September 17, 2023
Do You Practice Optimism When Imagining Your Future? Happy People Do!!
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Optimism, even to the border of delusion, is key to a happy life J Optimism boosts positive feelings about the future and increases self-efficacy. People who are enthusiastic about their life and future in general tend to be happier, are more resilient and creative in coping with life challenges and stress.
While some people seem to be more positive than others, studies show that we can all train ourselves to think more positively and to approach life more optimistically.
Need a boost in optimism? Try “My best possible future” happiness exercise. This is a great intervention that will allow you to experience positive emotions and the power of optimistic thinking. Research suggests that building optimism about the future can motivate you to work toward that desired future and thus make it more likely to become a reality.
To get started, follow these 3 steps:
- Take some time to assess your current reality. Consider all aspects of your life: health, hobbies/activities, career, friends, and family… what is going on in these areas? What would you like to achieve?
- Take a moment then and imagine your life in the future when you are at your best.Ask: “What is my vision of my best possible self?” Think about that in the different aspects (health, wealth, family, work, hobbies..) What is it like? What is really important to you? Now that your life is going as well as it possibly could and that you managed to achieve all your life goals, think about what things you are enjoying, who are you spending time with? What job do you have? How about your home environment? What kinds of things do you do for fun?
- Now take some time and write about your vision. Try to be as creative and imaginative as you can be. Writing about your ‘‘best possible future self’’ in various life domains may help you redirect your motivation toward goals that will lead to a rewarding life. The more specific you are and the more you include details, the more engaged you will be in the exercise and the more you will get out of it. Don’t forget to include the values and strengths that you needed to deploy to make that vision a reality.
Research shows that thinking about your best possible self does not just clarify goals it can also make you happier just by thinking about it. Some people prefer to reverse the exercise process and write about their vision before playing it forward in their mind.
Another reflective exercise that could boost your optimism is to imagine yourself as 110 years old. What advice would you give your younger self? This added perspective will allow you to recognize what is really important to you in life and prioritize your aspirations
Start slowly and ask yourself What is your best possible self a year from now?
Linda Chaccour