Curious about Optimism: How Optimistic and Positive Are You? Is It Working for or Against You and Your Life?

Definition of Optimism : The opinion or doctrine that everything in nature is ordered for the best, or that the ordering of things in the universe is such as to produce the highest good. A disposition to take the most hopeful view; -- opposed to pessimism.

“Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.” - Nicholas M. Butler, American philosopher

“Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power.” - William James, American philosopher

Yes, I have always been an optimist. And, yes, it can get me into trouble, because feeling that everything will turn out for the best leads me to take risks. In addition, risks can lead to obstacles and failures. However, being tired of hearing people whining about the so-called recession and making all sorts of excuses for not following through on their dreams and desires, I chose optimism for this week’s blog.

The fun part of this choice is reading and studying the upbeat quotations, so let’s get started:

• “With optimism, you look upon the sunny side of things. People say, 'Studs, you're an optimist.' I never said I was an optimist. I have hope because what's the alternative to hope? Despair? If you have despair, you might as well put your head in the oven.” -Studs Terkel, American journalist
• “The optimism of a healthy mind is indefatigable.” - Margery Allingham, English writer
• “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” - Helen Keller, American author
• “Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.” - Colin Powell, American statesman
• “I do believe that most men live lives of quiet desperation. For despair, optimism is the only practical solution. Hope is practical. Because eliminate that and it's pretty scary. Hope at least gives you the option of living.” - Harry Nilsson, American musician
• “What we can borrow from Ronald Reagan... is that great sense of optimism. He led by building on the strengths of America, not running America down.” - Rudy Giuliani, American politician

Now for some that have a bit of a twist:

• “Comedy is acting out optimism.” - Robin Williams, American comedian
• "Optimism is not inherently a superior way of viewing the world. Certainly doctors will say it might be better for one's physical health to be an optimist. But, morally speaking it may not be appropriate in certain circumstances.” - Todd Solondz, American writer
• “My optimism wears heavy boots and is loud.” - Henry Rollins, American musician
• “I don't think you lead by pessimism and cynicism. I think you lead by optimism and enthusiasm and energy.” - Patricia Ireland, American activist
• “One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.” - Lucille Ball, American comedienne
• “These are the soul's changes. I don't believe in ageing. I believe in forever altering one's aspect to the sun. Hence my optimism.” - Virginia Woolf, British author

And then, a couple for the road:

“Optimism with some experience behind it is much more energizing than plain old experience with a certain degree of cynicism.” - Twyla Tharp, American dancer

“The essence of optimism is that it takes no account of the present, but it is a source of inspiration, of vitality and hope where others have resigned; it enables a man to hold his head high, to claim the future for himself and not to abandon it to his enemy.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German theologian

How optimistic are you? Personally, I feel that it is a way to live life to the fullest and the happiest. Try it! You will like/love it!

Curious about Concentration: How Effective Are You at Concentration? How Has It Helped You as an Entrepreneur and Independent Professional?

“Concentration is my motto - first honesty, then industry, then concentration.” - Andrew Carnegie, American businessman

This past weekend, I experienced a five hour round trip to and from an excellent seminar. Besides the information and motivation experienced at this event, I also benefited from my university on wheels (yes, my car). I listened to CDs of the book, The Secret Law of Attraction as explained by Napoleon Hill.

The compiler shared information from two of Hill’s works, The Law of Success and Think and Grow Rich.

So much great information! And, even though I have read it all before, I still find or re-evaluate the golden nuggets. The theme of “Concentration” jumped out at me immediately. Because I have so many careers/businesses and multiple interests, I must sometimes force myself to concentrate on one area at a time.

Hill writes, “Your ability to use the principle of autosuggestion (often called affirmations today) will depend, very largely, upon your capacity to concentrate upon a given desire until that desire becomes a burning obsession.” He also admonishes us to, “Concentrate all your efforts on one definite chief aim.”

Do you find that with the plethora of great learning opportunities that concentration can be a challenge? I know that it is for me, and that when I pick a theme for my blog and e-newsletters, I learn about and focus on the knowledge found in quotations from the experts.

