https://rickbaker.ca/category/optimism-pessimism/ Rick Baker's Thought Posts — plain-spoken writing on leadership, business values, communication, habits, and the people side of building a business. Publishing since 2008. en-ca https://rickbaker.ca/post/never-give-upyou-owe-it-to-yourselfyou-owe-it-to-your-familyyou-owe-it-to-life/https://rickbaker.ca/post/never-give-upyou-owe-it-to-yourselfyou-owe-it-to-your-familyyou-owe-it-to-life/Fri, 28 May 2021 07:38:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Of course, Sir Winston Churchill comes to mind, “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or… https://rickbaker.ca/post/those-who-seek-perfection-in-others-will-find-the-human-condition-is-permeated-with-imperfections/https://rickbaker.ca/post/those-who-seek-perfection-in-others-will-find-the-human-condition-is-permeated-with-imperfections/Sat, 06 Feb 2021 07:17:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Do not assume you are your own harshest critic . Do not assume your perceptions of others are unbiased or fair or reasonable… https://rickbaker.ca/post/success-key-find-the-growth-that-aligns-with-both-the-pessimists-good-habits-and-the-optimists-interests-in-new-things/https://rickbaker.ca/post/success-key-find-the-growth-that-aligns-with-both-the-pessimists-good-habits-and-the-optimists-interests-in-new-things/Tue, 02 Feb 2021 07:32:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet The common ground where optimists and pessimists can stand together and self-actualize together is – Growth ....all… https://rickbaker.ca/post/common-sense-easy-to-see-in-self-but-tough-to-find-in-others-a-pessimist-said-that-i-have-no-idea-why/https://rickbaker.ca/post/common-sense-easy-to-see-in-self-but-tough-to-find-in-others-a-pessimist-said-that-i-have-no-idea-why/Sun, 03 Jan 2021 07:03:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Or was it an optimist ... https://rickbaker.ca/post/winners-seek-solutions-and-think-of-better-placeslosers-agonize-over-problems-and-fear-uncertainty/https://rickbaker.ca/post/winners-seek-solutions-and-think-of-better-placeslosers-agonize-over-problems-and-fear-uncertainty/Thu, 03 Sep 2020 07:53:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet The choice is yours. Choose fixing the problem over fixing the blame. https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-optimist-may-be-just-as-wrong-as-the-pessimistbut-the-optimist-has-more-fun-abundance/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-optimist-may-be-just-as-wrong-as-the-pessimistbut-the-optimist-has-more-fun-abundance/Sat, 18 Jul 2020 07:15:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Tweet Just don’t let optimism get outside the bounds of realism. https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-with-lesser-ambitions-should-not-impress-their-non-champion-beliefs-on-champions-or-other-more-confident-competitors/https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-with-lesser-ambitions-should-not-impress-their-non-champion-beliefs-on-champions-or-other-more-confident-competitors/Sun, 21 Jun 2020 07:29:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet If everyone watered down their self-confidence in an effort to conform to the average then every competition would end in an… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-question-should-be-is-the-glass-half-full-and-half-empty/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-question-should-be-is-the-glass-half-full-and-half-empty/Sun, 14 Jun 2020 07:00:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Is your glass at least half-full and half-empty? Rather than limit people to 2 ways of thinking and claiming one is optimistic… https://rickbaker.ca/post/negative-thinking-cannot-be-band-aided-into-insignificance-it-is-a-thick-multi-layered-multi-textured-problem-2020/https://rickbaker.ca/post/negative-thinking-cannot-be-band-aided-into-insignificance-it-is-a-thick-multi-layered-multi-textured-problem-2020/Mon, 18 May 2020 07:05:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Shape up, Man, you gotta improve your attitude! Great advice in theory - useless advice in reality. If you want to help