Optimism with some experience behind it is much more energizing than plain old experience with a certain degree of cynicism.

Optimal design delivers information in ways that are useful, beautiful and improve the experience of all involved: audience, client and designer.

We must return optimism to our parenting. To focus on the joys, not the hassles; the love, not the disappointments; the common sense, not the complexities.

“Our research shows that 83% of leading companies indicate field service optimization is core to improving their competitive positions. True field service optimization requires service organizations to maintain the most cost-effective, productive, and profitable service chain at all times -- especially in the face of a myriad of constraints and interruptions.”

No matter how bad things got, no matter how anxious the staff became, the commander had to “preserve optimism in himself and in his command. Without confidence, enthusiasm and optimism in the command, victory is scarcely obtainable.” Eisenhower realized that “optimism and pessimism are infectious and they spread more rapidly from the head downward than in any other direction.” He learned that a commander’s optimism “has a most extraordinary effect upon all with whom he comes in contact. With this clear realization, I firmly determined that my mannerisms and speech in public would always reflect the cheerful certainty of victory—that any pessimism and discouragement I might ever feel would be reserved for my pillow.

If we define optimism broadly as the tendency to maintain a positive outlook, then realistic optimism is the tendency to maintain a positive outlook within the constraints of the available "measurable phenomena situated in the physical and social world" (DeGrandpre, 2000, p. 733). With respect to fuzzy meaning, realistic optimism involves enhancing and focusing on the favorable aspects of our experiences. Examples include being lenient in our evaluation of past events, actively appreciating the positive aspects of our current situation, and routinely emphasizing possible opportunities for the future. With respect to fuzzy knowledge, realistic optimism involves hoping, aspiring, and searching for positive experiences while acknowledging what we do not know and accepting what we cannot know.

“Given rising health care costs and limited financial resources, we want to optimize the use of those resources in health.”

“It could go either way at this point. There is some pessimism and some optimism. It's going to be interesting the whole way around.”

“There was a shot of optimism from the Fed minutes and I think that's what has carried the market through so far.”

“Koizumi's overwhelming victory was a surprise. Further gains in stocks will fuel optimism about the economy, pushing up bond yields.”