Optimism vs Pessimism: Which Is the Best Use of Your Time?

To be most effective, should you be optimistic or pessimistic?

Optimism allows you to see the best in a situation, keeping you hopeful and motivating you to push forward when things get tough. On the other hand, pessimism can help you be more realistic and anticipate problems that may arise. Truthfully, they both have their pros and cons. We suggest that a healthy mix of both optimism and pessimism can actually be the most effective approach.

This article breaks down the differences between optimism and pessimism, and how you can find the balance between them to better invest your time.

The Connection Between Your Attitude and Productivity

Your attitude about your work — and life in general — impacts your productivity and future success in several ways:

• Adaptability: Your attitude and outlook influence your ability to adapt, change, and pivot when surprises come up.
• Collaboration: Your attitude can help or hinder your ability to collaborate with others and be a team player.
• Innovation and problem-solving: Your ability to solve problems and be creative will be influenced by your attitude.

Your attitude is fundamental to your success and productivity.

Optimism vs Pessimism: What’s the Difference?

Optimism and pessimism are two different ways of looking at the world.

Think of them as lenses that influence the way you see reality. They’re simply beliefs or perspectives that you hold about yourself, the world around you, and any particular situation that arises in life.

Here’s a more in-depth look at each.

What Is Optimism?

Psychology Today describes optimism as a belief that, in general, events or experiences will have positive outcomes.

This is a “glass half-full” perspective. It’s classic positive thinking — the future is full of hope, and there are plenty of opportunities to succeed. Here are a few additional characteristics of optimists:

• An optimistic person views negative experiences and failures as temporary.
• Their positive outlook empowers them with more agency and proactivity.
• Optimistic thinking provides mental health benefits and improved physical well-being.
• However, optimists tend to be unrealistic. They may take unnecessary risks since they believe their future will be full of only positive events.

Viewing the world in a positive light can be empowering. But when taken too far, the optimist can become delusional and blissfully unaware of potential dangers.

What Is Pessimism?

Pessimism is the belief that, in general, events or experiences will have negative outcomes.

This is a “glass half-empty” perspective. It’s classic negative thinking — this person believes that, without a doubt, negative events are just around the corner. Pessimists have a reputation for seeing the worst in situations, yet they tend to be realistic and better prepared for potential problems. Here are a few additional characteristics of pessimists:

• Pessimistic thinking leads to skepticism, making pessimists less susceptible to manipulation or false advertising.
• A pessimistic attitude alerts people of threats, helping them take necessary precautions or set clear boundaries.
• A pessimist thinks about events or experiences with more accurate perceptions, as opposed to an optimist’s rose-colored glasses.
• However, a pessimistic outlook can lead to poor mental and physical health.

Pessimists have the advantage of being realistic, allowing them to anticipate future problems. But when taken too far, this negative outlook can begin to repel others.

As negative thinking becomes compulsive, you’ll create your own personal prison. The addiction to negativity blinds you to easy solutions and opportunities that are right in front of you.

Pessimism vs Optimism: Which is Better?

Optimism and pessimism have their pros and cons.

For instance, you’ll want to be optimistic if you’re in a job interview — having a positive attitude will give you more charisma and help you perform better. But if you’re walking into a dangerous situation or your actions have significant consequences, it helps to have a pessimistic outlook and be prepared for the worst.

The optimal choice depends on the situation. But if you want long-term success and fulfillment, the key is to find a balance between the two perspectives.

You’ll want to be “realistically optimistic.”

Realistic Optimism: The Sweet Spot Between Optimism and Pessimism

The ideal perspective is one that’s rooted in reality, yet still hopeful and positive.

Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz, authors of The Power of Full Engagement, call this “realistic optimism.” It means seeing the world as it is, but always working positively towards a desired outcome or solution.

Realistic optimists are willing to face painful circumstances. They know that life can be difficult and their actions have consequences. And they’re not naive to the obstacles they’ll face on the road to success. But they take action anyway — they’re always looking for ways to improve their current situation. Negative situations, though admittedly challenging, carry opportunities for growth and success. Realistic optimists are confident that they can handle whatever comes their way.

This is a courageous and effective outlook on life. You have a positive attitude, yet you’re still willing to face reality head-on. You’re proactive instead of reactive. And you don’t give up easily when things get tough.

Realistic optimism is the sweet spot between optimism and pessimism.

Next Steps

Optimism and pessimism have their time and place.

But if you want to be both successful and enjoy life, it’s best to find a balance between the two perspectives. Realistic optimism is an empowering outlook toward life and its many challenges. It’ll serve you well in both your personal and professional life. So aim for realistic optimism the next time you’re feeling down about a situation: it’s the best use of your time.

Looking for tools to help you manage your time and be more productive? Sign up for Undock today to gain more control over your schedule, manage expectations, and get more done.

Originally published at https://phase.undock.com.