Surround Yourself with Optimists: Spend Time with Optimism Boosters

By Victor Perton

Optimism, like pessimism, is infectious. Therefore, it is essential to maximise your time spent with optimistic people to cultivate a positive outlook and improve your overall well-being. Optimists generally attract other optimists, creating a virtuous circle of positivity and joy. When you surround yourself with individuals who fill your glass of optimism, you set yourself up for a life enriched with happiness and contentment.

Optimistic people are more than just good company. Their conversations and presence can significantly boost your mental health and well-being. Being around them reduces stress and anxiety, promoting joy, happiness and contentment. In contrast, pessimistic individuals can sap your energy and dampen your spirits. While it's sometimes unavoidable to spend time with such people—be they family, old friends, or work colleagues—it's crucial to balance these interactions by seeking out the company of optimists.

To make the most of your interactions with others, lead conversations with positive questions. Before attending gatherings, prepare by thinking of positive stories you have recently heard or read. This proactive approach will help steer conversations towards uplifting and inspiring topics.

Several thought leaders and successful individuals have shared their insights on the importance of surrounding oneself with optimistic people. "True North" Professor Bill George from Harvard Business School attributes his optimism to the inherent goodness of people and being surrounded by positive, optimistic individuals. Paul Wheelton AM KSG credits his business success to associating only with positive people, advising to avoid the "glass half empty" crowd who drain energy and stifle imagination. Laura Kuhar from Rio Tinto shared, "I was always told to think positively and to stick around positive people, so optimism is mostly a state of mind for me. Sometimes though, optimism is a choice - it is not always easy to find an element of good in the worst situations, but it is possible, even if I have to look really hard!" Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, highlights the importance of surrounding oneself with grounded and optimistic individuals.

Our Advisory Board Member, John Hagel, offers a compelling perspective: "There are two types of people in the world - energy drainers and energy amplifiers. Optimistic people are energy amplifiers, especially if their optimism comes from the passion of the explorer. The more optimistic people connect with each other, the more energy they can generate together - it will go exponential."

To actively incorporate this principle into your life, list the most optimistic people you know. If they are nearby, arrange to meet them for coffee, ideally with three or four people around the table to spark engaging and positive conversations. If far away, call them by phone or engage via social media.

Here are a few exercises to help you embrace the habit of surrounding yourself with optimistic people:

Exercise: List the most optimistic people you know. Take a moment to write down the names of the most optimistic people in your life. Reach out to them and organise a get-together to foster a circle of positive influence.
Exercise: Reflect on the Importance of OptimismWrite a paragraph or sentence explaining why it is important to surround yourself with optimistic people and how their presence impacts your mental and emotional well-being.

Optimism is not just about maintaining a positive attitude; it's about choosing the right company to help sustain and amplify that positivity. By consciously surrounding yourself with optimists, you create a support system that encourages growth, joy, and resilience. So, choose your company wisely and let the infectious nature of optimism elevate your life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, surrounding yourself with optimistic people is a powerful strategy for enhancing mental and emotional well-being. Optimistic individuals are energy amplifiers, boosting your spirits and helping you maintain a positive outlook even in challenging times. By consciously choosing to spend time with optimism boosters, you create a virtuous circle of positivity and joy that enriches your life and the lives of those around you. So, take the initiative to identify the optimists in your life, engage with them, and let their infectious optimism inspire and uplift you. Remember, as John Hagel aptly put it, "The more optimistic people connect with each other, the more energy they can generate together - it will go exponential." Embrace the power of optimism and watch as it transforms your world.

Some More Perspectives

Dr Wendy Patrick

"We are drawn to people who make us feel happy, hopeful, and optimistic, and when they are gone, we want to see them again."

Sam Knight, World Commerce & Contracting Global Council Member

“Being positive and optimistic inspires others. It creates ideas and drives collaboration and thought-sharing. I aim to be an optimist and surround myself with optimists. We are the people who can face a challenge head-on and come up with multiple options to make the best of any situation."

Tony Harding, Photographer

"Embracing optimism and strength of will over adversity can be a game-changer for us and our colleagues - to enable us to achieve our goals in life. I recommend we embrace optimism champions and role models as part of our journey in life."

Sharyn County, General Manager Procurement and Real Estate,

"What makes me optimistic is people: Meeting, working with and leading passionate, motivated people. Seeing those I lead and have led be successful and creating a safe environment that takes into account the differences in people to enable this."

