“The point of living and being an optimist, is to be foolish enough to believe the Best is yet to come.” Spoken by Peter Ustinov. Remember him? Hilarious and serious actor in movies like; Spartacus, Death on the Nile and Quo Vadis.

Anyway, he perfectly characterizes the Optimist. We optimists need to suspend reality on occasion. Especially those of us that have managed people and teams. Oh we can’t be wild-eyed, cockeyed, unrealistic optimists but there are times when everything seems to be going against us as individuals or the plan or project we have created. That is the time for optimism!

My Dad, ever the optimist, gave me a card when I graduated 8th grade. A cartoon drawing of a guy falling off a building and as he is passing the 20th floor he says, “So far, not bad at all.” He lived his life thinking the best of people and always believing that things work out for the best. He didn’t say things happen for a reason…they might not, unless it is to learn something to be revealed later. Rather he believed that there are times to play the cards you’re dealt and not to fold under pressure. A subtle difference. He believed that things always work out, in the long run, for the best.

So when circumstances are working against you or your team, You be the optimist. You infuse your people with a never say die attitude. Let them see that you believe that you and they, will not fail. Realism can be dealt with optimistically. Pessimism breeds failure. Optimism leads success.

Remember this as you go out and Make it a GREAT DAY!!!