Moment-to-Moment Optimism

By Dr. Russ,

Wednesday is “Just One Thing Day.”  It is the day I answer the oft asked question:  “Please, please Dr. Russ can you tell me ‘just one more thing’ so I can get one more moment of optimism into my day?  The answer is the “Optimism Tip of the Week.”

Dr. Russ Buss Optimism Tip of the Week

You DO get OPTIMISM CREDIT for “just showing up.”  But, you get OPTIMISM EXTRA CREDIT for "showing up and working the ‘crowd.’”

What is an OPTIMISM CREDIT?  ~ It is a self-created opportunity to engage in a process of optimistic inspiration in a given moment through imaginative sharing that has the potential to “make things happen.”

What is OPTIMISM EXTRA CREDIT? ~ It incorporates all of the above under “Optimism Credit” with the addition and multiplication effects that result from “taking a risk” to meet someone new, listen instead of talk, try out a new idea on the crowd, foster a new or deepen an existing relationship.

“SHOWING-UP” means you have created an opportunity for a connection of optimism to occur; a new or expanded possibility.  Taking the RISK of “WORKING THE CROWD” meeting new people, meeting  one on one, speaking to the group, displaying wares, volunteering to do something for the group, or performing for the crowd has the potential to create a huge EXTRA CREDIT multiplier effect.

Seven Tips to Build Optimism with Extra Credit

1.    You get CREDIT for posting a blog once in awhile - you SHOWED-UP on the Web.  You get EXTRA CREDIT for writing a blog 3-5 times a week for 52 weeks.  The sheer effort or writing that many posts is hard work and has the potential to reach a crowd.

2.    You get CREDIT for attending a face-to-face networking event hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, or Business Network International.  You get EXTRA CREDIT when you meet others you do not know or know well and ask them about their profession or business, then listen and ask a follow-up question or two before talking about yourself.

3.    Some 2,700 Olympic athletes got CREDIT for showing up and competing.  Every one of those athletes who obtained a “personal best” time or performance got EXTRA CREDIT.

4.    Apolo Ohno SHOWED-UP and hung back in forth place in the 1,500 meter short track Olympic race.  He was in a strategic position to earn the EXTRA CREDIT when two of the three Koreans ahead of him got tangled up, fell and were out of the race; leaving Apolo the opportunity to win a Silver and get his EXTRA CREDIT.

5.    When I was a beginning graduate student at Indiana University quite a few years ago, not knowing a soul, I took the RISK OF SHOWING-UP at some department social functions that summer, pushed myself to be more extroverted than I felt, and obtained the EXTRA CREDIT REWARD of being invited to be a teaching assistant when a last minute opportunity occurred.

6.    Our “Struggling Optimist” has reported on his struggles to push himself to SHOW-UP at networking events to make connections for job opportunities.  If he DOES NOT SHOW-UP there is no opportunity.  If he does the EXTRA CREDIT, he creates the possibility for a multitude of opportunities.

7.    I have attended a weekly business meeting for nearly five years.  Once in five years, my alarm failed to go off, I overslept; woke up a few minutes before the meeting was supposed to start.  I thought for a moment about NOT SHOWING-UP, not wanting to RISK the embarrassment of being late.  Then thought better of it, and arrived twenty minutes late into a 90 minute meeting.  At the end of the meeting my name was drawn as winner of the weekly door prize: I received the EXTRA CREDIT of dinner for two at a lovely restaurant!!!

Skilled optimists create the opportunity for luck to happen by SHOWING-UP, and when they take a RISK AND WORK THE CROWD they move from creating to actually  MAKING THEIR OWN LUCK.

By Dr. Russ

Does the media hype for the 2010 Winter Olympics have us over-focused on winning GOLD at the expense of Optimism?  COULD too much emphasis on WINNING MEDALS, THE MEDAL COUNT, and BEING THE COUNTRY WITH THE MOST MEDALS actually UNDERMINE our OPTIMISM?

In my blog of a week ago, I raised the question of why do the Olympic athletes compete.  My answer suggested that since the chances of any of the 2,700 plus athletes winning any medal was less than 9% (less than 3% for gold) it might be considered “foolhardy” to be thinking seriously about GOLD.

However, NBC, the print media, and all other media continually and almost exclusively report about who is winning medals.  They are not reporting on the other 90 to 97% of the athletes. 

Now, many of the athletes themselves may have the Gold, Silver and Bronze in appropriate perspective, but I wonder if John Q. Public shares this VIEW? 

• I raise this question because in a USA Today Quick Question Poll – 78% answered – “YES: Winning a lot of medals is all good” – in response to: “Are you satisfied with the American medal showing so far?”  A mere 15% answered – “Don’t care: I’m interested only in the events.”  (USA Today – 3C – February 23, 2010).

