Updated on: Saturday, June 01, 2019, 03:01PM IST

Optimism, A Key To Success

The more optimistic you are, the more creative you can be. With optimistic attitude, one can generate new ideas and create possibilities to move forward faster than at normal times. In fact, a determined effort to cultivate optimism can improve the quality of life, ensure happiness and success. A person without optimism either becomes a routine thinker and in the end no thinker at all.

One magic word in our vocabulary is “How”. Asking ‘how’ forces us to be both positive and future-oriented with a clear vision. Asking how is like stepping on the accelerator of our mind and releasing the brakes. More we use the word how, more we can turn our vision of realities. Most of us don’t think of a long future; it is always tomorrow or day-after.

Once we think how we can make our future ideal, we become more optimistic and positive about our present. More energy and enthusiasm is generated in thinking. We become more motivated and committed. Our communication channel opens up giving more clarity and effectiveness.

Remember that ultimately what we are is a result of our thinking and actions that follow. For example, if we devote 10 minutes a day towards thinking something new, it amounts to 70 minutes a week, 280 minutes a month and 3,360 minutes a year, i.e. 56 hours a year which is nothing considering an average span of 60 years — a recipe for success is to take a dream, mix it with motivation and action, add long hours of practice and discipline, and ultimately reap a bumper harvest of never ending success.

John Paul Getty, at one time world’s richest man (now it is Bill Gates) gave 2 secrets of success. 1) Identify the worst thing that can possibly go wrong and then make sure that it does not happen. 2) Get up in the morning and say that something wonderful will happen by lunch time and if it does not happen make it happen.

To make things happen, there should be an urge of competition and the mantra is “I can do it.” We have to decide exactly what we want to do and then act as if it were impossible to fail.

– T.G.L. Iyer

1. What is the selection about?

2. Why did the writer want one to be optimistic?

3. According to the text, which is NOT a result of being optimistic?

4. Which do you think will happen if one is NOT optimistic?

5. Jim is browsing the internet for his project. Why is it necessary for him to look for biases and prejudices in the articles that he reads?