--- title: "Serendipity and Optimism: Envisioning Progress and Building Happiness" description: Discover how envisioning progress and cultivating optimism can boost your happiness and inspire others around you. Serendipity, smiles, and success! image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/DALL%C2%B7E%202024-09-07%2009.14.00%20-%20A%20serene%20scene%20of%20a%20person%20walking%20through%20a%20bright%20park%2c%20smiling%20as%20they%20pass%20by%20others.%20In%20the%20background%2c%20people%20are%20sitting%20on%20benches%20under%20bloom.webp --- ###### [Check out Our latest insights on Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog) [![Centre for Optimism_Logo](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://www.centreforoptimism.com) - [Subscribe](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/subscribe) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - [The Optimism Principle](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/theoptimismprinciple) - [Need Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/services-and-workshops) - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - [Victor Perton - That Optimism Man](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/victorperton) - [Magnetic Optimism for Organisations](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/magnetic-optimism-workshops) ![Close Icon (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Close%20Icon%20(3).svg) ![Search (2)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Search%20(2).svg) ###### [Happiness](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/happiness) , ###### [Serendipity](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/serendipity) # Serendipity and Optimism: Envisioning Progress and Building Happiness Serendipity? Yesterday, I was facilitating[ a course on the Foundations of "Delivering Great Policy."](https://www.apsacademy.gov.au/courses/delivering-great-policy-foundations) I found it incredibly uplifting as I asked participants to meditate on how they would envision and communicate a vision of success for their future "great policy." Today, my friend [John Hagel](https://www.linkedin.com/article/edit/7237953373231009793/#) [tweeted a reference](https://x.com/jhagel/status/1831684064799289746) to an article by [Arthur C. Brooks](https://www.linkedin.com/article/edit/7237953373231009793/#) titled "[How to Be Manifestly Happier](https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/09/manifestation-positive-thinking-happiness/679695/?taid=66d9a9d80ab9a30001ff9d93&utm_campaign=the-atlantic&utm_content=true-anthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter)*".* I was drawn to Arthur's' advice on manifesting happiness and its connection to optimism. Arthur Brooks highlights four fundamental principles, and after my course yesterday, one resonated deeply: "*envisioning progress".* Arthur states, "You will still have setbacks and bad days. But the progress toward happiness that you envision will be very noticeable in your fundamental outlook and sense of optimism. Others will notice it as well." This perspective aligns with what I often advise: "Greet everyone with a genuine smile and an upbeat comment, and switch your regular person-to-person greeting to include "What's been the best thing in your day?" John taught me to look for serendipity through his book "[The Power of Pull"](https://www.amazon.com.au/Power-Pull-Smartly-Things-Motion/dp/0465028764) and through his personal example. So, too, my friend told me that "serendipity is such a fascinating force, one we can definitely affect but not control. One has to be in the right place and time--though one cannot entirely know what that means (though one can pretty well assume that in some situations one is just wasting one's time, and that's to be avoided.). Theodore Roosevelt, whose life included exceptionally high and low moments, explained his journey as placing himself where things were happening and then things happened." Last year, through collaboration with [The Art and Science of Joy](https://www.linkedin.com/article/edit/7237953373231009793/#), I learned to incorporate more joy into my life each day. Look for serendipity? Look out for joy? I do this daily. Do you? Brooks' approach to manifesting happiness is beautifully in sync with the "*[Optimism Principle](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/theoptimismprinciple?hsLang=en)"  *published last week: "***The**** answer to life's most pressing questions is optimism."* When we envision progress, whether in happiness, looking out for joy or "great policy", we create a pathway for personal success, become more infectiously optimistic and uplift those around us. What small changes in your life could help you begin to envision progress toward greater happiness? What small changes in your life could help you start to visualise progress toward greater optimism? "That Optimism Man" Victor Perton’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Read ["How to Be Manifestly Happier" by Arthur C Brooks](https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/09/manifestation-positive-thinking-happiness/679695/?taid=66d9a9d80ab9a30001ff9d93&utm_campaign=the-atlantic&utm_content=true-anthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter) [Read "The Optimism Principle"](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/theoptimismprinciple?hsLang=en) Read ["Delivering Great Policy - Foundations"](https://www.apsacademy.gov.au/courses/delivering-great-policy-foundations) [![What's Your Optimism Superpower?](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/3f8035eb-9a9f-49df-846d-a89cddc4fc17.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/3f8035eb-9a9f-49df-846d-a89cddc4fc17) [Written by Victor Perton](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton) ##### Keep up to date with the latest from Centre for Optimism ##### We appreciate any contribution you can make to help us spread optimism with the world [![Give Today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436) #### Here are some similar articles ###### [Australia](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australia) , ###### [Victoria](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/victoria) , ###### [Happiness](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/happiness) , ###### [Policy](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/policy) , ###### [Optimism Gap](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/optimism-gap) #### [Heading in the Right Direction?  Australia’s States and Territories?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/heading-in-the-right-direction-australias-states-and-territories?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/heading-in-the-right-direction-australias-states-and-territories?hsLang=en) ###### [Happiness](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/happiness) #### [Optimism is the Key Ingredient for Happiness](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/optimism-key-ingredient-happiness?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/optimism-key-ingredient-happiness?hsLang=en) ###### [Leadership](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/leadership) , ###### [Happiness](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/happiness) , ###### [Success](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/success) #### [Binod Atreya: Optimism is a Mindset that Leads to Success in our Lives](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/binod?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/binod?hsLang=en) ## Connect With Us ##### We love to connect with everyone who is ready to open up and share their optimisim. - [![Facebook 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Center%20of%20Optimism%20Assets/Facebook%202.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/optimistsvoices/) - [![instagram (6)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/instagram%20(6).svg)](https://www.instagram.com/centreforoptimism/?hl=en) - [![linked in 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/linked%20in%202.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/centreforoptimism/) - [![youtube (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/youtube%20(3).svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFd4GnToz3WLasQSfsz_z8w) - [![twitter](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/Centre4Optimism) #### Keep up to date with the latest from The Centre for Optimism ##### Contact Us Call Us: [+61 417 217 241](tel:+61%20417%20217%20241) (Australia) PO Box 5081, Garden City, Victoria 3207, Australia ##### [The Centre for Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - Why be Optimistic? 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