Optimists and Pessimists: Which Viewpoint is Better

I have always heard the question, but never understood, do you see the glass half-full or half-empty? Everyone looks at life through his own lens, two main entities being described as an optimist lens and a pessimist lens. These two outlooks on life possess both differences and similarities. Harry S Truman said, “A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.” The whole world consists of both lenses, pessimists, and optimists, and one can be both depending on the day or situation.

Both optimists and pessimists have distinct outlooks on life and situations that an individual may encounter. An optimist fights life head on with a positive and confident personality. One who holds optimistic traits embodies a “ready to take on the world” character. According to psychologytoday.com, “Optimism is an attitude that can positively affect a person’s mental and physical health.” (Optimism, Sussex) Optimism can also help reduce a person’s stress and increase longevity.” In contrast, a pessimist possesses a more doubtful or gloomy viewpoint. A pessimist, described by Google as “a person who is inclined to expect poor outcomes.” These individuals do not usually set high goals or expectations in fear of failure. One who goes without self-confidence can be classified as a pessimist.

Individuals with optimistic attitudes usually have a better chance of being successful in life and reaching their goals! Optimists do not have to have a fairytale view on reality, but merely an affirmative course of action with options sets one on a fast track to prosperity. Although, this does not mean that pessimistic humans experience the short end of the stick. In fact, pessimistic minds acquire a better sense of reality than optimists. As stated on www.entrepreneur.com, “When good things happen, pessimists are accurate. When bad things happen, again they are accurate.” (Successful Optimist, Scott Halford) In either of these cases, success can be reached!

To balance, diversify, and control the world, optimists and pessimists need to be present. Without pessimists, humans would never see failure or the negative in situations and possibly be harmed. Without optimism, individuals would not be encouraged to try other options when one does not work out. Optimism and pessimism equal day and night, without day we would not have hope, and without night we would not have rest. These two viewpoints work together and create different individuals with unique goals and opinions, which fuels our world!

Caren Libby said, “Everyone sees the world through a different lens.” In 2013, the Statista Research Department conducted a survey throughout the United States that asked adults whether they considered themselves an optimist or pessimist. In the results, fifty percent claimed they possessed an optimistic view on life, forty-three said they were “somewhere in between”, four percent stated that they were pessimistic, and the other three percent refused to answer. A common phrase used in sports and said by various people such as Kobe Bryant, Will Smith, and Benoit LeCompte says, “if you think you are going to fail, you most likely will.” Whether an individual believes this statement and widely known quote proves accurate or not, it is completely one’s personal opinion.