Web Workshop
Choosing Optimism as a
Philosophy of Life
A Skills Development Module
by Michel Listenberger
WEB-WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES
To learn and to recognize the choices we have in adopting
optimism as a philosophy
To learn techniques to foster positive relationships
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Workshop Overview
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Optimist Self Assessment Quiz
Promise and Commitment
Developing Self-Esteem
Sharing Optimism with Others
Your Unique Gifts
Your Mission for a better World
Sample Materials
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An Introduction to Optimism
OPTIMISM AND PESSIMISM
Pessimism: “More than at any other time in history, mankind faces
a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness.
The other, to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom
to choose correctly.” - Woody Allen
Optimism: Live a positive life and develop relationships guided by
the “Optimist Creed”
As Optimists we share a common philosophy and Creed that can
lift our spirit, can lift the spirit of others, and can ultimately
affect attitudes of all for a better World.
The acquisition of “optimism” goes beyond acceptance into any
organization. It is a journey, an endeavor to make a choice
between optimism and pessimism in every situation we face and
with every word we utter.
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I.Optimist Assessment Quiz Where are you Now?
Complete this quiz to assess your personal reaction to situations.
Usually
I am in control of my life.
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My destiny is in my own hands.
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I set goals for myself.
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I achieve my goals.
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I don’t abuse chemical substances.
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I am at my ideal weight.
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I have a positive mental attitude.
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I value the benefits of being optimistic. _____
I greet each new day with anticipation _____
I see the negatives but choose positives _____
I don’t worry about yesterday
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I don’t get angry with those close to me _____
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Sometimes Seldom
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Optimist Assessment Quiz Continued
Usually Sometimes Seldom
I am not afraid of what others might say
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Every day I welcome new challenges
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I see positive solutions in difficult situations
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I can see myself achieving the things I want
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I learn by my mistakes
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I laugh with people, not at them
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I know what I can change and what I cannot
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I recognize that I have special talents and abilities
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I appreciate my friends and tell them of their value
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I smile when I meet someone
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I feel the power of optimism working in my life
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I am happy and make other happy
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I am making our world a better place to live
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Add up your score: 2 points for each “usually”, 1 point for each “sometimes” 0 points
for “seldom.” Repeat this Self-Assessment Quiz in one month for comparison.
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What is Optimism?
What is Optimism in your view?
“the power of positive thinking?”
What is the value of Optimism to
you and to those around you?
What specifically do you like about
yourself?
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II. Choosing Optimism –
Promise and Commitment
In “Dreams and Deeds” the founders of Optimism made choices:
• Founders chose our first Optimist Club in Buffalo, NY in 1911
• Optimist International formed in 1919 Louisville
• “Optimist Creed” adopted in 1922 in Kansas City
For each of us life holds many choices. Choices can be as complex as
choosing a career or as simple as how we greet every new day.
Upon waking we can face the alarm with a smile, leap out of bed, throw
open the window sash and say, “Good morning, God,” or we can
curse the alarm, shun the new born sunlight and say, “Good God,
it’s morning.” We can choose optimism or choose pessimism.
To emphasize the fact that these choices may be conscious, pioneers of
“Positive Mental Attitude” Napoleon Hill and W. Clement Stone
consider the mind as carrying an invisible coin. The letters PMA
are emblazoned on one side, and NMA (negative mental attitude)
on the other.
Choosing “Optimism” is choice, not chance.
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Pollyanna Optimism
Of course, not every choice is easy, nor will every choice produce
the results you hope simply because you take the positive
tact. Pollyanna Optimism expects positive outcomes without
regard for practicality.
“There is a soft-headed type of thinking from the practical
approach that brings success. Some people who believe
things are getting better feel foolish when things get worse.
As a result, they often become disillusioned and cynical. But
tough-minded optimists are aware that they live in an
imperfect world in which love ends, innocent people are
cheated, and sick people die; the true optimist sees the
negative possibilities but chooses the positive.” Alan Loy
McGinnis in “The Power of Optimism.”
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Promise Yourself
At one time you chose to be a member of Optimist
International. You now have the opportunity to
make a deeper commitment adopting and living its
principles. You can promise yourself to not only
recite, but to habitually live by the tenets of the
“OPTIMIST CREED.” That is why we begin our
Creed with “Promise Yourself.” The benefits you
gain from our Creed are in direct proportion to your
dedication to live by its tenets.
“If it is to be, it is up to me!”
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III. Developing Self-Esteem
• Removing Barriers is part of developing a positive self-esteem.
• Individually List
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things that you worry about
things that are causing anger
things that you fear
things that are causing trouble in your life
Activity for Letting go
•Write on paper a personal worry, fear or trouble that you would like to
get rid of right now
•Now fold it and tear it up and throw it away
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Don’t Sit on Your Buts
• Language as a barrier
• “But” is an argument for our limitations and a justification for retreat.
• Relatives of “But”
– Could’ve, would’ve, should’ve done such and such
Source: Les Brown
Self-Talk Cycles
• Affirmations
– If you say it
– Your subconscious mind will believe it
– And you will achieve it!
• Language of Affirmation
– Use the pronoun “I”
– Use present tense verbs
– Use action modifiers
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Affirmation Exercises
• Change this negative “self-talk” to positive
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I’m no good at remembering names.
