Moment-to-Moment Optimism

By Dr. Russ

Teach and Learn

A core tenant of Moment-to-Moment Optimism is that optimism is a skill that can be taught and learned.  As one learns and practices the skills of optimism over time, one becomes a better master of optimism known as a “Skilled Optimist.” 

Master vs. Skilled

Notice I do not use the term “Master Optimist;” that would imply one had reached a plateau, state of, or completion point in optimistic learning that had no further room for growth.  The term “Skilled Optimist” implies that one can keep practicing and developing more and more optimism skills over the course of an entire lifetime.

In the Home Beginning at Birth

Ideally the teaching of optimism skills begins at birth with something as simple as in-the-moment, parent responsiveness to the infant’s needs.  Parents, while continuing their lifetime learning quest to become better and better at their moment-to-moment optimism skills, can continue to teach optimism skills to their children throughout the child, adolescent and even young adult years.

In the Classroom and School Setting

Teachers can be taught to create a classroom culture for learning optimism that can not only enhance academic achievement, but optimize the development of the “whole” student.  School principals can provide leadership that builds a school-wide culture of optimism that is further supported by superintendent’s who spread that culture district wide.

In the Organization and Workplace

Finally, leaders, managers and organizations can create a culture of optimism in the workplace that supports every employee’s quest to become a skilled optimist and who then can make significant contributions to the accomplishment of organizational goals.

What is a "Skilled Optimist?"

Now you might be asking:  “Just what is the skill set of “Skilled Optimist?”  Listed below are eleven sub-skills of Skilled Optimism.  Note that I list eleven because if we only identified ten, then people would think “That’s it, only ten skills to learn.”  The number eleven is uneven and odd, one more that ten. To me, it implies we could identify more and more sub-skills over the course of time just as we find more and more species of plants and animals that have or currently inhabit the earth. 

Eleven Sub-skills of “Skilled Optimism”

A skilled optimist knows how to: 

1. let go of a negative or setback in a matter of moments
2. use failure and setbacks as opportunities to learn
3. identify and differentiate what can be controlled from what cannot be controlled
4. continually tap into their own “creative zone” to solve problems
5. assume the risk of failure inherent in taking on challenging tasks and goals
6. expect and plan ahead for obstacles and roadblocks
7. revise plans and expectations in light of obstacles encountered and experience of success and failure
8. seek out promising new opportunities
9. get inspiration and help from others
10. stay focused on the process and “next steps” of goal accomplishment
11. continuously self-monitor the presence or absence of a positive view in any given moment

Eight Steps you can take TODAY to improve your "skilled optimism" and the "skilled optimism" of others:

1. Look over the above list and check at least three sub-skills that you would like to improve on over the next few months.
2. If married or living with a significant other, ask him or her to the same.
3. If you have children, identify one sub-skill you would like to try to help them learn and practice at this time; then go to others over time.
4. If you are a teacher, teach one skill a month to your class for the next nine months (to cover all 11, teach two skills in November and March).
5. If you are an employee in an organization, focus on what you can do moment-to-moment and day-to-day to practice skilled optimism in the workplace.
6. Then, share this list with a work colleague or two and commit to working together and helping each work on one skill at a time.
7. If you are a supervisor, manager or leader in the organization examine the list and identify some areas that the organization might improve upon to support a climate for continuous learning of skilled optimism in the workplace.
8. MOST IMPORTANT: If you do nothing else, POST THE LIST OF ELEVEN SUB-SKILLS on your refrigerator, classroom bulletin board, desk at work, or other prominent place that you can refer to in any given moment.

P.S. If you are interested in learning about our "Organizational Optimism Program" (which includes assessment, training and ongoing consultation), please send an inquiry via e-mail to drruss@drrussbuss.com

By Dr. Russ

What is it like to “live” inside your place of work?  We often spend more time at work than we do at home, awake with our children, spouse and families.  It would seem important for a workplace to actively cultivate positive and optimistic attitudes on the part of their workers with the result of more productivity, health, wellness, and job satisfaction.

Look over these sixteen statements regarding the optimistic culture of a workplace or organization.  Place a "Y" for Yes, "S" for Sometimes, and "N" for No next to each statement.  If you get 12 or more Yes’s you should be finding your workplace a fun and great place to work.  Anything less than 10 Yes’s indicates the “Workplace Culture of Optimism” might need some work. 

1. When my organization has a setback (e.g., does not meet quarterly goals, loses a sale, or otherwise fails to meet some goal), the company quickly focuses us on figuring out how to fix the problem and does not look around for someone to blame.

2. At company trainings, we are told that mistakes are important to make because that is the only way for real learning to occur.

3. The company continually reminds everyone about the past great mistakes and we are instilled with fear and worry about whether we can avoid them.

4. My workplace is inviting and accepting of differences in attitudes, beliefs, race and gender issues.

5. My boss, and the bosses above, continually remind us to focus on what we can control not what we can’t.

6. When someone complains, it is neither ignored nor pandered to.  Instead the employee is redirected, with coaching or training, or given assistance on how to redirect their efforts to solve the problem underlying the complaint.

