A Commentary by Victor Perton
"Optimism is a mindset that leads to success in our lives. Optimistic people are self-reliant and content, and take responsibility for their own successes and failures. This opens the door to future growth and prosperity. We optimists think creatively, by challenging the status quo and being infectiously happy."
That's what Dr Binod Atreya told me when I asked what made him optimistic.
Binod is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BFIN, the Banking, Finance, and Insurance Institute of Nepal. I am looking to join him in December to discuss optimistic leadership.
Dr Atreya’s reflection reminds us that success does not come from chance. It grows through responsibility. Optimism encourages us to claim both achievement and error as part of our learning and growth. Those who accept this responsibility build stronger character, clearer purpose, and greater momentum. They create futures by shaping their present with courage and confidence.
Equally uplifting is his insight into happiness. Joy is not a fleeting emotion; it is a practice. It is choosing to meet each day with lightness and warmth. Optimists are often happy not because life is always easy, but because they choose to see possibilities in every moment. In a world that too often leans into cynicism, joyful leadership is revolutionary. It lifts others, inspires belief, and opens the heart to what is possible.
Talking about his teaching style, Binod told me, “When I teach, I always encourage delegates to be optimistic in their behaviour. Rather than discussing past unsuccessful stories, I encourage them to look forward since the world is full of opportunities. It is up to us how much we can explore!!! Learn from the past and move forward with positive vibration."