people… https://rickbaker.ca/post/optimists-pave-the-paths-so-pessimists-can-rule-the-world/https://rickbaker.ca/post/optimists-pave-the-paths-so-pessimists-can-rule-the-world/Tue, 16 May 2017 07:31:00 -0500Now isn't that a fine piece of ‘ mob thinking ’...debatable, yet mostly true, and too often rather disappointing. Optimists stand out. Their curiosity leads… https://rickbaker.ca/post/criticism-adrenalin-spikes-improving-relationships/https://rickbaker.ca/post/criticism-adrenalin-spikes-improving-relationships/Mon, 15 May 2017 08:30:00 -0500Some people naturally repulse criticism. These people may show outward signs of their repulsion. These people may not show outward signs, or their repulsion… https://rickbaker.ca/post/getting-at-the-maybe-rut/https://rickbaker.ca/post/getting-at-the-maybe-rut/Thu, 06 Apr 2017 07:28:00 -0500Somewhere between the Pessimists and the Optimists there is a group of people who live lives of Maybe. Procrastinators are in this group...sooner or later… https://rickbaker.ca/post/say-adieu-and-then-forget/https://rickbaker.ca/post/say-adieu-and-then-forget/Mon, 09 Jan 2017 07:10:00 -0500Forgetfulness plagues us all. At least from time to time, everyone forgets things. We forget things on our shopping lists, we forget the places where things… https://rickbaker.ca/post/pessimists-arent-doomed-to-experience-tough-lives/https://rickbaker.ca/post/pessimists-arent-doomed-to-experience-tough-lives/Mon, 06 Jun 2016 07:58:00 -0500Today, I've been thinking about Attitudes & Struggles and how to help pessimists gain more enjoyment in life and more peace of mind. My thoughts have been… https://rickbaker.ca/post/be-there-be-positive/https://rickbaker.ca/post/be-there-be-positive/Mon, 08 Feb 2016 07:59:00 -0500Sure, we can be distracted or negative but let's remember we have these other two choices: being there and being positive . If you are not naturally inclined… https://rickbaker.ca/post/stress-a-not-all-bad-fact-of-life/https://rickbaker.ca/post/stress-a-not-all-bad-fact-of-life/Mon, 25 Jan 2016 08:17:00 -0500Stress is one of our natural response mechanisms. But, what exactly is stress? There are a huge range of definitions. Stress is what you feel/think in… https://rickbaker.ca/post/theres-something-about-the-details/https://rickbaker.ca/post/theres-something-about-the-details/Fri, 27 Mar 2015 09:52:00 -0500"God is in the detail" "The devil is in the detail" Regardless, it seems to me most people have a love-hate relationship with “the details”. https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-youre-in-the-dark-dont-make-light-of-things/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-youre-in-the-dark-dont-make-light-of-things/Mon, 23 Jun 2014 08:11:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Optimism, Pessimism, & Realism ... how do you find the right overall balance and the right strategy for the situation at hand… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-989/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-989/Thu, 01 May 2014 08:47:00 -0500Thought Tweet #989 Only tiny creatures perceive molehills as mountains. The Thinking Behind The Tweet Moles are small creatures and they make small hills. If… https://rickbaker.ca/post/shall-we-fail-or-shall-we-succeed/https://rickbaker.ca/post/shall-we-fail-or-shall-we-succeed/Mon, 07 Apr 2014 08:52:00 -0500Some people buy in when other people suggest things will fail. I choose to reject this buying into others' failure mindsets. Some people doubt other people… https://rickbaker.ca/post/control-your-ants-and-influence-people/https://rickbaker.ca/post/control-your-ants-and-influence-people/Tue, 25 Mar 2014 09:03:00 -0500Control of Automatic Negative Thoughts is a way for improving the quality of one's life. Control of Automatic Negative Thoughts is also a way to expand one's… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-955/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-955/Fri, 14 Mar 2014 08:14:00 -0500Thought Tweet #955 Take care that cost-cutting & cost-controlling don't neuter your success-focused efforts. The Thinking Behind The Tweet When it comes to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/fear-of-failure/https://rickbaker.ca/post/fear-of-failure/Tue, 04 Mar 2014 08:22:00 -0500I recently read an article posted at the Engineering