Purpose and Optimism: The Optimists

Purpose and optimism are deeply intertwined to create fulfilling and resilient lives.

A clear sense of purpose provides the "why" that fuels motivation, while optimism ignites the belief that these goals are attainable, even when faced with adversity.

As the Optimism Principle states, "The answer to life's most pressing questions is optimism." This principle emphasizes that optimism transforms purpose into action, enabling individuals and organizations to overcome challenges and create a better future. Optimism fosters resilience during tough times and enriches the joy of achieving purposeful goals​​.

The Optimism Effect, as highlighted in research by the University of Sydney, demonstrates how optimism serves as a catalyst for innovation and productivity. This effect proves that optimism, particularly in leadership and decision-making, creates a fertile environment for action and progress. As Jane Ollis, former Chair of the Kent Institute of Directors, puts it, "Optimism draws you into the future. It puts you in the right space to create compelling purposeful visions..." By envisioning a better tomorrow and remaining hopeful, individuals and teams can align their actions with their purpose, ensuring their efforts are meaningful and impactful​​.

Reflecting on your own experiences, how has optimism helped you align with and achieve your purpose? How can you inspire others to use optimism to strengthen their sense of purpose?

Denise Allen

"Optimism is the light in one's heart and mind that brings joy and purpose into our lives. But without having the courage of your convictions, principles, ethics, tolerance, compassion and love for others this light will only flicker and eventually fade."

Rik Schnabel

 "Optimism is knowing that there is a grander purpose in everything."

Onisha Patel, structural biologist and artist at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and a Superstar of STEM with Science & Technology Australia

 "For me, optimism begins with trying something new and see where it takes you. Regardless of the outcome, it gives you a purpose and a sense of empowerment. Along the way, it is always good to look out for others and make them feel the same."

Dr Steve Weitzenkorn, Co-author, The Catalyst Effect

"Great leaders, regardless of their role or title, invigorate with optimism to achieve extraordinary results. Optimistic leadership has the power to galvanize — to catalyze — and be a force for driving an organization to new heights, turning performance around, and rebuilding momentum. 

"Extensive research has shown that optimism generates purposeful energy, creative thinking, and a drive for results. It propels and creates a belief in great possibilities. Intel cofounder Robert Noyce said optimism is “an essential ingredient of innovation. How else can the individual welcome change over security, adventure over staying in safe places?” Invigorating with Optimism, one of the 12 competencies described in The Catalyst Effect, conveys a can-do spirit. Can’t-do advocates are quick to cite reasons why something cannot be accomplished and why efforts to try are a waste of time and energy. If naysayers had prevailed, people would have never landed on the moon; laparoscopic surgery that reduces body trauma, pain, scarring, and recovery time would not have been developed; and you wouldn’t have a smartphone in your pocket or bag. All of these, and far more, came about because optimists believed they were possible — which triggered high-energy, catalytic undertakings that brought them to fruition.

"Central to Invigorating with Optimism is the strong and shared belief that a team or organization can rise to great heights, whether from great depths or the middle of the pack, and excel with its own winning formula."

Jane Ollis, then Chair, Kent Institute of Directors

 “Optimism draws you into the future. It puts you in the right space to create compelling purposeful visions, how to achieve them and then, the icing on the cake, it supplies you with the positive energy and drive you need to deliver them. Like a gentle wind pushing you from behind it steers you around obstacles as they appear in your path and keep you focussed on where you are heading.”

John Salter, Disaster Resilience Consultant

"What makes me optimistic? That humans can exercise free will guided by purpose. History is threaded with struggles - at all levels, from individuals to global efforts - to achieve. That freedom often generates a struggle between opposites, but that is the dialectic we all move forward with."

Deborah Biber, Chief Executive of AustCham ASEAN.

 “Optimism enables growth and forward movement. Without it, we wither. With it, we create purpose and value.”

Kathy Archer, Leadership Development Coach

"The most important thing in life is a sense of purpose; having that sense of purpose brings joy and happiness. This requires both hope and optimism, as hope is the belief that tomorrow will be better than today, the confidence that you have the agency to make it happen, and the ability to come up with multiple pathways to reach your goals. Optimism, in turn, is a key contributor to hope and joy, as it helps us to see the world in a positive light and to believe in the possibility of good things happening. Ultimately, hope, optimism, and joy are closely connected, and all are essential for a healthy, happy and meaningful life."

