When Optimism is Delusional
There are numerous reasons to practice optimism over pessimism. Research shows that there is no doubt that optimism is a better belief system than pessimism. While it may be amazing to think about, it’s a fact that your mind can create expectations that bend reality to what it thinks. This is why optimism is so helpful. As the famous quote often attributed to Henry Ford reminds us:
Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.
Unquestionably, using the mindset of an optimist has the power to change your life. Unless you are really not being an optimist and instead are being delusional. Specifically, when you have no plan, no ideas, no tactics, and no strategy to achieve the outcome you are being optimistic about, you are not being an optimist.
Optimism requires a foundation of proof. Moreover, this foundation of proof must be based on things you have done and things you can control. You can’t control luck, chance, or fairness. So, these things don’t make you an optimist. Not that there is anything wrong with thinking positive about your luck, chance, or fairness, as this is part of the puzzle of being an optimist as well.
However, using things you don’t control as your only source of optimism without any effort, ideas, tactics, strategy, or planning is a huge blunder. One that overtime will cause you more harm than good. For more details on why, I suggest reading this article where I cite Jim Collins and Admiral James B. Stockdale from the book Good to Great.
To conclude, never forget that being optimistic about things you don’t control is not optimism, it’s being delusional. That is just as bad as being a pessimist. Avoid both mindsets and you will be better off for it.