Every time I talk with him we end up arguing.
I don’t know what’s wrong with me today.
I can’t seem to control my weight.
We tried that before and it didn’t work. Write something you would like
to achieve in the next few weeks.
• Write something you would like to achieve in the next few weeks
• Write down one or more Affirmations about yourself that will set
the stage for the realization of this goal.
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Seeing with the Mind’s Eye
• Visualization or Imaging is the ability to see something in the
“mind’s eye.”
• “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can
achieve” - Napoleon Hill
• “To look at the sunny side of everything and make your
optimism come true.“
Exercises in “Seeing”
• Write a brief statement of the kind of person you would like
to be.
• Close your eyes and picture yourself as that person.
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Never Give Up!
To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.
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Persistence moves mountains
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“If someone told you life was going to be one smooth,
easy ride, I’ve got a special announcement; they lied!”
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Les Brown
“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine
percent perspiration.”
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Thomas Edison
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Failure Breeds Success
Every failure teaches something: the more we fail the more we learn!
Consider Abe Lincoln
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Failed in Business
Defeated for Legislature
Failed in another business
Elected to legislature
Sweetheart died
Had a nervous breakdown
Defeated for Speaker
Defeated for Elector
Defeated for Congress
Defeated for Senate
Defeated for Vice President
Defeated for Senate
ELECTED PRESIDENT OF USA!
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Let the Past Pass
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“To forget the mistakes of the past and press on the the greater achievements
of the future”
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Learn from our mistakes - remember the lesson but forget the incident
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“When life knocks you down, you should always try to land on your back
because if you can look up, you can get up!” - Les Brown
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Peace of Mind
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
The Serenity Prayer:
“Lord grant me the courage to change what
can be changed, the patience to accept what
cannot be changed, and the wisdom to know
the difference.”
Make two lists:
Things you can change
Things you cannot change
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IV. Sharing Optimism with Synergism
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet
• Founding concept was Networking
– Mutual support of business and personal
• “Win-Win” Optimism
– Traditional confrontation produces a “winner” and a “loser”
– “Win-Win” looks for circumstances that allow all to win!
Stephen Covey, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”
Win-Win Exercise
An Optimist member is inviting a friend to join his club.
Set up a win-win situation for both:
How does the friend win?
How does the Optimist win?
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Friendships –
Reciprocal Empowerment
To make all your friends feel that there
is something in them.
Exercise: Tell the next three people
you see what you like about them.
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Smile
To wear a cheerful countenance at all
times and give every living
creature you meet a smile.
“You can’t get out of life alive. So
why not enjoy it and help others to
enjoy it as well.” – Les Brown
“A Smile” by Monica Hunter (age 10)
Exercise: Give the next
person you see your best
smile and hold it for 4
seconds!
Will they wonder what
you’ve been up to or will
they want to know what
you know?
To give a smile means, “You’re O.K.”
To get a smile will brighten your day.
A smile can turn the world around,
Or cheer up someone who’s feeling down.
And, if you happen to disagree,
Just give a smile and you will see!
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Humor as a Healer
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Laugh Therapy
– Humor shows medical results
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Exercise:
– Think of the funniest joke or story
that you’ve heard lately.
– Tell someone your joke (optional)
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Being Enthusiastic
• To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you
are about your own
• Enthusiasm from Greek root “in God”
– Showing an Enthusiastic spirit was showing a God-like quality that
lived within that person’s soul
• Activity: List the signs of an Enthusiastic person. Can these
be learned as part of your behavior?
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V. Your Uniqueness – Self-Concept
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
Attitude determines Altitude
• In aviation terminology “Attitude” is the upward or downward position
of the nose of the aircraft. Altitude is how high the aircraft flies.
– John Reel, Past International President
• With the “wind” of Optimism beneath your wings, you can fly high
like an Eagle and “Soar with Optimism”
– Charles Wiles, Past International President
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Your Coat-of-Arms
• Write down your Current Strengths,
talents, skills and assets
• Write down the strengths, skills and
abilities you want to develop
• Your Personal Legacy; Write your
mission for a better World!
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Your Mission for a Better World
• “This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose
recognized by yourself as a mighty one”
• “Will it provide:
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Ultimate personal fulfillment?
Change in the lives of young people?
Foster a more caring community?
Will it make for a better World?
• The path of Optimism may not always be easy but it can
define your worth as an individual
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The Optimist Creed
Promise Yourself •
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To be so strong that nothing can
disturb your peace of mind
To talk health, happiness and
prosperity to every person you meet
To make all your friends feel that
there is something in them
To look at the sunny side of
everything and make your optimism
come true
To think only of the best, to work
only for the best and to expect only
the best
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To be just as enthusiastic about the success of
others as you are about your own
To forget the mistakes of the past and press
on to the greater achievements of the future
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a
smile
To give so much time to the improvement of
yourself that you have no time to criticize
others
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger,
too strong for fear, and too happy to permit
the presence of trouble.
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Choosing Optimism as a
Philosophy of Life
• Repeat the Self-Assessment Quiz in one month. Compare any
changes in attitude or behavior.
The End
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