So here are some for you to consider (notice that several come from successful athletes):

• “Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory.” - Bill Russell, American athlete
• “When you write down your ideas you automatically focus your full attention on them. Few if any of us can write one thought and think another at the same time. Thus a pencil and paper make excellent concentration tools.” - Michael LeBoeuf, American businessman
• “My concentration level blocks out everything. Concentration is why some athletes are better than others. You develop that concentration in training and concentrate in a meet.” - Edwin Moses, American athlete
• “Mental attitude and concentration are the keys to pitching.” - Ferguson Jenkins, Canadian athlete
• “Concentration is the ability to think about absolutely nothing when it is absolutely necessary.” - Ray Knight, American athlete
• “Ninety percent of my game is mental. It's my concentration that has gotten me this far.” - Chris Evert, American athlete

And a few with a different twist:

• “I worked with such concentration and focus and I had hundreds of obscure engineering or programming things in my head. I was just real exceptional in that way.” - Steve Wozniak, American businessman
• “The degree of freedom from unwanted thoughts and the degree of concentration on a single thought are the measures to gauge spiritual progress.” - Ramana Maharshi, Indian philosopher
• “The five essential entrepreneurial skills for success are concentration, discrimination, organization, innovation and communication.” - Michael Faraday, English scientist
• “If we know the divine art of concentration, if we know the divine art of meditation, if we know the divine art of contemplation, easily and consciously we can unite the inner world and the outer world.” - Sri Chinmoy, Indian philosopher
• “If you watch young children play, you will notice that they create games, characters, situations, whole worlds in which they immerse themselves with intense concentration.” - Daniel Greenberg, American educator
• “You get involved with a character after spending a long time waiting, and this demands a lot of energy and concentration.” - Catherine Deneuve, French actress

I am challenging you and myself to decide what my most important, definite chief aim will be for the next week (or month) and then using the power of concentration to make it happen.

Curious about Persistence: One of the Most Necessary, Success Building Tools an Entrepreneur Believes In and Practices

“The majority of men meet with failure because of their lack of persistence in creating new plans to take the place of those which fail.” - Napoleon Hill, American writer

“Energy and persistence conquer all things.” - Benjamin Franklin, American politician

How persistent are you? Have you ever become so discouraged that you feel like giving up? I know that I have. But I have always been rewarded by what Dan Kennedy calls, “stick-to-i-tiveness.”

It is important to remember that in so many true success stories that those who continued to persist – even when a good outcome seemed impossible – were rewarded with success. They did not listen to the WBs (Wet Blankets) and naysayers.

As I have mentioned before, I have become involved with network marketing. It is amazing how many from this field and industry don’t last long. One of my team members told me that most of those who join are only three “No’s” away from quitting.

I chose persistence for this week’s blog theme, because I have just finished rereading Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich in which he highlights those who didn’t give up on their desires. I also felt I needed to be reminded myself, and I am also working on a new Squidoo page devoted to “Persistence Plus.”

This week’s quotations provide a delightful melody of positivity:

• “The most essential factor is persistence - the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come.” - James Whitcomb Riley, American poet
• “Paralyze resistance with persistence.” - Woody Hayes, American coach
• “A little more persistence, a little more effort, and what seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success.” - Elbert Hubbard, American writer
• “Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.” - Dale Carnegie, American writer
• “Success is almost totally dependent upon drive and persistence. The extra energy required to make another effort or try another approach is the secret of winning.” - Denis Waitley, American writer
• “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.” - Calvin Coolidge, American President

And, a couple more for the road:

“Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.” - Colin Powell, American statesman

“Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.” - Thomas Carlyle, Scottish philosopher

Just keep on, keeping on. Persistence will pay off! It is the winner.

Curious about Consistency: What Role Does It Play in Your Life? Do You Use It to Advantage?

Definition of Consistency: (1) Firmness of constitution or character; substantiality; durability; persistency. (2) Agreement or harmony of all parts of a complex thing among themselves, or of the same thing with itself at different times; the harmony of conduct with profession; congruity; correspondence; as, the consistency of laws, regulations, or judicial decisions; consistency of opinions; consistency of conduct or of character.

“One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.” - Maya Angelou, American poet

I chose consistency for this week’s theme, because I found myself referring to it in several conversations.

As most of you know already, I teach eleven fitness classes a week. It always surprises me when a new student tells me how “frustrated” they are because they don’t see a marked change in their body after taking classes for the whole week. Yes, I realize that we are in a hurry up society today and everyone wants results immediately.

This is when I encourage them to add consistency to their workout schedule and assure them that if they keep at it, that they will start noticing the difference – and especially in how they feel. Unfortunately, many of those who start any program give up too soon and never enjoy the benefits from being consistent.

The second area is where consistency pays off is nutrition. I am a distributor for an incredible health product. I say, “incredible” because it not only tastes delicious, this drink when consumed in small amounts daily offers a plethora of benefits. It is loaded with antioxidants from 19 different fruits. I always urge purchasers to consistently drink it, keeping track of how their body is reacting.

I don’t know about you, but when I eat and drink with my consistent emphasis on health, I feel better, I look better, I sleep better, I think better and my days and life are better.

