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JDHcoaching
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"Both optimists and pessimists contribute to society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute.
-G. B. Stern
Interesting thought, isn't it? Have you ever stopped to think about yourself with that quote in mind? Which best describes you and why? Often, one does not recognize how they view their own cup, but rather glean this information via feedback from those close to them. They then tend to become somewhat defensive regarding that feedback. In other words, the optimist does not wish to be labeled as a pie in the sky type of person, nor does the pessimist want to be labeled as the harbinger. Both will argue they are correct in their view; however, they just don't like the label.
How does one become a cup half-full or cup half-empty person? Maybe a better question to ask is what purpose do they both serve? The cup half-full person, or optimist, will employ a proactive cognitive component based on a rational perception of their own ability. Optimism is a true motivator towards success. Optimism serves as the fuel to discover.
A reporter went to see
Thomas Edison, and the reporter said, "Mr
Edison when are you going to give up this obsession with the
electric lamp? You
have failed over 5,000 times trying to make an electric
lamp work, and everybody knows
that gas lamps are the future"
Edison replied, "Dear chap, you are sadly misguided. I have not
failed 5,000 times, I have purely found 5,000 ways in which the electric lamp will not work,
which means I am 5,000 ways nearer to finding the solution."
The reporter organized his "facts"based solely on his perception of Edison's past failures, and thus concluded that any future attempts would only serve as an exercise in futility. Pessimism erodes confidence and increases stress. A pessimist dismisses success as a stroke of luck. Employs a cognitive component based on an irrational perception on their own, and others, abilities. Pessimism serves to eliminate motivation.
One
day, someone showed me a glass of water that was half full. And he
said, "Is it half full or half empty?" So I drank the water. No more
problem. ~Alexander Jodorowsky
Until next time, ThinkSmart!
Posted by
JDHcoaching
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Posted in
In my first post I began to address the topic of effective communication. Let's continue our exploration of this topic on a somewhat deeper level. In other words, let’s talk about why we say what we say. Take a minute to think about the last time you found yourself in a disagreement or an argument. You know, those times when you have so many feelings racing around and you want to scream, and often find yourself doing just that. In order to become a truly effective communicator you first have to recognize, as well as understand, the stories you tell yourself regarding the topic of conversation/situation. "What are you talking about?", you ask! 
Well, we all carry with us, packed away in the recesses of our subconscious, our own stories, and a set of definitions for all situations which we automatically employ when faced with those situations. A been there done that, liked it ... didn't like it approach that we are not aware we are employing. Yet, these stories directly influence how we communicate.
The majority of situations we encounter in our daily life are neutral, like clear, clean water flowing out of a faucet. They have no meaning. Yet we do not operate with that realization. Instead, we place our own filter under the faucet. This filter directly influences our thoughts, feelings and subsequent behavior when faced with a situation.
I suppose one way to look at this is why it is that some believe the glass to be half empty; while others believe it to be half full? Which are you? Do you find the positive in a situation? Or the negative? Are you quick to judge? Or are you willing to give others the benefit of the doubt? Next time we will look at what happens when a glass half full person comes face to face with a glass half empty person.
Until next time, ThinkSmart!
"I like my cup just the way it is!. Beside, what you label as pessimism I call being a realist."
