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How to Overcome a Pessimistic Perception

by Bernard Haynes 

 

We live in a society that is bombarded by pessimism. The twenty-four hour in your face news media constantly feed us negative and depressing news. We are surrounded by people that think and speak negatively. Some of the experiences we encounter leave us with a pessimistic perception of life. There is no wonder why so many people are unsatisfied and frustrated with life.

My Pessimistic Perception

A few years ago, I found myself frustrated from a pessimistic perception because I listened to the contrary voice of others and my own negative internal voice. I did not accomplish things I knew I could accomplish because I allowed pessimism to infiltrate my thought life.

I learned quickly, if you tolerate a pessimistic perception it will impede your future progress. It will prevent you from reaching your full potential. It will keep you living in an unproductive comfort zone. It was not until I decided to change how I viewed life’s circumstances that I learned to replace pessimism with a more optimistic outlook.

Overcoming a Pessimistic Perception

Overcoming a pessimistic perception is sometimes easier said than done. It takes commitment and unwavering faith to change your perception. No matter what your personal circumstances may be, it’s not unusual to feel as if the world is somehow conspiring against you. Financial struggles, family issues, job uncertainty, societal turmoil and the list goes on, can leave even the most optimistic person battling pessimism.  

In light of this, it’s imperative that we find ways to change our pessimistic perceptions. Overcoming pessimism is not a one-time process; it is a continuous conditioning of your mind to focus your thoughts in more positive and productive ways that lead to effective actions.

5 Empowering Strategies

In my quest to overcome a pessimistic perception, I realized five empowering strategies. Apply them and watch your perceptions change.

1.  Recognize that you have the power to think differently. The power to think differently is your responsibility. There is no special formula. It is not a one shot deal. It is a daily decision to feed your mind purposeful and empowering information. Just like a computer, you get out what you put in. Feed your mind junk, you will produce junk. Feed your mind nutritional food, you will produce productive thoughts.  

Philippians 4:8 sums up , “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

2.  Remain confident in whom God purposed you to be. Even when life is not turning out the way you anticipated, you must remain focused on who God purposed you to be. Your purpose is not based upon your current circumstance, the state of the economy, the voice of the media or what others have to say.

Pessimists are lurking on every corner to dissuade you from living out your purpose. You can’t afford to allow their discouraging prognosis keep you from walking in your purpose. Remain confident in whom God purposed you to be and watch your life prosper.

3.  Refuse to allow the pessimistic words of others hinder your progress.Negative people can drain your energy and kill your enthusiasm. They will constantly speak into your life what can and can’t be done. They will consistently see the negative side of life.

You don’t have to allow pessimistic people to speak into your life. The choice is yours. You may have to make the difficult decision to cut some people from your life in order to focus forward.

4.  Replace negative self-talk with empowering self-talk. Negative self-talk is often an echo of external voices in your life, such as your parents, the media, coworkers, friends or family. I learned most negative self-talk is based upon fear and not reality.

You combat the fear that leads to negative self-talk by focusing on who God says you are, speaking His positive power words to your life and exercising your faith. With consistent action you can change negative self-talk to empowering self-talk in record time.

5.  Remember to always thank God for what you have. You must make the conscious decision to be genuinely thankful for what you do have as opposed to dwelling on what you do not. No matter what you have or don’t have always remember how much worse your situation could be.

Don’t focus on what others have because you reject your blessings. Don’t let society’s greed for more block your sight of being appreciative of what you have. Philippians 4:7 says it best, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

If you apply these five strategies, you will experience a more optimistic perception that will position you for success.

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Winston Churchill