This Month Provides Plenty to be Optimistic About

Abington, PA, March 17, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Don’t be negative. After all, this month is National Optimism Month. With headlines in the news about job layoffs, the economic recession, the housing bubble crash and stimulus bailouts, there are plenty of things to be pessimistic about. But the fact is it is more healthy to be optimistic about the future and national keynote speaker Dana Lightman, PhD with POWER Optimism has plenty of tips to help all of us take a look at the brighter side.

“Sometimes it’s really hard to focus on the positive side of life with all of the negative external factors weighing on us,” said Lightman. “But thankfully there are always some ways to help balance out all of the negative news and actually feel optimistic and confident that things will soon turn around.”

Some of Lightman’s tips include:

Balance your media diet. Stay informed, but don’t dwell excessively on the negative. Look for the positive, feel-good stories to feed your positive attitude.
Focus on today. The past is over and the future is unknown. Life is only lived in the present. And the present is a gift.
Put problems in perspective. Look at the larger picture by finding the positive aspects of your life. Putting problems in this context makes them less overwhelming.
Create positive touchstones. When good things happen, make a conscious decision to take note of them and reflect back on the event with positive thoughts and feelings.
Take a positive time-out. Decide to intentionally take time to feel good. This might be taking a walk, exercising, noticing the birds or watching your favorite television show.
Become solution-oriented. Focusing on problems puts you on a downward spiral of negativity. Looking for solutions opens up creativity and puts you on an upward spiral.
Tackle a new goal. By taking steps to achieve something new, you focus on the positive expectation of accomplishment. Be sure to enjoy the journey as you make a difference.
Take initiative to ward off worry. Examine your worries. Look for ways you can influence the outcome and commit to taking action. Appreciate that you have done everything you can.
Find gains in difficulties. Managing a difficulty is an opportunity to learn something, such as a new skill or personal insight. Take time to find the silver lining of a learning experience.

10. Your power is in your reaction. The one thing you always have control over is how you respond to the events and situations in your life. Look for ways to react to negative news that make you feel hopeful.

“There are definitely optimistic ways to look at even the most pessimistic circumstances,” Lightman said. “The power of being optimistic can empower people and companies to dramatic new heights while everyone else is negative.”

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