‘Chapter 09: Happy People are Optimists’

‘For myself I am an optimist – it does not seem to be much use being anything else.’ – Sir Winston Churchill

Often, the happiest people are those who have the ability to generate alternative points of view. This means seeking a better view of the world or better way of doing things. Alternatives of perception create different actions and reactions. Things that would normally be seen as a problem may even be seen as a benefit. Additionally, being able to perceive situations differently allows us to understand other people and solve disagreements.

Victor Frankl, author of the book Man’s Search for Meaning was held prisoner in a concentration camp during World War II. As people died around him, Victor realised that he had to change his perception of the situation from one of meaningless punishment to a challenge in which he must survive and teach others what he has learnt. From talking to others in the camp, Victor discovered that the survivors held the same perspective, whereas the negative thinkers lost their resolve to live.

Being optimistic resulted in success for my friend, Tim. Tim started working as salesperson for a company in Adelaide. He planned to move to Sydney on a high income within a couple of years, but he was shy and had never been trained in sales.

The first six months proved very difficult. The company’s management concluded that Tim’s shyness was affecting his work and that he would not be able to improve quickly enough. They stopped giving him work to do and suggested that he leave the company. Because he was being paid a commission, he was earning no income.

Feeling positive, however, Tim set out to do his own personal best. He saw the steep learning curve as being an exciting challenge. People wondered how he could be so upbeat all the time. He started finding his own work and developing his own strategies. After he had been working in the company for two years, a branch was opened in Sydney and Tim was sent over as one of the senior managers for the branch.