Gönül Serbest, Commissioner for Victoria (Australia) to Europe, Middle East, Türkiye and Africa

"Optimism is magnetic - anything is possible when you attract positive energy and people through the right mindset."

Louise Scott Heatley, World Commerce and Contracting

"Striving to see the positive, surrounding myself with like-minded people and being grateful for all that I have makes my life so much happier and more optimistic than ever!"

Mary Berry, Communities of Respect

“What makes me optimistic? Being surrounded by amazing people who work selflessly to help others and pave futures of opportunity, inclusion, resilience and strength within our communities."

Khurram Khani, Senior Associate, Risk Execution at NAB

"I feel optimistic because there are still fantastic people around us who are resilient, positive and optimistic. These individuals are the community's spine and play a dynamic role in mentoring youth like me in the right direction. They are the same individuals who volunteer their time and efforts to give back to their local communities and future generations."

Gary Gopinathan, Executive Director, The John Maxwell Team

"As an entrepreneur and leader, I find optimism through surrounding myself with positivity and positive people.”

Christalla Jamil, Headteacher, Eastfield Primary

"By having faith and helping others, my optimism grows because I am thankful. I try to surround myself with positive people, and whatever life throws at me, I seek solutions."

Maria Govers, Director Business Operations at GenWest

“I like being optimistic and being surrounded by optimism. Optimism creates positive energy and inspires me to find solutions and opportunities. As a leader, I find myself using positive energy created by my optimism to inspire, lead the way and make work fun empowering the team to find solutions and opportunities."

Maureen Metcalf, Author and Radio Host

“Optimism is the fuel that powers our vision and aspirations. The combination of worth vision, passion and optimism make almost anything possible. During challenging times, by surrounding ourselves with people who possess this combination we will find joy in the struggles and create a positive outcome, even if not what was originally planned.”

Alison Rowe,

“I’m an optimist and have surrounded myself with action-driven optimistic people to provide more opportunity to all and especially those who are disadvantaged.”

Matt Lanigan

"I surround myself with positive energy, this is not to say I don’t like to be challenged, however, a healthy debate can also have positive energy. I attract positive energy to create an optimistic outlook and outcomes."

Lee Tonitto, CEO of the Australian Council of Professions

"I believe optimism is in my nature. I surround myself with positive people. I try everyday to value the small things. I support other people. I laugh everyday."

Yusra Munir

“Being part of a community or group is a great way to keep optimistic and motivated as you can see what you’ve achieved together, for example how many trees have been planted...

“Being optimistic increases resilience when coming up against something that seems impossible to solve. Having hope and positivity for the future will in turn decrease anxiety and depression.”

Dave Buettner, founder of the Blue Zones Projects,

“We know that behaviours are measurably contagious, People in Blue Zones are living longer and are happier than most of us as a result of their environment. Rather than sign up for some positive psychology class, proactively make a friend who you know is positive and optimistic. For every new happy person, you add to your network, your own happiness goes up."

Anil Dash, CEO of Glitch

“If you can trust in a community, and you can trust in your ability to express yourself, and you can trust in having a safe place to share your ideas, that gives you space to be optimistic,. It gives you space to have some hope to think you have something to share when the ground is shifting under you and you can’t take people at their word.”

Angel Chernoff in 9 Ways to Become an Optimist

"You are only as good as the company you keep. If you’re around gloomy people, there’s a good chance you won’t be smiling. Make it your mission to dodge negativity. Surround yourself with supportive friends who have positive outlooks. As they say, if you want to soar with the eagles, you have to stop hanging out with the ducks.

"Optimism is a learned habit, and it is positively contagious. Surround yourself with people who could infect you with positivity. In turn pass your new good mood on to a friend or stranger in words and deed – let somebody have that parking space, let that person with only a few items cut in front of you at the market. The simple act of doing something nice for others is actually a good pick-me-up all by itself."

Bedros Keuilian, Fit Body Boot camp

“Only share your big dreams, ambitions, and goals with the people in your life who are positive, optimistic, and have similar ambitions. Those are the people who will encourage, motivate, and inspire you to become the best version of yourself.”

Dr Uzma IqBal, Cardiologist

“You can increase your optimism level if you surround yourself with positive people."

Wani Wall,

"What makes me optimistic? I am a fortunate person, surrounded by creative and determined people who love solving problems; when they nail it, the joy is infectious, and when they don’t succeed, rather than dwell on the ‘failure’, they seek the next juicy problem. This makes me optimistic and inspires me to keep climbing those mountains."