7. My workplace actively encourages creative thinking.  No one would ever be ridiculed or put down for a “stupid idea.”

8. At my workplace we meet regularly to discuss adaptations that are needed in goals and plans to be responsive to market and society

9. The leaders of the organization continually remind us that “it is the view” that counts.

10. When I wake up in the morning, I am truly excited about all the new opportunities, possibilities and adaptations to change that I will be doing at work that day.

11. My company encourages me to take on challenging goals even if it means I might not achieve them. 

12. My workplace actively encourages employees to gain new knowledge and skill for professional advancement even if that means I might leave the company for a better opportunity someday.

13. The leaders and managers of the company are always encouraging and accepting of disagreement and different opinions and perspectives; keep asking – can anyone see a hole in our logic or problem with the plan?

14. When setting goals and making plans, we always construct a list of possible obstacles that could interfere with expected implementation of the plan.

15. My company not only has numerous programs to help us pursue and maintain a healthy life style, but also most of the employees take advantage of these programs.

16. At my place of work, when we succeed or fail, we rarely ever worry about what others are thinking of us.  Instead we focus on the next step that needs to be taken for more success or improvement.

Want some help improving your workplace culture?  Call 517-999-2634.

By Dr. Russ,

In continued celebration of a year of daily blogging since last April of 2009, I am posting this encore presentation on building a culture of optimism in an organization.

Dr. Russ Buss has attempted to synthesize some core principles of optimism presented by Michael J. Fox in his new book, Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist, that can serve as guidelines for building and maintaining an Optimistic Organization; one that exudes a “Culture of Optimism.”

1. The Optimistic Organization actively counteracts negativity with positivity. The organization imbues the attitude and belief that it is not what happens to you, but how you view it that matters. As Michael J. Fox has taught us: We may not always have a choice about some of our circumstances in life, but we always have a choice about how we view them.
2. Optimistic workplaces create environments where everyone can share and exchange creative ideas; where individuals can explore, experience and immerse themselves in states of “relaxed-detachment” to promote creative incubation.
3. An Optimistic work-culture empowers individuals to accept, embrace, and deal with change. Adapting to change is viewed as an opportunity for individual and organizational growth. Training and development programs teach and prepare individuals to let go of outdated and now dysfunctional habits and personas, while actively supporting a workplace belief that the “inner self” can mount the effort and ability necessary to take on tough challenges.
4. Optimistic Organizations are not afraid to take risks. The culture encourages and empowers value-based, reasonable risk-taking, i.e., no short cuts, bring out best efforts and abilities people have to offer.
5. Every individual in the optimistic organization believes they have a purpose and mission within the organization.  The individuals can endorse the statement: My organization actively promotes: “The purpose that you wish to find in life requires the faith to take risks and a rejection of the bonds of fear; purpose is something for which one is responsible.” (Michael J. Fox, P. 178) Individuals are valued for efforts at self-improvement and constant re-birth and self-reinvention.
6. Optimistic organizations train and make available role models of optimistic thinking to provide guidance and mentoring to new and old employees. Note: The best golfers in the world are known to take more golf lessons everyday than the amateurs who could really use them. So, to maintain Great Optimism we need ongoing Optimistic Mentoring. The environment is one in which the individual is extremely comfortable, without any fear of stigma and ridicule, in seeking and asking for help anytime, anywhere.
7. Optimistic Organizations avoid “Group Think” by actively encouraging the expression and debate of a variety and opposing perspectives. When such a culture of diversity of input exists, individuals more naturally take responsibility for their choices, work hard to implement them, accept that a revision of choice and goals are needed when progress is limited, and are not afraid to make the “tough choices.”
8. In evaluating the individual’s strengths and weaknesses the Optimistic Organization does “performance appraisal” in the optimistic manner: assessment of strengths and weaknesses is done relative to accomplishment of specific short and long term goals – Task Orientation Focus.  The performance appraisal is not done in a pessimistic manner where the assessment of strengths and weaknesses is done relative to a personal or ego comparison: how the individual “stacks up” against other individuals or some ideal (but unrealistic) persona – Ego Orientation Focus.
9. Optimistic organizations take the “high road” when making decisions, sticking to the core values and principles of “Optimism.”
10. Optimistic Organizations recognize the core importance of stable family structures to the maintenance of an optimistic perspective in life and in the organization - each and every moment. As such, they promote policies that encourage family time together, teach core communication skills that help families work to stay together, and provide mutual support to the members.



By Dr. Russ

Monday is Dr. Russ Busster Day.  It is the day I write about OPTIMISTIC TIPS to "BUSST-UP" any pessimism standing in your way at the beginning of the week. Today I draw on the New Orleans Saints victory in Super Bowl XLIV for optimistic inspiration and wisdom.  For an overview and introduction to “Super Bowl Optimism” check out my mini-blog at Life in Lansing.

