The Optimist Creed, Part 4

Today is Monday, so this post is on self confidence.

For the next few Monday’s I will be focusing on The Optimist Creed.  I did a post on it several weeks ago.  Several people asked for a copy, so I’ve created a .pdf of it.  If you want a copy, please send me an e mail at Bud@BudBilanich.com.  The first post on The Optimist Creed was so well received that I’ve decided to do a series of posts on it.  This is the fourth in that series.

The Optimist Creed

Promise Yourself:

• To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
• To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
• To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
• To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
• To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
• To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
• To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
• To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
• To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
• To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

Last week I focused on the third point of The Optimist Creed.  Today, I’d like to delve into the fourth point: “Promise yourself to look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.”

In other words, think of the glass as half full.  Last Saturday, Cathy and I went to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.  We saw a stage production of the Irving Berlin classic film musical, White Christmas. 

There is a number in the show where one of the leading men is comforting a small girl who is having trouble sleeping.  In a song, he tells her, “When you can’t sleep, count your blessings, not sheep.”  On the way home, we were talking about that song.  We know that we are blessed.  However, sometimes we forget how much we are blessed.  We both decided that we would begin counting our blessings when we felt down.

Counting your blessings and not sheep is a great first step to “look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.”  Realizing that you are blessed and that there is a sunny side is a good first step.  However, don’t forget the second part of the quote – “make your optimism come true.” 

Optimism can put you on the path to success, but hard work is will keep you moving forward.  In my forthcoming book, Straight Talk for Success: Common Sense Ideas That Won’t Let You Down, I talk about the importance of taking personal responsibility for your life and career.

“It’s simple, really. Success is all up to you, and me, and anyone else who wants it. We all have to take personal responsibility for our own success. I am the only one who can make me a success. You are the only one who can make you a success.

“Personal responsibility means recognizing that you are responsible for your life and the choices you make. It means that you realize that while other people and events have an impact on your life, these people and events don’t shape your life. When you accept personal responsibility for your life, you own up to the fact that how you react to people and events is what’s important. And you can choose how you react to every person you meet and everything that happens to you.”

The common sense point here is simple.  Look on the sunny side, count your blessings, see the glass as half full.  Then, take personal responsibility for doing the work to make your optimism come true.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.CommonSenseGuy.com for common sense advice on leadership and running a small business and to get an ebook version of my book 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.