There is always a fine balance to strike – unrealistic views will only lead to failures, while taking charge with a wise optimism mindset can lead to excellent performance - and a suitable way out of a crisis. That’s why in times of national crisis, great leaders always do their utmost to lead their people by keeping an optimistic outlook. This is detrimental to our own individual health, and can even spell disaster within a workplace. If we are not focused on maintaining our sense of optimism amidst chaos, we risk descending into a state of apathy, even pessimism. Optimism should develop through a crisis. It encourages you to put your focus on the fullness of the glass, to see the good along with the bad, and to always be on the lookout for the silver lining in a dark cloud. Wise optimism allows you to look at a glass, and acknowledge that while it’s half empty, it’s also half full. Instead, he or she disengages from problems that appear unsolvable – then attends to those problems that can be solved. The person using wise optimism does not miss the negatives. Unlike blind or naïve optimism, wise optimism is active, not passive. We call it “wise” optimism because it is grounded in reality, meaning that it improves one’s chances of dealing with setbacks and failures. The former is known as naive optimism while the latter is what we call wise optimism. To know this, you have to first understand the important difference between “blind optimism” and “realistic optimism”. Many people are not aware that optimism is an active goal-oriented process. Sounds easy? Well, just think again about your own work or personal experiences and recall how hard it was for you to feel good or happy when the going was tough! You can view it as “half-full” or “half-empty” – therein lies your perspective of being optimistic or pessimistic. Many of us already know the optimism-pessimism analogy with the answer to the question, “How full is the glass?” “Optimism is considered to be the general attitude that fuels resilience,” notes Rasmus Hougaard, founder of Potential Project, a global research and leadership development firm. Why does optimism shine through like a beacon of light to guide people through dark, uncertain times? In fact, optimism was 2.3 times more prevalent among them than for those who saw COVID-19 for only its negative effects. Indeed, the AIA survey showed that in this group, an overwhelming 97% felt maintaining an optimistic outlook on life gave the biggest positive impact. If you already adopt at least seven of the above eight ingredients, it is likely that COVID-19 has had less of a negative impact on you. Only 15% of those surveyed believed they were adopting these key ingredients - the large majority of 85% felt they were not doing it.Ĭollaborating with some 80 experts from leading institutions, businesses and governments across the region, the AIA study had established these eight key ingredients as: Participants were asked to rate their own lives against eight positive attitudes for a life that is healthier, longer and better. The AIA study reached out to over 6,000 people across Australia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Given the new normal that we live with nowadays, AIA commissioned a unique study across the Asia-Pacific region in Dec 2020, to find out how people make a positive difference to their own lives. How to live healthier, longer and better lives in these pandemic times? We all want to know the answer to this question, not just the experts alone.
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