--- title: "Optimism Can Be Learned: Victor Perton" description: Optimism can be learned, developed and increased at any age! image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Victor%20Portrait%20Smile%20by%20Tony%20Harding.jpg --- ###### [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) ###### [Learned Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/learned-optimism) # Optimism Can Be Learned: Victor Perton ***[by Victor Perton](http://www.victorperton.com/)*** The good news?  Optimism can be learned, developed and increased at any age! Reporting in 2019 on [the link between longevity and optimism](https://thecentreforoptimism.wildapricot.org/Optimists-Live-Longer-Optimism-and-LOngevity), Professor Lewina Lee said “We know that optimism is about 25% heritable, which means that there is room to modify it.” For parents and parenting, the writer Meghan Moravcik Walbert put it well, “A person may be naturally inclined to be either pessimistic or optimistic, but there are things parents can do to encourage and strengthen the optimism muscles in their kids (and themselves).” Exercises and practices which increase and maintain optimism include [expressing gratitude](https://thecentreforoptimism.wildapricot.org/Practise-Gratitude), [using more positive language](https://thecentreforoptimism.wildapricot.org/Better-Greetings) and focusing on sharing happiness.  Accepting uncertainty is a useful way of diminishing anxiety and becoming more optimistic. [Practising meditation](https://thecentreforoptimism.wildapricot.org/Meditations-Public), yoga, exercise and spending time in beautiful places also enhance a feeling of optimism. Choose your company wisely: Surround yourself with positive people. Turn down the news!  Listen or watch it no more than once a day. [A very useful exercise is a writing exercise called "Your Best Possible Self".](https://thecentreforoptimism.wildapricot.org/Your-Best-Possible-Self) The science of neuroplasticity shows that our brains constantly make new connections and we strengthen positive neural networks by looking for the positives in life and by deliberately cultivating optimistic thoughts and words. [![Try our Animated Habits of an Optimist Course](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/4d0f2d35-e031-47ca-8349-c1c1c8af6c73.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/4d0f2d35-e031-47ca-8349-c1c1c8af6c73)   [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 ###### [Learned Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/learned-optimism) #### [Practicing Learned Optimism with Jessica Koehler](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/jessica?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/jessica?hsLang=en) ###### [Learned Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/learned-optimism) , ###### [Positive Psychology](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/positive-psychology) #### [Practising Learned Optimism - Shifting your Mindset can Boost Wellbeing](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/koelher?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/koelher?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? - Our Advisory board ##### Our Research - What makes People Optimistic? - Transformation and Change - [The Better Normal](https://thecentreforoptimism.wildapricot.org/The-Better-Normal) - Strategy and Optimism ##### Join Us - Become a Patron - Join the Optimism Movement - Volunteer ##### [Services](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop?hsLang=en) - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - The Optimism Roundtable - Beacons Of Optimism Workshop - [The Habits of an Optimist](https://www.projectoptimism.com.au/courses/optimism-can-be-learnt-the-habits-of-an-optimist/) ##### The Centre for Optimism - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - Why be Optimistic? - Our Advisory board ##### Our Research - What makes People Optimistic? - Transformation and Change - [The Better Normal](https://thecentreforoptimism.wildapricot.org/The-Better-Normal) - Strategy and Optimism ##### Join Us - Become a Patron - Join the Optimism Movement - Volunteer ##### Services - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - The Optimism Roundtable - Beacons Of Optimism Workshop - [The Habits of an Optimist](https://www.projectoptimism.com.au/courses/optimism-can-be-learnt-the-habits-of-an-optimist/) ©2026 The Centre for Optimism - Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Victor Perton", "url" : "https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton" }, "dateModified" : "2022-10-24T10:05:00.889Z", "datePublished" : "2022-10-24T10:05:00.000Z", "headline" : "Optimism Can Be Learned: Victor Perton", "image" : [ "https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Victor%20Portrait%20Smile%20by%20Tony%20Harding.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/learnedoptimism", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg" }, "name" : "The Centre for Optimism" } } ```