5 Differences Between Optimists and Pessimists

[bruce3]

1. Optimists believe that they have the control

Optimist believe that they shape the future. They don't see any reason tomorrow won't be better than now, so conditions and the past have no meaning for them.

But pessimists don't think that they have any control of their lives. If they knew they had control then they wouldn't be pessimists.

2. Optimists look forward

Yesterday is just an experience for optimists. There is nothing better than now, and tomorrow also looks good.

Pessimists don't usually look forward. Actually, they do but what they see is an unpleasant future, which is based on their bad experiences.

3. Optimists have self-confidence

Optimists believe they can overcome anything. But pessimists don't believe any such thing; they just think they are the victim of life.

4. While optimists think that it's possible, pessimists see the problems

Optimists: "What should I do next? I have many choices."

Pessimists: "What should I do next? I have many problems."

5. Optimists have a better life

Of course it offers a better life.

[hellionthesagereborn]

Optimist are also the first to crack under pressure. Pessimism has its advantages because quite frankly you realize that nothing is certain, just because you want things to get better doesn't mean they will which in turn makes you try and fix things, makes you prepare for the worse which in turn lets you mitigate damage from those events unlike optimist who take the full brunt of it because they thought that nothing bad was going to happen. Pessimism lets you see the potential problems you will face and come up with a plan to deal with them to either circumvent them entirely or to mitigate the damage they do.
www.huffingtonpost.com/.../...efits_n_4392525.html

[rjroy3]

The real criteria for overcoming tough scenarios is acceptance. Being optimistic just helps fuel you, while being pessimistic doesn't offer anything as far as motivation and can even harm you in the long run. A person who accepts their situation, but is optimistic of the outcome is more likely to overcome that situation than a pessimist who accepts the situation.

It's only if the optimist doesn't accept the immediate situation that he's more likely to fail, because those small losses build up until they crack because they lose motivation and with it their belief. While the pessimist might complain if he accepts the situation he is dealing with the problem appropriately not optimally.

Navy SEALS go deep on this subject matter. Mental toughness is more about embracing the situation and focusing on the next step. Having belief in yourself to win and succeed is equally as important. Negative self talk kills athletes and other top level performers.

[hellionthesagereborn]

@rjroy3 Actually according to data (the links provided) thats not true. being pestimistic allows you to not just accept problems, failure and difficulty it expects it and as such allows for you to prepare for it. An optimist assumes things will just get better, a pestimist assumes everything is going to go to shit and the only way to prevent it is with action and planning. Hence the article pointing out that pestimist tend to do better then optimist. Optimist passively assume things will get better, a pestimistic actively ensures that they get better. You look at a problem and see all the places it can fail and then build safety nets and contingency plans for those problems.

[rjroy3]

Here's more so what I was talking about.
jackmalcolm.com/.../

And eh. I don't know about that article. I didn't see a link to the studies they said they were referencing (maybe user error). They specified "defensive pessimism" as "could be" good, while they said "certain forms of optimism" "can be" bad.
That's not really a study. Comparing only one type of either side as opposed to the spectrum as a whole so you can point out the strong points and flaws.
For example here is a quote from that article:

"found that certain forms of optimism may actually put couples at risk for so-called “marital deterioration,”

This was referring to couples that put on a face and pretend everything is ok vs actually accepting it, which was my original point. Being optimistic had nothing to do with it. Not facing the problem for what it is was the issue.

[hellionthesagereborn]

@rjroy3 Well here is one source in the post I linked to (it was in the post itself): www.apa.org/.../pessimism-future.aspx
Here are the others (also linked to in the original link): https://psycnet.apa.org/journals/psp/105/1/38/
https://cdp.sagepub.com/content/19/3/167

[hellionthesagereborn]

@rjroy3 I'm not saying its bad to be positive, I'm only pointing out that their is a positive in being negative. You are more prepared for when things go wrong.

[Anonymous]

I feel as though being an optimist or a pessimist is just a bad idea. Pessimists fail to see all the tiny blessings they have, but optimists often times fail to notice the sea of problems that's beginning to overtake them. Most pessimists that I have met usually are ungrateful. Most optimists that I have met are usually blissfully ignorant of the cold hard truth. I consider myself a realist. I know that in life there will be things that I can of cannot control. I've just got to appreciate what I've got but also acknowledge and tackle my problems.

