In this week’s Success Newsletter, I would like to reveal the difference between an optimist, pessimist, realist and someone who is resourceful.
First a quick update:
The Breakup Test
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5 Reasons You’re Not Over Your Ex!
Are you over your ex or are you still craving your ex? What do you feel or believe that pushes you to want to be with or hang onto your ex? Watch my video for the 5 reasons you’re not yet over your ex
Now, let’s talk about the difference between an optimist, pessimist, realist and someone who is resourceful.
How do your friends perceive you – are you an optimist or a pessimist?
Are there any other options?
“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”
– William Arthur Ward (1921- 1994)
According to poet and writer, William Arthur Ward, there is a third option – the realist. However, as I will point out, Ward was actually referring to resourcefulness as much as he was to realism.
How do you respond to challenges, setbacks, breakups, obstacles and disappointments? How resourceful are you?
Do you complain and do nothing as does the pessimist; do you dream, fantasize and still do nothing as does the optimist or; do you take action to create your life by utilizing all of your resources?
In Ward’s quote, he categorizes:
The pessimist as the person who complains, blames, and justifies the decision to take no action because the circumstances aren’t right.
The Optimist as the person who hopes and dreams while living in denial of the present situation.
The Realist as the person who takes meaningful action.
Why does the ‘realist’ or ‘resourceful person’ adjust the sails? Why doesn’t he just let the wind take him wherever it will? Why doesn’t he just go with the flow?
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”
– Jimmy Dean, 1987
The ‘realist’ has a goal; he has a destination and therefore he adjusts his sail based on the challenges and obstacles he faces but still with the goal or destination in mind!
By adjusting the sails in response to the wind, the realist is actually being resourceful: he is using the very obstacle (the direction and strength of the wind) to his favor by adjusting his sails to still take him to his destination.
“You could not prevent a thunderstorm, but you could use the electricity; you could not direct the wind, but you could trim your sail so as to propel your vessel as you pleased, no matter which way the wind blew.”
Cora L. V. Hatch, 1859
A realist might very well accept that ‘what is’ – a relationship, job, project or some other situation or desire is over or in trouble. But a resourceful person takes the next step and chooses to learn from it; a resourceful person will use “the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.”
“One ship drives east and another drives west
With the self-same winds that blow.
‘Tis the set of the sails
And not the gales
Which tells us the way to go.
Like the winds of the sea are the winds of fate,
As we voyage along through life,
‘Tis the set of a soul
That decides its goal
And not the calm or the strife.”
– “The Winds of Fate” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, 1910
You are the captain of your ship and life, and at times you will face strong gales, you will be challenged, your ship might even be tossed onto the rocks, but how will you respond?
Will you stop and complain; will you fantasize or; will you accept the reality of the situation and choose to be resourceful by taking conscious action to seek out a solution?
When you choose to be a resourceful in the midst of difficulties and disappointments, you become the creator of your reality!
If you would like to overcome the blocks to being resourceful (self-doubt, pessimism, denial or lack of belief in your own abilities), book a one-on-one session with me.
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I wish you the best and remind you “Believe in yourself -You deserve the best!”
Patrick Wanis Ph.D. s
Celebrity Life Coach, Human Behavior & Relationship Expert & SRTT Therapist
Anointed “The Woman Expert” by WGN Chicago, Patrick Wanis PhD is a renowned Celebrity Life Coach, Human Behavior & Relationship Expert who developed SRTT therapy (Subconscious Rapid Transformation Technique) and is teaching it to other practitioners. Wanis’ clientele ranges from celebrities and CEOs to housewives and teenagers. CNN, BBC, FOX News, MSNBC & major news outlets worldwide consult Wanis for his expert insights and analysis on sexuality, human behavior and women’s issues. Wanis is the first person ever to do hypnotherapy on national TV – on the Montel Williams show.