How do you always stay so positive and optimistic?

Another recurring question I often get, especially given the current state of global affairs, is: “Harry, how do you always stay so positive and optimistic?”

First of all, I must admit, I am not always positive and optimistic. However, it probably is true 90% of the time. I will try to explain how I do it.

As you may have guessed, a lot of my positive attitude comes from personal self reflection. Through my constant self reflection, I am well aware that everything is not going to go well. There will be issues, disappointments, and disagreements. We will all have sicknesses, and eventually, everyone, including ourselves will die.

However, having a strong faith and spiritual perspective, rather than getting depressed, I realize that no matter what happens, and I mean, no matter how terrible the outcome, with the help of good friends with strong values, we can haul focus on two things:

Do the right thing, rather than needing to be right
Do the best we can in the time available

As I mention to my Kellogg students, this may sound very simplistic and common sense, but it’s amazing how well it works.

There is a series of things we all spend more time on then we wish we did, and they include worry, fear, anxiety, pressure, and stress. If you wait till any of these start to , it’s almost alwaystoo late. It is easy to become overwhelmed with negative thoughts. However, if we realize thatwhen things are going well, they will not always go well. Nothing in life goes well all the time. So why not ask yourself when things are going we, what are we going to do WHEN (not if) things go bad? If you can convince yourself of this basic fact, you will be prepared to focus on the two things above. I believe you can minimize (not eliminate) worry, fear, anxiety, pressure and stress.

When I am asked whether my cup is half full or half empty, I always respond “my cup is overflowing.” As I was racing through O’Hare airport the other day, I had to stop for a few moments with a big smile on my face,as I focused on the words displayed on this sign:

Yes, there are a lot of issues in the world…… global poverty, global healthcare issues, climate concerns, political polarization, and I could go on and on.

Rather than being concerned about everything, I suggest all of us decide what can we personally do to influence what’s happening in one way or another, directly indirectly, and once again focus on these two priorities: