Optimism versus Realism
“I’d rather be an optimist and a fool, than a pessimist and right.”
Albert Einstein
Within that quote resides 2 great and common misconceptions:
- The pessimist is right, while the ignorant optimist sees the world through rose-tinted glasses.
- There is also the cognitive bias of absolute thinking, which says that we either have to be one way or the other:
If we’re happy we can’t be sad;
If we’re liberal, we can’t have prejudices; and
If we’re optimistic, we can’t be a realist.
Do optimists ignore reality?
Does optimism have to negate reality? Surely one can see things as they are and still anticipate a positive outcome?
A realistic optimist can accept that there will be failures, mistakes and challenges, yet still maintain that the conclusion can lead to future possibilities.
To succeed in life, you need to be realistic so that you tackle obstacles and avoid disappointments; you also need to seek opportunities and take responsibility for your actions. I allude to this in my earlier article Activating Ability (Part 1) from my eBook.
Motivation is the energy that drives you in a specific direction. When you are motivated, you feel encouraged and excited. Yet without the belief that you can achieve your end-goal, you would never proceed on your planned path. In his article “Business Owner Coaching: Making It!” Business Coach, Neale Roberts writes about mindsets and motivation, “The difference between those who crumble under the pressure, and those who soar to success, is the simple mindset of not wanting nor dreaming but taking action.”
So, do optimists ignore reality? I think this is the ultimate realistic optimist: When you know you can do something, you accept that it won’t be an easy ride, and you persevere to climb that mountain.
Antonio Gransci said: “I’m a pessimist because of intelligence, but I’m an optimist because of will.”
We can all make that choice, to perceive a happy result, without ignoring the present reality. This choice breeds success.