Lest you think I am some kind of anti-medal curmudgeon, I assure you I enjoy watching an athlete record such an elite performance that it is Medal worthy.  Why, because like Bode Miller I enjoy perfection hewn out of hard work and continual skill building; not unlike how we might enjoy the sound of a Stradivarius Violin or a Steinway Piano.

How can Going for the Gold Undermine Optimism?

Five Ways that a Focus on the Reward of Gold, Silver and Bronze can Undermine Optimism

Reduced Risk Taking

• Evan Lysacek became the first American male to win Gold in the Men’s Figure Skating competition in over twenty years.  He won without taking the RISK of doing a “quadruple jump.”  He was criticized for his lack of RISK TAKING by Evgeni Pleshenko, Russion Gold medalist from 2006 and 2010 Silver medalist said: "If the Olympic champion doesn't know how to jump a quad, I don't know . . . Now it's not men's figure skating, now it's dancing."

Actual Interference with Performance

• As I have argued in past bogs, focusing on “doing the next thing right” instead of the “doing the next right thing” usually interferes with the performance.  In 2006 we saw Lindsey Jacobellis make a hot dog celebratory move, resulting in a fall, thinking she had won GOLD before finishing the race.

Inhibits Collaboration and Sharing

• The current revival of American Tap Dance, the only dance form indigenous to America, is partly hindered by a lack of written records.  You see, in the 1920’s-1950’s the 20th Century hey day of American Tap, the top Vaudeville “tappers” did not want anyone to steal their routines; kept them hidden.  The modern Tap Revival has thrived on Tap Festivals and Jam sessions with everyone sharing skill, routines and new ideas.  Similarly, an over focus on winning the medal can inhibit the type of sharing and collaboration among these athletes that would lead to enhanced perfection of skill in the sport.

Deters Appreciation of Cultural Differences

• When we here the Men’s Russian skater verbally criticizing, slamming the American Gold Medalist, we are hardly motivated to explore and learn more about Russian culture; instead we are likely to focus a defending the “American Way.”

Reinforce Belief in Static rather than Fluid Abilities 

• Static Ability is the belief that one’s ability of any kind is stable, unchangeable, “born with,” inherited, or God Given,” and therefore not subject to growth or improvement.  Fluid Ability is the belief that abilities are like skills that can be practiced, honed and improved over time. The Media hype over Medal winning can easily lead to the superficial notion that those “who have it” win the GOLD and “those that don’t lose.”

Stay Tuned for Tomorrow’s post with guidelines for how to RESTORE optimism to our enjoyment of Olympic competition.
 

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

Today I talk about five more “Shining Moments of Optimism” to guide your New Year Resolutions.  Today’s “Shining Moments” are focused on resolutions to improve your business, organization, workplace or profession; optimistic resolutions that have the potential to improve not only your attitude at work, but your health and bottom-line.

Maturational Moment of Optimism

Resolve to recognize the wisdom you have gained in your profession or work in 2009 and to use it in 2010. Recall the age old story of the 21 to 23 year old son or daughter who returns home after a time away at college, a military stint, or other out of town assignment.  The now grown-up child says to the parent in a heart-to-heart conversation, “Gee Dad (Mom), you sure have gotten smarter in the last four years."  We all know who got smarter.  In my opinion, every year we are on this earth we gain in wisdom and insight.  As we enter 2010, it is time to take stock of that wisdom and make plans to use it.  Wisdom comes from a combination of knowledge, information and on-the-job experience that leads us to make better decisions, choices and judgments.

Correctional Moment of Optimism

Resolve that in 2010 you will increase your risk taking and mistake making so that you have more opportunities to learn and develop your business or professional competence. When I was in college and living in a dormitory, it was not uncommon to hear another student brag the he had gotten an A on a test without studying for it.  For some reason we all gave the braggart’s claim credibility and held him in high academic esteem.  Later on I learned what a bunch of baloney this claim was, as even the “academic braggart” had to put forth effort as course work became more advanced.  Bottom line:  In order to learn from our mistakes and be in a position to take advantage of a “Correctional Moment of Optimism” (a moment when you realize you made a mistake and take immediate action to correct it and get new future for yourself with respect to a particular task or goal), you must have put forth maximum effort.  Without maximum effort, one does not know what new skills, abilities, tactics, resources, or information is needed to make a successful correction plan.  Anything less than maximum effort is “self-handicapping.”

