead of Self – There is no problem to great for God to handle. Focusing on God and knowing that He is aware and in control of the situation is a key to a positive outlook, even in times of trouble. When we continually focus on our circumstances or ourselves, we are in for an attitudinal tailspin.
• Look to the Future and Learn from the Past – Refuse to dwell on past failures – learn the lessons and forget the details. Instead, focus on the present and anticipate the future.
• Always Focus on a Goal – Goals keep us oriented toward achievement and moving forward. They help us know what we need to accomplish and when it needs to be accomplished.
• View Problems as Opportunities for Improvement – Problems, setbacks, and disappointments are inevitable – they are part of life. Nevertheless, remember this: negative, defeatist attitudes produce negative, defeatist actions. Positive attitudes produce positive actions.

“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14 NIV)

A bounty of $5,000 offered for each wolf captured and brought back alive turned Sam and Jed into fortune hunters. Day and night the scoured they mountains and forests, looking for their prey. Exhausted one night, they fell asleep dreaming of their potential fortune. Suddenly, Sam awoke to see that about 50 wolves with flaming eyes and bared teeth surrounded them. Nudging his friend, he exclaimed, “Jed, wake up. We’re Rich!”

Now That’s Optimism!!!