Why I Don’t Really Trust Optimistic People

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”

How optimistic are you? (On a scale of 1-10)

Is it just me or does it seem like all the self-help, religious, and business books these days seem to make optimism the “be-it-all” when it comes to success and achievement in life, business, and ministry?

“Hi, my name is Chance, and I’m a recovering optimist.”

I don’t really really trust optimistic people and I think you should be cautious of them too (read this entire article to understand why you shouldn’t believe all the hype either).

Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve written about the 7 Toxic Relationships That Will Ruin Your Success & Drain Your Energy, where I cautioned my readers to beware of pessimism. Pessimists bemoan every situation as worse than it really is. They are dream-killers because the have no faith in what could be or will be. They’re doubters and fear-mongers in disguise.

But I’m also skeptical of outright optimism and how much press so-called optimists receive. After all:

Optimistic People Are Not All That We Make Them Out To Be!

Before your stone me on that one, consider:

Though optimists are positive thinkers, they often over promise and under deliver, leaving the team discouraged.
Because optimists are so results focused, they are often depressed and lack empathy.
Do you think that companies like Atari, Polaroid, Borders, and Circuit City didn’t have optimistic leaders at their helm?
I’m sure the folks at Enron, AIG, Kodak, and WorldCom were optimistic in their own perception of their failing businesses.

The problem though is that their optimism was not sprinkled with a dose of realism. And if you’re not careful, your ‘optimism’ can make you delusional. That’s why the Business Insider, 24/7 Wall Street, and the Huffington Post carry special features about top brands that will soon disappear or that have already sunk.

Like these well-known optimistic people, if you’re not careful, you can ignore the reality of things as they truly are because you don’t want to face to the facts. To admit there are problems helps you to find solutions. If you can’t admit you’re overweight, you may never lose unwanted fat and keep making excuses such as you’re big-boned or I’m just that way.

How many people are in terrible relationships because they would not face the reality of their partner is just who they are and they simply will not change? How many people have clearly outgrown their present job or ministry but are afraid to move on?

The same goes for money. Your current career will not all of a sudden pay you more nor will you become debt free if you keep spending and living beyond your means. Why not monetize your skills by leveraging your education, expertise, and experiences instead?

Instead of being purely optimistic, become a Realist-Optimist.

This is the person who can see situations for what they truly are and make optimistic decisions in light of reality versus pie-in-the-sky mumbo jumbo. They are realistic but have positive faith, backed by consistent action, even when faced with apparent impossible circumstances.

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines Realism as:

“The quality of a person who understands what is real and possible in a particular situation and is able to deal with problems in an effective and practical way.”

Based on those definitions, how much of a realist are you? (On a scale of 1-10)

Submit your answer below and leave your comments or wisdom about optimistic people or about being a realist. Thanks for reading.

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