Member-only story
Why Some People Are More Optimistic In Life
Research shows that certain things can make it easier to be optimistic.
Two students are preparing for a crucial qualification exam. Student A feels anxious, doubts herself, and think she’ll fail. Student B has a different mindset. She’s confident and believes in her ability to prepare effectively and succeed, no matter how tough the exam will be.
These two experiences, even though hypothetical, represents the fundamental difference in how people confront challenges in life.
The question is, why are some people more upbeat or optimistic than others, whether it’s passing a qualification exam, getting a job, recovering from an illness, or bouncing back from a setback?
Our Brain’s Default State
As humans, our brain’s initial response to challenges is fear. We’re wired to be pessimistic. This is a product of our evolution.
Thousands of years ago, a day in the life of our ancestors was a mix of seeking food and procreation and avoiding tigers and the hostile neighboring tribe.
As a result, survival depended on how negative they were in their environment. Being too upbeat could mean becoming an instant prey.
