Positivity for Pragmatists

Rachana Gupta
2 min readJun 19, 2024

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Let’s be frank, unbridled optimism isn’t always your forte. You see the potential pitfalls, the roadblocks around every corner, and your motto leans towards “proper preparation prevents poor performance.” But here’s the thing, fellow pragmatist: a healthy dose of positivity isn’t about blind faith in rainbows and unicorns. It’s about acknowledging challenges with a clear head and the belief that solutions exist.

As Winston Churchill famously stated, “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” It’s about recognizing the storm clouds, but also remembering the resilience of a well-built roof (and the foresight to pack an umbrella).

Here’s the secret weapon of pragmatists: your skepticism is a valuable asset. It allows you to anticipate problems and develop contingencies. But remember, as the French writer Voltaire quipped, “Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.” Don’t let your focus on what could go wrong paralyze you from exploring what could go right.

So, how can we, the discerning pragmatists, embrace a dash of optimism without sacrificing our critical thinking skills? Here are some strategies, presented with a data-driven approach (because, well, evidence is key):

  • Focus on progress, not perfection: Celebrate incremental improvements. Didn’t encounter a single traffic jam on your commute today? That’s a positive step towards a productive day. Aced a challenging task at work? Acknowledge your skill and adaptability.
  • Reframe challenges as opportunities: View roadblocks as a chance to develop new solutions. As Nelson Mandela said, “I never consider the situation hopeless. Because when we lose hope, we lose all.”
  • Maintain a results-oriented mindset: Track your progress, measure your achievements. Seeing concrete evidence of your capabilities can foster a sense of efficacy and motivate further action.
  • Seek inspiration from successful realists: Read biographies of accomplished individuals who faced significant obstacles. Marie Curie, facing constant skepticism in the scientific community, persevered and became the first person to win two Nobel Prizes.

Remember, positivity is a skill that can be developed. You don’t have to become a dreamer overnight but still remain a realist with some dreams. Start by acknowledging the small victories, the unexpected opportunities that arise. Embrace the “yet” mentality — you haven’t achieved that goal yet, but the path forward is clear and within your reach. So, put down the worst-case scenario plan (for a while, at least), and give this optimism thing a try. You might just be surprised by the positive outcomes you can cultivate with a realistic approach.

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