Optimism, is it over-rated?

5th August 2010

I am reading a great book at the moment called ”Conquer the Chaos” by Clate Mask and Scott Martineau, which is all about the growing pains involved when starting a small business.
Essentially it states that Chaos is all but inevitable when you start out, and until you learn how to handle it, and grow the business sufficiently to overcome it, it will be ever present in one form or another.
A chapter which particularly appealed to me was that about “Disciplined Optimism”. Being the eternal optimist as I am, I have often been criticised for looking too much on the bright side, and perhaps over stating the situation, which the authors describe as being blindly optimistic, as opposed to the disciplined optimism they prescribe.
So for those of you who like me may err on the side of blind optimism (although this is better than negativity), where you may kid yourself that everything is coming up roses, they advocate a longer term view. Instead of sticking your head in the sand with the belief that everything will just be all right, maintain the belief that your business will gain the envisioned success, but be prepared to embrace the brutal facts of your current reality, and then face up to them and deal with them because you want to, not because you have to.
In this way you will be far more likely to take action when things go wrong, and perhaps even be more aware of potential or real problems, before they become critical. Take note of the nagging worries, and confront them. Treat them as temporary obstacles; deal with them and then move on towards your ultimate goals.

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