[Opinion Owner]

*or...

[NerdKing16]

Optimists don't fail to see the sea of problems beginning to overtake them, they just overcome them by not letting them overtake them. Being optimistic doesn't mean being delusional, but seeing the best case scenario and taking the necessary steps in achieving that scenario.

[Opinion Owner]

@NerdKing16 most of the optimists I've met are delusional. They're off in lala land while a shit storm approaches.

[kneehow]

I completely agree with you. We don't live in a perfect world. There is hunger, war, disease, cancer, natural disasters, crimes , and corruptions. Instead of looking through a rose-tinted glasses we need to acknowledge that problems do exist.

[Opinion Owner]

@kneehow this girl gets it

[NerdKing16]

@kneehow Optimists acknowledge this, we just embrace the opportunity for a better future. How can changes be made if no one believes these changes are possible? Someone who chooses to ignore today's problems aren't optimists they're delusional.

[HOAAH]

Pessimist complains about things that will go bad when optimist is hopeful things will be good. The pessimist gets good results and say that was a pleasant surprise, the optimist sees the bad results and say another good day will come...

[John_Doesnt]

Pessimism is just a smarter, higher form of optimism. If you always expect the worst outcome you're guaranteed to be pleasantly surprised. A pessimist is also on a constant crusade to improve them, prepare for the worst and learn Kung-Fu.

[LilahSteph]

Being optimist is always a better choice, yet sometimes being realistic is the best. Too much optimism may mislead to false hopes.

[skeptic002]

nah i just believe the bible
and the ending isn't very good so guess what
the end sucks no matter what anyone says
that's being real
not pessimistic

[TheLuckyPizzaDog]

Ironically, Nick (that last GIF) is actually a huge pessimist.

[Saoirse_Nua]

I would tone it down a little bit and say probably best to be a "Realistic Optimist".

[Anonymous]

I'm a realist but in the eyes of an optimist they sometimes see me as a pessimist. Yet, to a pessimist, I sometimes am seen as an optimist.

[Crumbles]

I think that a realist is really a pessimist.

[Opinion Owner]

@Crumbles A realist can't be a pessimist. If someone claims to be a realist but is always pessimistic, then they aren't really a realist. A realist is someone that looks at things from a realistic viewpoint. A pessimist is someone that sees the worst and an optimist is someone that sees the best. If someone really is a realist then there is no way they can be a pessimist.

[Crumbles]

We each have are own opinions. I know what each definition is for an optimist, pessimist and a realist - so you don't need to spell it out. From my own personal experience I think that expecting the worst of everything is being realistic because the worst always happens to me. So it's very much subjective, you may throw definitions out there but, for me, personally there's no clear line between pessimism and realism... but I understand where you are coming from...

[Opinion Owner]

@Crumbles The worst thing doesn't happen to you. You just perceive it that way because you're a pessimist. It's the worst thing that you can imagine, but not the worst thing possible in my opinion. What is subjective is what is considered to be the worst thing. Which is why you perceive it to be the worst. However, what is objective is that a realist is not really a pessimist.

Let's take sports as an example. At the beginning of the season having dreams of winning the championship for a team that traditionally sucks is not realistic. An optimist may perceive this realistic viewpoint as being pessimistic. At the end of the season they are in the championship game. An optimist will think they will win, a pessimist will think they got this close only for them to come up short. A realist won't be so positive to claim victory and won't be so negative to claim they will end up losing. There's a distinct difference and it's very objective.

[kingofknights]

It is hard living with a pessimist when you're the opposite...

[Curmudgeon]

I think you confuse pessimism with fatalism.

[gobsmacked3]

You forgot the pivotal one- 'Perception'

[rjroy3]

^This

My first thought was "Our beliefs shape our reality".
The pessimist says it's a gloomy day and he's right.
The optimist says it's a good day and he's right.

[dudeman]

I think you're wrong on all counts.

[This_is_my_username]

Being a optimist rocks

[Pilulu]

Blue anon keeps down voting options.

[Adigelunar]

good

[LivingLife94]

I'm an optimist!!

[MissSakura]

ım oprimist