James Macmillan, Director at PwC Australia

 "I truly believe there is no motion without emotion and that 'I live what I believe I am'. That is, where my focus goes my energy will flow. Therefore, I believe in being an optimistic leader focussed on positive outcomes, clear on purpose and pumped about why those outcomes matter.  From there results will always follow."

Repa Patel, Executive Coach and Yoga Teacher

"When a leader engages the hearts and minds of their team by articulating the deeper impact of their work, it connects to a higher purpose and provides meaning and optimism beyond economic transactions."

Chris Botha, Economic Development

"Optimistic leadership starts with a choice, a choice everyone is given every time they walk into their office, workplace, home, sports ground, cultural venue or public space. That choice is to always engage with your fellow humans with a real curiosity and interest. Always remind yourself that everyone else has many stories to tell and by listening and engaging with those stories we make them realise that they have a narrative and a purpose. It encourages them and makes them believe in themselves. Their stories also make your own life more interesting; it makes you realise the capabilities and resilience of the people around you and it also makes you more confident about what you are capable of."

Diann Rodgers-Healey, Director, Australian Centre for Leadership for Women

"Optimism is believing in the greatness of humanity and its potential to reach heights for the greater good. It is knowing that one has endless inner resources that one can draw upon when needed to transform barriers. My case for optimism is linked to purpose and integrity as each of the three are intertwined in clarifying and persisting a way forward."

Frances van Ruth, Australian Trade and Investment Commission Head of Investment - Europe, UK and the Middle East

 "People make me optimistic. When smart, capable, determined people come together with a common purpose, incredible things can happen (and have happened). Optimism is a virtuous circle, a self-fulfilling prophecy, and is indeed infectious. After 2 ½ years of COVID, optimism is something I'd much rather spread and catch."

Adam Bowcutt, Psychologist

“Optimism must be the foundation of strategy because the power of collective confidence helps create sustained energy and momentum. Consistent high performance is a result of an optimistic and purposeful vision of the future."

Sue Barrett, Author of the “Selling Better Manifesto"

 “It all starts with opportunity. Opportunity makes it possible to do good things. Optimism is ignited when real opportunities for growth and prosperity become clear to us. Different from blind optimism, Purposeful Optimism is built on substance: derived from strategy and underpinned by well-resourced people who are enabled to pursue opportunity and do something meaningful with others. Optimism keeps the light of opportunity glowing even when the world seems dark.“

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Editorial Board

 "We must dig for gratitude. Researchers are uncovering links between feeling grateful and expressing gratitude and other positive emotions, including joy and optimism. This can also correlate with a greater sense of purpose in life; higher quality, mutually supportive relationships; and lower levels of negative emotions including shame and depression."

Paul Polman, then CEO of Unilever

“The future lies in the hands of the younger generation and that gives me huge cause for optimism.  Wherever I go in the world, the young people I meet are engaged with the issues and challenges we face and focussed on finding solutions.  Above all, they are driven by a deep sense of purpose.  They may only represent 50% of today, but fortunately young people are 100% of tomorrow, and that is reason to celebrate.”

Professor Roy Green, University of Technology Sydney

"I share with Antonio Gramsci an optimism of the will combined with pessimism of the intellect. There is no point in optimism unless it has some basis in reality, but likewise there is no point in the intellect unless it is directed towards a wider human purpose."

Grand Master Akshar

"Home is where you head to at the end of each day for your peace and comfort. Your family is the source of solace and joy and adds meaning to your life. And Yoga can give us a sense of purpose in our lives filling it with hope and optimism. When you bring the two together, it makes the perfect recipe for health, love and happiness."

Glenn Buesnel-May, Leadership Expert

“In geo-strategic terms, staying optimistic about the future is getting tough. I think the answer to pessimism is local, even private action. Putting your hands and heart into meaningful, social pursuits can give focus and a sense of purpose that enriches personal optimism and community capital. There's a tonne of studies that show how social pursuit and volunteering supports emotional health. No doubt a focus on helping and leading others can build optimism and enlighten any dark prognosis of the future.”

Laila El-Haddad, Palestinian author 

"The optimist and the Muslim in me, the person of faith in me, must believe there is always a purpose and hope to be derived from even the darkest and most desperate of situations." (2024)

Read more of these inspiring quotable quotes in "Optimism: The How and Why" by Victor Perton, CEO of The Centre for Optimism.