Me Moment of Optimism

Resolve that in 2010 you will take full, personal credit for your accomplishments in your work, business or profession.  In order to maintain maximum, continuous motivation it is necessary to recognize that your hard work, skill and ability made the positive outcome happen.  We often have a tendency to be humble and say to ourselves, “Oh, that was no big deal.”  I’m not talking about over-confidence and conceit here, just enough self-praise to keep the momentum rolling.  Giving ourselves a “carrot” works better than  the “self-chastising stick” and self-reinforcement, perhaps more than money, makes the business grow, the motivational engine “hum,” and ultimately the world-go-round.

You Moment of Optimism

Resolve to become hyper-vigilant about looking for the best in others.  It is an old adage that building on strengths is much easier than “shoring-up” weaknesses. In any organization we have a tendency to complain a lot about employees who are not producing, co-workers wasting time, rudeness to customers, bosses that do not give credit where it is due, and decisions contrary to our opinions.  That’s right, a tendency to blame others for “what is wrong in the organization and even the world at large.”  The “blame game” is a “YOU MOMENT OF PESSIMISM.”  If we look long and hard enough we can find positive attributes in even our most disliked coworkers.  Taking a moment to focus on these strengths of the other will allow for a more positive and productive work climate.

Backwards Moment of Optimism

Resolve to never give up, but always have a back-up plan.  Recall how often I have written in the last year about the importance of focusing on “what you CAN control” and NOT on “what you CAN’T control.” Recently, I have encountered several dozen individuals who are unemployed or laid-off, and who are starting their own businesses.  When I talk with these self-starting, entrepreneurs about optimism, I remind them that they do not control the ultimate success or failure of their business, but they do control “a million other choices” including effort, hours worked, networking opportunities, strategic planning, researching new ideas, and getting needed training.  I also remind them that they control their goal setting.  What do I mean by control over goal setting?  Optimists learn to set a range of high, low and moderate expectation goals, and are prepared to scale back expectations based on information and feedback.  Lowering expectations and having a “back-up” plan allow for continuous striving and are the essence of  “OPTIMISTIC GOAL SETTING.”

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By Dr. Russ

This week in Moment-to-Moment Optimism, Dr. Russ addressed a variety of optimism topics including holiday gift giving, blogging for optimism, and never giving-in to cancer. The first of two guest posts addressed the biological basis of holiday pessimism, and the second addressed worries of meeting-up with unwanted questions from relatives at a holiday gathering.

What follows is Dr. Russ’s favorite Baker's Dozen Tips from this potpourri of posts.

1.    Do give: The Gift of a Glass Half Full: Fill a cup, glass, or jar with gourmet coffees, herbal teas, or cocoa mix.  Tie a bow on it.  Make your own holiday greeting card with this optimistic message:  “This cup is already half-full of my gift of joy to you, fill the rest with this delightful (coffee, tea, cocoa).”

2.    Do give: The Gift of Optimistic Motivation Orientation (failure and setbacks are expected): Frame a picture of your son or daughter in a soccer uniform. Below the picture have an inscription like this:  “While the team didn’t win many games, you played your heart out in every game and never gave up.”

3.    Do give: The Gift of Risk Taking: Give someone a “new activity gift” to do something with you that neither of you have done before such as take a yoga lesson, run or walk in a 5 K race event, go canoeing, etc.

4.    If you blog you have to believe you have something to say and want to say it whether for your own amusement, benefit of family friends or the world population; now that is some optimism.

5.    Blogs are a way to talk about failures and setbacks and engage in a dialogue with others in similar circumstances; a way of getting an optimistic, never say “die” perspective on difficult and challenging circumstances.

6.    Once you have posted in the blogosphere, your post is there forever; a kind of universal persistence that symbolizes optimism.  

7.    We can never forget the inspiring words of Jim Valvano who said: “DON’T EVER GIVE UP, DON’T EVER GIVE UP, DON’T EVER GIVE UP to cancer."

8.    She gave this “fight back to cancer”  when she put on her best make-up, hair-do, and clothing outfit walking proud to the car saying to the world: “I WILL NEVER GIVE UP, I WILL NEVER GIVE, I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!”

9.    He gave his “fight back to cancer” when he hung on to the day his daughter was born and held her in his arms before his body succumbed to the disease.

10.    This father gave this “fight back to cancer” when he learned to view Samantha, his daughter,  as a “gift” and that each moment she was alive and present he was to enjoy this precious gift from God.   

11.    If you find yourself struggling to stay optimistic this time of year, look at the food you’re eating. If you find a correlation between how you feel and the food you eat, get to work.

12.    Eat consistent amounts of protein, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains at regular intervals throughout the day. This will give you steady levels of serotonin and beta-endorphin and lead to feelings of self-control, happiness, and connection to those around you.

13.    Dreading the holiday gathering where Over and Over Again the Same Question will be asked about why you don’t have a job; then having to listen to useless and unsolicited advice?  Commiserate with the “Struggling Optimist."

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