When I started hunting for quotations from the experts on consistency, I found a dichotomy of opinions:

The following feel that “consistency” is a good behavior:

• “In any team sport, the best teams have consistency and chemistry.” - Roger Staubach, American athlete
• “Consistency is very important when you're making films.” - Ian McDiarmid, Scottish actor
• “But change must always be balanced with some degree of consistency.” - Ron D. Burton, American businessman
• “My work is based on the assumption that clarity and consistency in our moral thinking is likely, in the long run, to lead us to hold better views on ethical issues.” - Peter Singer, Australian philosopher.
• “Good acting is consistency of performance.” - Jim Dale, British musician
• “Part of courage is simple consistency.” – Peggy Noonan, American writer

And, then there were those who put down consistency:

• “Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.” - Oscar Wilde, Irish dramatist
• “Consistency is contrary to nature, contrary to life. The only completely consistent people are the dead.” - Aldous Huxley, English novelist
• “The lawyer's truth is not Truth, but consistency or a consistent expediency.” – Henry David Thoreau, American author
• “Consistency is the paste jewel that only cheap men cherish.” - William Allen White, American editor

One quotation that appealed to me and that I feel can apply to much more than baseball is, “In baseball, my theory is to strive for consistency, not to worry about the numbers. If you dwell on statistics you get shortsighted, if you aim for consistency, the numbers will be there at the end.” - Tom Seaver, American athlete

I feel that we lose sight of what we can gain with consistency of purpose. Remember, it is believed that it takes 21 days of consistency to make or break a habit. What do you think? How consistent are you? Let me know.

Curious about Philosophy: Have You Ever Considered What Yours Is?

Definition of Philosophy: (1) Literally, the love of, including the search after, wisdom; in actual usage, the knowledge of phenomena as explained by, and resolved into, causes and reasons, powers and laws. (2) Practical wisdom; calmness of temper and judgment; equanimity; fortitude; stoicism; as, to meet misfortune with philosophy. (3) Reasoning; argumentation.

• “My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you I the best place for the next moment.” - Oprah Winfrey, American entertainer
• “The object of studying philosophy is to know one's own mind, not other people's.” - Dean Inge, English author

I have always been fascinated by philosophy. As a matter of fact, when I graduated the first time from college as a mathematics major, I had decided that if I returned for graduate school, my new major would be philosophy. One of my favorite professors was Dr. Rose who taught – you guessed it – philosophy.

By the time I did return to college, my new major was studio art, but that’s another story.

However, I am still fascinated by philosophy and being a heavy listener of National Public Radio (NPR), I especially enjoy hearing the philosophical essays sent in by listeners to “This I Believe.”Based on a 1950s radio show of the same name, Americans from all walks of life share the philosophies and core values that guide their daily lives." NPR asks everyone to contribute and the exciting part is that it spurs us to clarify our beliefs. Click HERE to find out more and send in an essay.

The quotations I studied this week were huge in number and thought. Let me share a few:

• “What sort of philosophy one chooses depends, therefore, on what sort of man one is; for a philosophical system is not a dead piece of furniture that we can reject or accept as we wish; it is rather a thing animated by the soul of the person who holds it.” - Johann Gottlieb Fichte, German philosopher
• “Philosophy begins in wonder.” – Plato, Greek philosopher
• “My philosophy of life is that if we make up our mind what we are going to make of our lives, then work hard toward that goal, we never lose - somehow we win out.” - Ronald Reagan, American President
• “Art requires philosophy, just as philosophy requires art. Otherwise, what would become of beauty?” - Paul Gauguin, French artist
• “Astonishment is the root of philosophy.” - Paul Tillich, German theologian
• “Our intonations contain our philosophy of life, what each of us is constantly telling himself about things.” - Marcel Proust, French author

And a few more:

• “The Linux philosophy is 'Laugh in the face of danger'. Oops. Wrong One. 'Do it yourself'. Yes, that's it.” - Linus Torvalds, American businessman
• “Art requires philosophy, just as philosophy requires art. Otherwise, what would become of beauty?” - Paul Gauguin, French artist
• “Any philosophy that can be put in a nutshell belongs there.” - Sydney J. Harris, American journalist
• “History should be written as philosophy.” – Voltaire, French writer
• “In philosophy, it is not the attainment of the goal that matters, it is the things that are met along the way.” - Havelock Ellis, British psychologist
• “My philosophy from day one is that I can sleep better at night if I can improve an individual's knowledge about food and wine, and do it on a daily basis.” - Emeril Lagasse, American celebrity
• “My personal philosophy is, you can be sure of nothing.” - Robert M. Parker, Jr., American critic
• “The person that turns over the most rocks wins the game. And that's always been my philosophy.” - Peter Lynch, American businessman

I challenge you to write an essay about what you believe. I plan to work on one, too. We don’t have to send them in, but I bet we will be pleased enough that we will. Just do it!