Leadership LinkedIn Group. In the article, the author stated fear of failure “ is something like a bad… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-946/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-946/Mon, 03 Mar 2014 08:32:00 -0500Thought Tweet #946 Small stuff is like a sponge. If you sweat over it long enough it becomes so big & heavy it drags you under. The Thinking Behind The Tweet… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-942/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-942/Tue, 25 Feb 2014 08:37:00 -0500Thought Tweet #942 Good things don't 'just happen'. First we do good things. Then other good things 'just happen'. Luck is what you make it. The Thinking… https://rickbaker.ca/post/take-steps-toward-change-leadership/https://rickbaker.ca/post/take-steps-toward-change-leadership/Fri, 15 Nov 2013 08:20:00 -0500If you want to lead change and influence others to help you achieve the success you desire, consider these things: Your Intelligence - This is a tough one… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-865/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-865/Fri, 08 Nov 2013 08:54:00 -0500Thought Tweet #865 Listen to what people say...are their words the words of Victims or Initiators? The Thinking Behind The Tweet We do better with people… https://rickbaker.ca/post/put-your-foot-downsay-no-to-no/https://rickbaker.ca/post/put-your-foot-downsay-no-to-no/Tue, 15 Oct 2013 08:28:00 -0500Beliefs: some good, some not-so-good Beliefs intertwine with perceptions and patterns in your brain. Then beliefs manifest their influence, acting as your… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-8365/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-8365/Mon, 30 Sep 2013 10:32:00 -0500Thought Tweet #836.5 Are the people who post warning signs pessimists or optimists? The Thinking Behind The Tweet Some business people treat risk management… https://rickbaker.ca/post/2-simple-tools-1-for-thinking-1-for-actionboth-for-communicating/https://rickbaker.ca/post/2-simple-tools-1-for-thinking-1-for-actionboth-for-communicating/Fri, 10 May 2013 07:50:00 -0500Edward de Bono is one of my heroes. In my opinion, he is the world's greatest creative thinking educator. I have written about Edward de Bono and his ' Six… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-628/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-628/Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:35:00 -0500Thought Tweet #628 Problems wave eagerly at me...huge flags of action & opportunity. The Thinking Behind The Tweet Some leaders take every day and situation… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-610/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-610/Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:05:00 -0500Thought Tweet #610 We ought to avoid the " Negative Society " The Thinking Behind The Tweet We can choose to avoid or choose to limit our exposure to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-598/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-598/Wed, 31 Oct 2012 08:55:00 -0500Thought Tweet #598 If you're in the dark, don't make light of things. The Thinking Behind The Tweet Optimism, Pessimism, & Realism ... how do you find the… https://rickbaker.ca/post/theres-a-negative-mob-out-there/https://rickbaker.ca/post/theres-a-negative-mob-out-there/Tue, 23 Oct 2012 09:00:00 -0500There's a lot of negative stuff out there! Bad news makes good news. Bad news sells. Crimes and unfortunate accidents get lots of air time . It seems we… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-577/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-577/Tue, 02 Oct 2012 08:35:00 -0500Thought Tweet #577 Give credit where credit is due...and make your payments too. The Thinking Behind The Tweet Realism: Lack of money is the root of lots of… https://rickbaker.ca/post/optimistic-to-a-fault/https://rickbaker.ca/post/optimistic-to-a-fault/Fri, 28 Sep 2012 09:15:00 -0500Many entrepreneurs are optimistic to a fault. This is a common side-effect of an entrepreneurial spirit and it is encouraged by expert advice that goes… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-568/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-568/Wed, 