Don Tomasulo in "The 7 Thinking Habits of High-Hope People"

"High-hope people are those who surround themselves with positive people. This is one way they help to keep a positive mindset. This doesn’t mean they cannot tolerate someone’s difficulties, negativity, or struggle. But it does mean that they tend to spend more time associating with people who share an optimistic and proactive attitude."

Dan Tomasulo in "How the Positivity Effect Can Transform Your Life"

"Surrounding yourself with positive people and experiences is one of the most effective ways to harness the power of positivity. When you are surrounded by people who radiate 🔆positivity, it becomes easier for you to adopt the same mindset. You begin to see the world through a more #optimistic lens and start to believe that good things are possible."

Giang Cao Ho My, Founder of Mind Flower in Equanimity: How to Stand out with a Perfectly Still Mind

"Choose Friends who Stay Cool: It sounds anodyne. But surrounding yourself with friends of positive energy can help you train yours. Positivity helps you remain more balanced when faced with difficult situations. Imagine, meeting a friend around a coffee who does not stop complaining about everything? I believe you’d prefer sitting with someone who is full of joy and optimism. Believe me, as social beings, we are influenceable. Joy and positivity are contagious. Why not practicing to be yourself a source of positive energy for your friends?"

John Hall, in "Cultivating an Abundance Mindset: From Scarcity to Prosperity"

"Surround yourself with positive people. We form our beliefs and thoughts based on the people we spend time with. As such, surround yourself with people who embrace abundance. You’ll get inspired by their optimism and can-do spirit."

Irene O'Garden

"Opt for healthy connection. Disaster can strike. Humans can behave badly. But when we persistently focus on the worst, we pickle ourselves in damaging stress hormones which undermine our health and cloud our judgment. Extreme pessimism makes us want to disconnect from the human race itself — which is not good for us or for the human race. As the pandemic reminds us, human life is ultimately about connection. When we find ourselves spinning off into Gloomtown, connection puts us back on track. Wander in nature or the neighborhood. Visit with a friend virtually or physically. Help a cause or organization you believe in. If you are feeling solitary, connect with your emotions in vigorous movement or pour them out on a page."

Habits of an Optimist

During the COVID lockdown, Noirin Mosley, Jenny Boymal, and I developed an animated program called "The Habits of an Optimist." Our ideas on the practice and value of the habits have continued to develop, and we commend trying any of these for a week:

Smile and Say Hello: Start your day with a genuine smile and greet everyone you meet.
Infectiously Optimistic Greetings: Use cheerful greetings like "What's the best thing happening for you?"
Surround Yourself with Optimistic People: Spend time with people who boost your optimism.
Ask "What Makes Me Optimistic?": Regularly reflect on and write down what makes you optimistic.
Ask Others What Makes Them Optimistic: This can lift your spirits and theirs.
Practise Gratitude: Actively thank people and keep a gratitude journal.
Laugh More: Laughter boosts your immune system and reduces stress.
Think Like an Optimist: Challenge negative thoughts and focus on positive outcomes.
Daydream and Visualise: Visualise your best possible self and future.
Use the Language of Optimism: Incorporate positive words and phrases into your speech and writing.
Write, Share, and Display Positive Affirmations: Regularly write and share positive affirmations.
Manage Your Time Wisely: Focus on activities that bring joy, cultivate optimism, and align with your mission.
Reduce Reliance on Negative News: Limit exposure to negative news and seek out positive stories.
Share Stories of Hope and Optimism: Actively share positive and hopeful stories with others.
Forgive and Forget: Let go of grudges and focus on positive aspects.
Learn Continuously: Embrace lifelong learning and stay curious.
Be Compassionate: Show kindness and understanding to others.
Do Some Yoga: Engage in yoga to improve optimism and mental and physical well-being.
Meditate: Practise meditation to cultivate a calm and positive mindset.
Seek Out Activities That Bring You Joy: Actively participate in activities that make you happy.
Do Someone Else a Favour: Perform acts of kindness to boost your and others' positivity.
Accept That the World is Chaotic: Embrace the chaos and find stability within yourself.
Go to Beautiful Places: Get out into nature and breathe in the fresh air and beautiful vistas.

Written by Victor Perton

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Surround Yourself with Optimists: Spend Time with Optimism Boosters