3418: Optimism: It’s a Choice by Ellen Burgan of If It Brings You Joy on How To Be Optimistic

[00:00:00] Brauchen wir wirklich noch einen Computer? Alle wahrscheinlich nicht. Aber wenn du Musik mit der Power eines Neuralprozessors neu erfindest oder unterwegs Migrationsmuster mit einem ganztägigen Akku analysierst oder deine Ideen mit dem KI-gesteuerten Co-Creator zum Leben erwächst, dann kann ein Co-Pilot Plus PC einen Unterschied machen. Nicht alle brauchen einen leistungsstärkeren KI-Computer. Aber wenn du versuchst, die Welt zu verändern, auch wenn es nur deine eigene ist, haben wir einen für dich entwickelt. Microsoft Co-Pilot Plus PC mit Snapdragon. Die bisher schnellsten und intelligentesten Windows-PCs. Die Akkulaufzeit variiert hier nach Nutzung und Einstellungen.

[00:00:30] Before we start, please check out our new podcast, Good Sleep. Have you ever noticed how a calm mind can really set the stage for a good night's sleep? That's the idea behind our new podcast, Good Sleep. Greg, our host from Optimal Relationships Daily, is here to help ease you into a peaceful night's rest with some positive affirmations. And these affirmations aren't just comforting, they can help ease anxiety and nurture positive thoughts, setting you up for true good sleep.

[00:00:56] So press play on Good Sleep tonight, because a good tomorrow starts with a good night's sleep. Just search for Good Sleep in your podcast app and be sure to pick the one from Optimal Living Daily.

[00:01:08] This is Optimal Living Daily. Optimism, it's a choice, by Ellen Bergen of ifitbringsyoujoy.com.

[00:01:15] And I'm your narrator, Justin Malek, the guy that reads blogs or articles to you every single day of the year, including weekends and holidays.

[00:01:22] And I'm gonna jump right into today's post as we optimize your life.

[00:01:31] Optimism is a choice, by Ellen Bergen of ifitbringsyoujoy.com.

[00:01:37] Optimism is not just cheerfulness for no reason, it's a conscious decision to live your life choosing to have a positive attitude and expect good things to happen.

[00:01:46] Being an optimist can help you live life to the fullest.

[00:01:50] Quote,

[00:01:51] Positive thinking is more than just a tagline, it changes the way we behave.

[00:01:56] And I firmly believe that when I am positive, it not only makes me better, but it also makes those around me better.

[00:02:03] Harvey McKay

[00:02:04] Harvey McKay is a businessman, author, and syndicated columnist offering career and inspirational advice.

[00:02:11] I particularly like that quote because it points out that my attitude affects me and others around me.

[00:02:18] Making life better for someone else is a good feeling.

[00:02:21] Knowing that I have a positive effect on someone else would definitely bring me joy.

[00:02:27] Importance of an optimistic attitude

[00:02:29] Your attitude is essential to your happiness, and research has proven that optimistic people are happier.

[00:02:36] If you're optimistic and see a bright future, you'll naturally find more joy in life.

[00:02:41] In preparing for this post, my research uncovered the following reasons you might want to strive to be more optimistic.

[00:02:47] Positive, optimistic people tend to handle stress better, have healthier relationships, live longer, healthier lives, be more productive, be more likely to reach their goals.

[00:02:59] Optimism feels a lot better than pessimism.

[00:03:02] You have control of your experience.

[00:03:05] Clean up your attitude and realize that only you can bring more of the feel-good optimism into your life.

[00:03:11] If you're a glasses-half-empty type of person, here are some ideas for how you can grow your optimism by training your brain to think more optimistically.

[00:03:20] Five simple daily habits to become more optimistic.

[00:03:24] Number one, slow down and be mindful.

[00:03:28] Sometimes a busy lifestyle makes you feel rushed and scattered.

[00:03:32] Slowing down can help you be present in the moment,

[00:03:34] and then it'll be easier to be mindful to find the good in day-to-day life situations.

[00:03:39] Number two, believe good things will come.

[00:03:43] As my friends at Abraham Hicks say,

[00:03:45] quote,

[00:03:45] A belief is just a thought you keep thinking, end quote.

[00:03:49] If you want something different than what is, then you have to envision it and believe in it.

[00:03:54] Don't work against yourself.

[00:03:56] Stop pessimistic thoughts before they build momentum

[00:03:58] and get you to believe bad rather than good will happen.

[00:04:02] Scattering pessimism on your path will just give you a bumpy ride that simply isn't necessary.

[00:04:07] Believe and expect good things to come.

[00:04:11] Number three, practice thinking positively.

[00:04:14] If you make thinking positively part of your daily ritual,

[00:04:17] when you hit a challenge, you'll be better mentally equipped to tackle it with an optimistic attitude.

[00:04:22] Practice is key because thinking positively needs to be an automatic reaction,

[00:04:27] and practice really does make that happen.

[00:04:30] You'll be more apt to see the good in challenges the day brings you.

[00:04:34] My favorite method of practicing positivity is each night I think about three good things that happened in my day.

[00:04:41] Number four, surround yourself with optimistic, positive people.

[00:04:46] Attitude is contagious.

