---
title: Brilliant People Optimistic for The Circular Economy
description: "I was interviewed by a Yarra Valley Water graduate program, and they asked me how to change my colleagues' mindset in relation to the \"circular economy\". "
image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Business%20man%20looking%20at%20wall%20with%20a%20bright%20question%20mark%20concept.jpeg
---

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###### [Circular Economy](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/circular-economy)

# Brilliant People Optimistic for The Circular Economy

<https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/brilliant-people-optimistic-for-the-circular-economy>

by Victor Perton (26 May 2020)

Yesterday I was interviewed by brilliant people in a Yarra Valley Water graduate program, and they asked me how to change my colleagues' mindset in relation to the "circular economy". 

I reminded them of Gandhi's most famous insight, which is essentially the only person you can change is yourself.  I shared the insights of John Hagel from "The Power of Pull".

I asked them to share what makes them optimistic.  As action people, they not only responded within a day, they had already asked others and infected them with optimism.

**To the question, ["what makes you optimistic?"](https://thecentreforoptimism.wildapricot.org/Why-do-I-ask-about-Optimism)**

Kyle: “I choose to look at the positives around me and believe in the good of others. I try to [surround myself ](https://thecentreforoptimism.wildapricot.org/Surround-Yourself-with-Optimists)with those who will always help me believe in myself, and my positive approach to every aspect of life”

Elise: “I see it as sunrises and sunsets, in the morning there's the excitement and promise of the day ahead and with the sunset there's the opportunity of tomorrow to go further than you did today or give it another go if today hasn't gone the way you planned.”  

Jarrad: “Knowing that every challenge can influence and create a more positive outcome.”

Jacinta: “Remembering that I have the ability to make positive change, even if it is just to one person I interact with each day.”

Nathan: “People with an energy and drive to make positive change.”

They also asked the other graduates in their group their thoughts on this question:

Josh: “Accepting that things can go wrong, but every time they do, I learn and develop for the better.”

Declan: “Being optimistic gives you a high bar to aim for and helps clearly see opportunities that can really help people.”

Shirantha: “Knowing that I can make someone's day better by putting aside any negativity I have and putting them first. Or by taking the time to learn all the things that can possibly go wrong and finding ways to work around them to hopefully ensure a better outcome.”

[![Worth Doing: Our 5-Minute Survey on "What makes you Optimistic?"](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/3fe2583c-4bf7-44c7-b2c7-b0a950f65f53.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/3fe2583c-4bf7-44c7-b2c7-b0a950f65f53)

 

 

[Written by Victor Perton](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton)

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