What is realistic optimism?

Realistic optimists (the kind Bandura was talking about) believe they will succeed, but also believe they have to make success happen — through things like effort, careful planning, persistence, and choosing the right strategies. They recognize the need for giving serious thought to how they will deal with obstacles.

How can I be a realistic optimist?

Ten Tips for Building Realistic Optimism

1. Selective Focus: Where the pessimist see problems, the optimist sees challenges.
2. Set Realistic Goals and Standards: Realistic Optimists do not try to be perfect.
3. Keep Events in Proportion: Realistic Optimists do their best to keep difficult events and circumstances in proportion.

Is optimistic and realistic the same?

Optimism and pessimism operate on a continuum, of which the midpoint is realism. Realists explain events just as they are. Realistic optimists are cautiously hopeful of favorable outcomes, but they do as much as they can to obtain the desired results.

What does psychology say about optimism?

The positive psychology view of learned optimism is about how we interpret the world, and according to this premise, it’s not a fixed trait or part of our disposition. Instead, it can be seen as more of a strategy – an outlook that we can learn to cultivate when we start by challenging our automatic negative thoughts.

Is being realistic a good thing?

Having Realistic Expectations Could Make You Happier Than Being Over-Optimistic. There are fairly good arguments for optimism and pessimism both. According to a study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, being realistic about your life outcomes is likely to make you happier than overestimating them.

Is naive optimism good?

Naïve Optimism can most easily be defined as a belief that good outcomes are more likely (and bad outcomes less likely) in any situation.

Is being realistic good?

Why is it better to be realistic?

You’re prepared for the absolute worst, because you’re smart like that. It’s great to have an optimistic attitude, but it’s downright silly to think something positive is the only possible outcome. Being well organised and prepared actually stimulates your confidence, and as a result, your optimism.

Is optimism a personality trait?

Optimism can be defined as a stable personality trait related to positive expectations regarding future events. Thus, the definition of optimism is supported by positive expectations about future outcomes.

What’s the point of optimism?

It turns out that an optimistic attitude helps us be happier, more successful, and healthier. Optimism can protect against depression — even for people who are at risk for it. An optimistic outlook makes people more resistant to stress. Optimism may even help people live longer.

What is realistic thinking?

Realistic thinking means looking at all aspects of a situation (the positive, the negative, and the neutral) before making conclusions. In other words, realistic thinking means looking at yourself, others, and the world in a balanced and fair way.

Is it better to be realistic or optimistic?

It is better to be optimistic than realistic, because optimism affects physical health. To focus on the best in life is to experience the best that life has to offer.

How to be optimistic yet realistic?

Combine a positive attitude with an honest evaluation of the challenges you may meet along your path.

Can you be both optimistic and realistic?

Being both optimistic and realistic, i.e. combining the two into one behavioral style of realistic optimism creates a special breed of very successful people. Realistic optimists stay positive and upbeat about the future, even – and especially – if and when they recognize the challenges ahead.

Is optimistic positive?

Optimism is a mental attitude reflecting a belief or hope that the outcome of some specific endeavor, or outcomes in general, will be positive, favorable, and desirable.