The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Now imagine if you expected yourself to succeed at work, do you think this would cause you to work harder? What if you expected your marriage to fail, would you self-sabotage without realizing it just to prove yourself right? We are not actually predicting anything we are altering our own behaviors in order to make those expectations a reality. On the other side of that, a pessimistic teacher may expect a student to perform poorly so they don’t pay them much attention in class which results in a lower grade. We like to know we are right and often encounter self-fulfilling prophecies, which simply means we alter our behavior and thought patterns in order to cause those self-expectations to come true.įor example, an optimistic teacher expects a student to get an A on the exam so they spend extra time helping them study which results in them getting an A. Anxiety disorders hold people back from going after their dreams because they are so afraid to fail that they don’t even try.Īn optimist is more likely to pursue their ambitions because of their positive outlook they see opportunity and believe they can achieve it. If we think about anxiety, we can summarize that as fear of the unknown which can hinder someone’s ability to function when not controlled. I am not advocating for grandiose illusions that you will become a millionaire overnight and have the perfect marriage all because you chose to see the glass as half-full, that is not realistic. Ideally you should strive for optimistic thought patterns that are also rational. It is healthy to be logical and acknowledge risks associated with your actions. This is not to say that we should be unrealistic and always expect rainbows and kittens, sometimes hardships will come into your life. Focusing on that end result and having patience is more beneficial than focusing on the hardship. We know that even a test or difficulty can have great reward and outcomes in the end. While that can be true to an extent, if you actively try to bring optimism into your life it gives you more resilience when faced with hardship. Some will say that being optimistic opens people up for disappointment and greater let downs. This cycle of positive thought patterns and emotions will undoubtedly lead to better behaviors. This all describes positive thinking patterns which in turn makes your emotions more stable.