[00:04:48] Start limiting the time you spend with negative nancies.

[00:04:51] Negative people can be emotionally draining.

[00:04:53] Resist the temptation to join a conversation revolving around pessimism

[00:04:57] or complaining.

[00:04:58] If you find yourself stuck in one,

[00:05:00] try to influence the conversation to be more positive and optimistic in nature.

[00:05:04] Complaining is something with which I really need to continually watch myself.

[00:05:08] Complaining can temporarily help me feel like I'm part of a little community,

[00:05:12] but afterward, it makes me feel pretty bad about myself.

[00:05:15] I'm getting better at recognizing a complaint session

[00:05:18] and knowing I need to get out of it.

[00:05:20] I don't beat myself up if I do get involved in complaining,

[00:05:23] but because I recognized it, I know that I'm growing.

[00:05:27] Bottom line, seek out happy people.

[00:05:29] It's pretty easy to spot people with a half-full glass.

[00:05:33] And number five, be attuned to your attitude.

[00:05:36] If you're consciously aware of your attitude,

[00:05:38] you can adjust it when you find yourself less than optimistic.

[00:05:42] If you realize you're complaining or being more aware of what you lack versus what you have,

[00:05:47] stop and purposely refocus.

[00:05:50] That reminds me of the inspirational quote by Helen Keller.

[00:05:54] Quote,

[00:05:54] So much has been given to me,

[00:05:56] I have no time to pond over that which has been denied.

[00:05:59] End quote.

[00:06:00] Being conscious of having a grateful attitude,

[00:06:02] even for the little blessings in your life,

[00:06:04] will certainly help you be a positive and optimistic person.

[00:06:08] Strive to remain positive and upbeat.

[00:06:11] Choose optimism.

[00:06:13] Now you have some tools to build an optimistic mindset and remain there.

[00:06:17] In the end, the true test is how you feel about yourself.

[00:06:20] Did you attack your day with optimism?

[00:06:22] Did you find the bright side or maybe even find humor in things you can't control?

[00:06:27] Did you have a positive effect on the people you encountered?

[00:06:30] When you're proud of your actions and reactions,

[00:06:33] you're probably on a good path to being an optimistic person.

[00:06:37] Optimism won't cure all our troubles,

[00:06:39] but it'll make life more joyful.

[00:06:41] It's your choice.

[00:06:42] Do you choose to be optimistic or pessimistic?

[00:06:50] You just listened to the post titled,

[00:06:52] Optimism is a Choice by Ellen Bergen of ifitbringsyoujoy.com.

[00:06:56] And I'll be right back with my commentary.

[00:06:58] The holidays can really strain your wallet.

[00:07:01] We've all been there, me included.

[00:07:03] It could take months to rebuild those savings,

[00:07:05] but holiday spending doesn't have to derail your financial progress.

[00:07:09] With Chime, you can actually stay ahead of your expenses.

[00:07:12] I discovered their spot me feature when I nearly overdrafted buying last minute gifts.

[00:07:17] Instead of getting hit with a $35 fee like my old bank would charge,

[00:07:22] Chime spotted me up to $200 with zero fees.

[00:07:25] Plus with no monthly fees and early direct deposit access,

[00:07:28] you're set up to maintain healthy finances year round.

[00:07:32] Enjoy the holidays while keeping your financial goals on track with Chime.

[00:07:36] Open your account in two minutes at chime.com slash old.

[00:07:42] That's chime.com slash OLD.

[00:07:45] Chime feels like progress.

[00:07:47] Banking services and debit card provided by the Bancorp Bank, NA, or Stride Bank, NA,

[00:07:52] members FDIC.

[00:07:53] Spot me eligibility requirements and overdraft limits apply.

[00:07:56] Direct deposit timing depends on submission of payment file.

[00:07:59] Boots are available to eligible Chime members enrolled in Spot me

[00:08:02] and are subject to monthly limits.

[00:08:04] Fees apply at out-of-network ATMs and for OTC withdrawals.

[00:08:09] Come by Ellen's site if itbringsyoujoy.com

[00:08:12] and thank you to Ellen for giving me permission to narrate her articles.

[00:08:15] You can find the link to this post in this episode's description and at oldpodcast.com.

[00:08:20] Out of all of this, I think the one I struggle with the most is also probably complaining.

[00:08:24] I think I'm more optimistic in nature, kind of have to be as an entrepreneur,

[00:08:29] but the one thing I catch myself doing is complaining every once in a while

[00:08:32] and it really does turn things negative.

[00:08:34] It can seem fun in the moment, but it doesn't really help anything.

[00:08:37] It's hard not to do it because it's so easy to complain.

[00:08:40] Some people have come up with tricks like wearing a rubber band as a reminder,

[00:08:44] even snapping it when they complain, but I'm not really into that method.

[00:08:48] I try to use meditation as a mindfulness practice to be aware of thoughts

[00:08:52] and then catch them before I take action and start to complain.

[00:08:55] I find that works best.

[00:08:56] But let me know if you have any other tricks.

[00:08:59] I'll do it for today.

[00:08:59] Have a great day, a great weekend if you're listening in real time,

[00:09:02] and I'll see you tomorrow where your optimal life awaits.