TEN SUPER BUSSTERS

1. Vince Lombardi Trophy Busster – “I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious.” ~ Vince Lombardi

2. “Ain’ts” Busster – Those who have failed, failed again and learn to fail better learn not to take teasing and ridicule personally.  Instead, they learn to take it as feedback that there is much to be done and accomplished.  Ridicule is born of strong emotion, indicating somebody cares and is emotionally invested in desire for improvement.

3. Katrina Busster – The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. teaches that, “Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.”  Call the Saints the “Hurricane Comeback Kids.”  A “Skilled Optimist” has learned that opportunity for the “greatest of gains” only occurs when life seems to be at its “darkest hour.” Those who see and seek such opportunity in such moments draw on previously untapped motivational reserves, acquire new skills, persist longer than ever before, and able to keep a sharp focus on attaining the previously thought to be impossible goals.

4. Brees Busster – “We just believed in ourselves and we knew that we had an entire city and maybe an entire country behind us.” (Quarterback Drew Brees quoted by Barry Wilner, Associated Press).  In addition to inspiring great individual dedication, a disaster like Katrina often inspires new collaborative efforts and belief that everyone was out to help New Orleans survive and thrive.

5. Two Point Conversion Busster – Coach Sean Payton took the risk of calling for a two point conversion after Jeremy Shockey’s touchdown so the Saints would be up by seven points requiring a the Colts to score a touchdown and extra point just to tie. At first Lance Moore’s 2 point conversion catch was ruled incomplete, but Payton “challenged” calling for a video replay review.  Upon review, the incomplete pass call was overturned and two points awarded.  The “skilled optimist” knows when to take on the challenge and what is a reasonable risk.

6. Onside Kick Busster – At the beginning of the second half Saints Coach Payton became a role model for an “Optimistic Risk Taker” when he called for an onside kick to start the second half.  He told the team, “You’ve got to make me look good on this . . . that really becomes like a turnover.”  The “risk” worked and New Orleans not Indianapolis” began on the “offensive” side of the ball.  A “skilled optimist” is not afraid of “risk” and with practice over time becomes quite good at “risk taking.”

7. Sean Payton Busster – This “never-before-a-head-coach” coach provides inspiration that the impossible is doable; a 3 and 13 team can become an NFL Division champion the next year - three years after that a “Super Bowl Champion.” More importantly he has inspired an “optimistic” culture within the organization, a culture focused on hard work, responsibility and accountability.  He rebuilt the roster with coaches and players who shared those values. Only eight players remain from the 2005 “Ain’ts.”

8. Paper Bag Busster – Resilience to the ridicule of derogatory name calling is one thing, but resilience to being actively ignored and treated as if “does not exist” takes incredible stamina.  In the 1990’s “disgusted with losing” fans could have shown their complete disdain for the team by not “showing up.”  No, that would have been too easy on everyone.  Instead they showed their displeasure with the symbolic act of wearing a paper bag over their head at the game.   I’m sure such truth hurt, but it likely forced the Saint’s owners out of complacency and toward an ultimate “fix.”

9. Superdome Busster – The Superdome stands as a monument to the “optimism” of the architectural do-over.  Its near destruction by Katrina resulted in re-building an even better venue for sports; now a larger than life symbol of the “never say die spirit” proving that self-reinvention and rebirth are not only possible but preferable to the status quo.

10. “Who Dat” Busster – Making and poking fun at yourself is one of the higher forms of “skilled optimism.”  – “Who dat, who dat, who dat say gonna beat them saints,” became the Saints fans rally cry as they made fun of their own Creole language heritage.  When we can poke fun at ourselves we show we are capable of the highest form of self-worth.

By Dr. Russ,

Every once in awhile a reader sends me some material that strikes me as so compelling that I find I must share it with the entire readership of Moment-to-Moment Optimism.  Today, I refer you to a brief, but very inspiring video, about how a young adult with Down’ syndrome took a simple idea, made it personal, and had a huge impact on the daily optimism of those he “touched."

A bagger with Down’s syndrome at a large supermarket listened carefully to the speech of the consultant hired to improve customer service and loyalty.  He heard her say that everyone can make a difference by creating memories for the customers that will motivate them to come back.

About a month after her speech, she got a call from 19 year old Johnny the bagger with Down’s.  He said at first he couldn’t think of anything special as he was just a bagger.  What could a bagger do?

Then, he said an idea came to him.  Every night after work he would look for an inspirational thought for the day, and with Dad’s help made multiple copies of the message on the computer.  He cut the quotes into small cards and signed his name on the back. He put the message of the day into each customer’s bag.

It wasn’t long before Johnny’s checkout line was three times longer than any other.  When the store manager tried to open up new lanes the customers stood pat saying they wanted Johnny’s “thought for the day.”

To see the rest of the story and to see how Johnny’s simple act of wanting to make a difference transformed the culture of the store form one of ordinary to one of extraordinary OPTIMISM : click on the link and view the short video: "Johnny's Story."