19 Sep 2012 08:40:00 -0500Thought Tweet #568 If you're over your head, it's too late to keep your chin up. The Thinking Behind The Tweet Ego and Pride and Denial...they have their… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-539/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-539/Thu, 09 Aug 2012 09:15:00 -0500Thought Tweet #539 Common sense: easy to see in self but tough to find in others. A pessimist said that. I have no idea why. The Thinking Behind The Tweet Or… https://rickbaker.ca/post/how-to-get-people-to-like-you-1/https://rickbaker.ca/post/how-to-get-people-to-like-you-1/Wed, 07 Mar 2012 07:00:00 -0500Here are the Top 10 results of a recent impromptu and unscientific survey on the topic... How to get People to like you even better : 10. Don't armtwist… https://rickbaker.ca/post/know-negativity/https://rickbaker.ca/post/know-negativity/Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:00:00 -0500Have you ever stopped to think about negativity ? I mean - have you ever set aside 30 minutes or so to consider what negativity does and the many forms… https://rickbaker.ca/post/wages-in-the-world-of-work/https://rickbaker.ca/post/wages-in-the-world-of-work/Tue, 17 Jan 2012 07:00:00 -0500As part of our BIG PICTURE, Spirited Leaders has 5 Values . One of those 5 Values is: Labours of Enjoyment & Enthusiasm . In simple words, we want our People… https://rickbaker.ca/post/your-feelings-your-bottom-line/https://rickbaker.ca/post/your-feelings-your-bottom-line/Thu, 05 Jan 2012 07:00:00 -0500Business Leaders : how do you feel when your bottom line is positive, healthy, and growing? When your bottom-line profits are pretty darned good, do you… https://rickbaker.ca/post/do-family-business-people-have-better-work-ethic/https://rickbaker.ca/post/do-family-business-people-have-better-work-ethic/Wed, 04 Jan 2012 07:00:00 -0500Here is the thought behind that Question... Recently, I read Jim Estill's CEO blog 1 about work ethic. It reminded me of the stinging little Thought Post I… https://rickbaker.ca/post/blinded-by-our-own-brilliance/https://rickbaker.ca/post/blinded-by-our-own-brilliance/Tue, 03 Jan 2012 07:00:00 -0500To what extent are we blinded by our own brilliance? [Of course, I mean our perception of our own brilliance...whether or not we are anywhere near as bright… https://rickbaker.ca/post/emotions-defined-positive-negative/https://rickbaker.ca/post/emotions-defined-positive-negative/Tue, 20 Dec 2011 07:00:00 -0500Napoleon Hill practiced and taught emotional control, seeing it as one of the keys to a pleasing and attractive personality. He taught, feelings drive and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/genes-optimism-pessimism/https://rickbaker.ca/post/genes-optimism-pessimism/Thu, 22 Sep 2011 05:30:00 -0500When we are born we are predisposed to be negative or middle-of-the-road or positive. I envision this like a Bell Curve where: 25% of people are genetically… https://rickbaker.ca/post/doubters-don-t-build/https://rickbaker.ca/post/doubters-don-t-build/Thu, 16 Jun 2011 05:30:00 -0500I have said and repeated, “ There is no such thing as constructive criticism ”. I have said and repeated, “ Constructive criticism is an oxymoron ”. While… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-power-of-and-the-problem-with-thinking/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-power-of-and-the-problem-with-thinking/Wed, 09 Mar 2011 05:30:00 -0500Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve. Napoleon Hill, W. Clement Stone Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all… https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-time/https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-time/Thu, 06 Jan 2011 05:30:00 -0500I don’t have enough time to do that! How often do you say that? How often do you think that? Do you ever question whether or not that is true? I have been… https://rickbaker.ca/post/successful-people-have-more-time-sharing-another-thought/https://rickbaker.ca/post/successful-people-have-more-time-sharing-another-thought/Wed, 08 Dec 2010 05:30:00 -0500Who is your biggest critic? Who consumes a huge chunk of your time…day after day after day? If you are like the vast majority of us then the answer is… that…