Posted on Jan 1, 2014

6 Ways To Lead With Optimism

What are you expecting in the year ahead?

– Good things or bad things?

– Exciting new things or the same old things?

How you view the future has a huge impact on those you lead. So, as you lead forward your family, your business, your volunteer team, or just yourself, embrace the value of optimism.

As a differentiating value, Optimism means a general disposition to expect the best in all things.

This is more than “hoping for the best”. Optimism is about anticipating a better future. It’s about visualizing a great future before it happens. Strong optimists say they can even “taste it” ahead of time.

Optimism is also more than simple enthusiasm for a better future. It’s about being energized and motivated to take action and make it happen.

Of course, some leaders are naturally optimistic. Others find they have to work hard at it. You’ve likely experienced both.

Regardless of your own natural disposition, optimism does require continual encouragement and development to remain active and alive.

Ways to Lead with Optimism

Here are 6 ways to encourage and develop the value of optimism.

Pray for it. A great Bible quote is: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened for you.” [Matthew 7:7] So, go ahead and ASK for it. And don’t be surprised when you receive what you asked for. Be thankful!
Believe in it. Recalibrate your beliefs to embrace the concept of unlimited abundance. No need to fight for your share of the pie. Believe that you will never run out because the pie gets bigger through optimism.
Talk about it. Focus your conversations on optimistic subjects, or turn challenging issues into opportunities. When you are optimistic, this engages others to be optimistic too.
Share it. When you hear an optimistic story, especially the ones where someone triumphed over difficulty, share it with others. It encourages hope and possibility thinking.
Live it. No matter what attitude others display – at work, home, church, and everywhere you go – let everyone experience your optimism. It’s wonderfully contagious!
Reflect on it. Consider the fact that there are others around you right now with half of what you have, or twice as many difficulties, and yet are optimistic and happy. It’s all about attitude. And an attitude of gratitude promotes optimism.

Now, if you’re struggling to be optimistic, regardless if it’s your nature or the circumstances that surround you, I encourage you to read Norman Vincent Peale’s book: The Power of Positive Thinking. As Peale encourages: “Change your thoughts and change your world.”

Remember, optimism is a choice. So choose a better future now!