Everyone falls somewhere on the sliding scale between pessimism and optimism. There are advantages to each, but on average, optimism is a more nurturing solution. Optimism has so many benefits and can enhance your life in numerous ways.

You might consider optimism as a trait. Optimism, however, is a skill that can be developed through awareness, knowledge, and practice. Cultivating an optimistic perspective increases personal agency and your capacity to deal with headwinds and curveballs of life that are imminent.

Optimism provides many tangible benefits to your life, such as:

• Longevity. Many scientific studies have shown that those with a more positive attitude are more likely to live a long life. What a simple way to enhance your health and your longevity! Be determined to find the bright side of things as you go throughout your day.

• Happiness. Unsurprisingly, optimistic people tend to be happier, too. If you live with high expectations, your mood will be better than that of someone that lives with low expectations. Since we all look for ways to be happy, it only makes sense to give optimism a try.

• Less stress. When you’re optimistic, you experience lower levels of stress. When you believe that things usually work out fine, they usually do! And if they don’t - you will have more available energy and focus to deal with the situation when you have an extra buffer against stress.

• Solution-oriented. People with an optimistic perspective are more focused on solutions than they are on their challenges. This is because they actually believe a solution exists and that they can find it. People with a pessimistic perspective, on the other hand, tend to believe that there’s no solution or hope, so they don’t try to find a way out of their predicament.

• You’re more likable. Would you rather be around someone that’s all doom and gloom, or would you prefer to spend time with someone that believes good things are going to happen?

• Greater productivity. Optimistic people are able to accomplish more each day. Why would you work long and hard if you didn’t think things were going to work out for you? The hardest workers are often the most optimistic.

• Increased confidence. When you have high expectations, that’s a form of confidence. You believe you’re going to be successful. That’s essentially the definition of confidence. It is hard to be pessimistic and have self-confidence at the same time.

• Persistence. A positive belief about the future is a breeding ground for persistence. People that give up quickly do so because they don’t believe a positive outcome is likely. Would you be more likely or less likely to keep trying if you expected to fail? What if you expected to win?

• More stable mood. Pessimism is stressful. When you’re stressed, your mood is likely to vary. The most stable people are also very optimistic about their future and their agency to tackle what comes their way.

• A greater level of success. If you’re more productive, happier, less stressed, live longer, have more confidence, and are persistent, success is the logical result.

• Stronger relationships. It’s easier to get along with people and to be a good friend and a good partner if you’re optimistic about your own path and agency.

You may wonder how our biology contributes to having an optimistic perspective. The short answer is - it’s complex. However, one thing is clear. Anyone can choose to practice to be optimistic. Optimism is a deliberate practice of imagining new and interesting possibilities that you can do each day. It’s simple. All you have to do is to stay open to the possibility of a positive perspective. To get started, ask yourself questions that fuel a positive perspective, such as:

• What is great about this situation?

• What can I learn? What can I get out of this?

• What is good in my life right now?

• What would be possible to create if I am supported?

To step closer to optimism, look for solutions rather than focus on your challenges. Choose optimism as a way of life. With so many incredible benefits to be gained, why not give optimism a serious effort for a month? You’re going to like the way you feel!

For a weekly dose of optimism, inspiration, and motivation, follow us on Instagram (@dimovskis) and the Clubhouse App (@coachlana). I look forward to chatting with you and learning how you go about managing a positive outlook when things are unclear or uncertain.