As I work my way through learning marketing strategies and improving my writing skills, I have learned an important quality is necessary in the process: realistic optimism. I tend to have elements of both realism and optimism in my personality. Life experiences will teach you to be realistic about outcomes, but optimism helps you navigate the difficult times. That’s how I’m approaching this career transition.
I’m optimistic about the possibilities, but I’m realistic about success and failure. Optimism allows me to recognize the positive elements of failure, but realism keeps me responsible.
On the other hand, I have to make certain that I don’t confuse realism with negativity or pessimism. How can I tell the difference? When I’m realistic, I’m acknowledging what could happen, and that allows me to accept both the successes and the failures. I’m not telling myself that only bad things will happen. I’m reminding myself that I might fail, and I need a plan in case I do. However, I’m also reminding myself that I might succeed, and I need a plan for that, too.
When I’m negative or pessimistic, I fail to see the possibility of success, and it bleeds into my process. Realistic optimism allows me to process what I need to do whether I succeed or fail, but it doesn’t leave me paralyzed with feelings of fear or negativity.
When you’re making a career transition, keep a sense of realistic optimism that allows you to see all the possibilities and make plans for them. While it’s a bit unwise to think you will always succeed because it doesn’t prepare you for failure, it’s just as unwise to think you will always fail because it doesn’t prepare you for success. Go ahead and plan for the possibility of both. Either way, you’ll be prepared to move forward.
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Inspirational Verse for the Day:
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15, NKJV)
All Things Subject to Change 