The Importance of Positive Perception and Optimism

The Importance of Positive Perception and Optimism Every human being perceives events and situations differently. However, many researchers have found that perception is a choice. Negative perception can stem from multiple areas of a person’s life. The most positive and fulfilling method to bettering the quality of one’s life is to possess a positive attitude and optimistic perception in all situations. Many people do not realize why having a negative attitude is so influential. However, a negative attitude affects every situation a person meets on a daily basis. Whether it is at school, work, church or the grocery store, a negative attitude is easily noticed. Martin Seligman, a noted psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania points out that optimists are more successful than similarly talented people with pessimistic attitudes (Harrell 10). Success can be influenced simply by the outlook a person has! Not only does a negative attitude affect all aspects of life, it reflects the mind and value of each person. It is easy to point out people who have a positive attitude; they can be determined, hopeful, or able to shed light on any situation. However, it is also easy to recognize a person with a negative attitude; possibly a troublemaker, unmotivated, or unreasonably bad tempered (Harrell 11-12). A negative perception can cause people to interact with others in a distasteful way while also affecting the physical appearance of the individual. Negative people tend to be more self-conscious and apathetic when to it comes to appearance. Slumped shoulders, grungy clothing, and a closed-off demeanor can be signs of a dark mind. All of these effects of a negative attitude come together to influence a person’s life in a dramatic way. As well as not understanding the severity of a negative attitude, many people do not know where their bad attitude comes from. An overall negative attitude grows from simple negative emotions. Feelings such as anxiety, stress,