WEEKLY WISDOM - OPTIMISTIC

Optimistic: hopeful and confident about the future.

The glass is always half full, not half empty! Your perspective on life can determine your trajectory in life. If you know me, you know that I have always been an optimist in life. Even though I was not born with a silver spoon to stir the contents in the glass, I still saw the contents in the glass as half full and that gave me something to work with. Something in me knew that in the glass was growth potential.

There have been studies that support an optimistic perspective in life. Here are some of those optimistic statistics provided by verywellmind.com. It was an article written by Derrick Carpenter titled “5 Unbelievable facts about optimist”.

Here are the five facts in summary.

1.    Optimists live longer. They have lower rates of hypertension, heart disease and risk of cancer. They tend to exercise more, sleep better, eat healthier, and refrain from smoking.

2.    Optimists have better love lives. They have higher quality and longer-lasting romantic relationships. Cooperative problem-solving is one element that results in positive and happy relations.

3.    Optimists are more successful. Optimists are resilient on the job. Optimists are seen to be more charismatic, are more likely to persists until their goal is achieved and may find it easier to shake off a bad outcome.

4.     Optimists take fewer sick days. They get sick less often and get back to work more quickly. They have stronger immune systems and experience faster wound healing.

5.      Optimists bounce back faster and stronger. They may use failure as fuel to perform even better in the future. It can also protect you from burnout.

https://www.verywellmind.com/unbelievable-facts-about-optimists-1717551

As for your leadership, you can influence your staff, colleagues, company employees, clients, and culture. Your mind-set, words, and actions matter. In every engagement you can provide life-giving hope for all when the situation is negative.

Evaluate your mindset, words, and actions over the next week to see if your perspective is half-full or half-empty. Check to see if the time you spend thinking about your team and leadership is focused on how to improve or more about complaining and dissatisfaction. When challenges arise, do you bring to the table only the challenges or do you bring options and potential solutions to resolve the challenges?

The following scripture speaks to the essence of my soul and commands me to have a focused mind-set, use life-giving words, and execute positive actions that provide promised results. This scripture is the silver spoon used to stir the contents in the glass!

Colossians 1:9-12 ESV

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks[d] to the Father, who has qualified you[e] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Use this scripture as your spoon to stir the challenged contents in your glass and watch the glass go from half full to overflowing!

 (EQUIPPING)

Exercise Your Power this week! 

1.       Determine how your language can be more optimistic even when you are giving constructive feedback.

2.        Determine a strategy on how your mindset can become more optimistic in life.

3.       Identify an issue that you see as half-empty and how you can see it as half-full.