What does it mean to be an Optimist?

The power of positive thinking does not mean to expect only positive outcomes. You would be fooling yourself if you think you can control your destiny that way. No, the power of positive thinking means to look for the silver lining in every cloud you see. A simple example, I am in the forecasting business and currently face unusual uncertainty in the aftermath of the financial crisis. Still, I am always reminding myself that there is no real mistake I can make, because given any new development that occurs, you can always look for a new investment opportunity afterwards.

There is however a little caveat. Deep down inside you also have to believe it. This is where experience comes in. Start small and work your way up. If you manage to tackle flawlessly every issue you face, your subconscious will be programmed over time that you are ready to tackle bigger and more challenging projects. Take the Tiger Woods example. His father started out with small competitions and only when he felt Tiger that mastered this playing field completely did he move on to the next competitive level. Your subconscious is a genie with amazing powers. Use it!