Research has shown that true realistic thinking (read optimism) not only increases hopefulness, but also decreases negative coping skills, depression , and even suicidal thinking. So next time you’re telling yourself “I’m just being realistic,” ask yourself – are you?
What does it mean to be a realistic person?
1 : a person who recognizes what is real or possible in a particular situation : one who accepts and deals with things as they really are a political realist She considers herself a realist when it comes to parenting.
What’s the difference between realistic and negative?
Negative and Realism are two words that are different when it comes to their concepts and understanding. Negative consists in thinking that things will never happen and will never work out . On the other hand, realism consists in being encouraging with words of advice and counsel.
Why is being realistic better?
You’re prepared for the absolute worst, because you’re smart like that. It’s great to have an optimistic attitude, but it’s downright silly to think something positive is the only possible outcome. ... Being well organised and prepared actually stimulates your confidence , and as a result, your optimism.
Is it better to be optimistic or realistic?
While realistic optimists believe in their power to make good things happen, even through rough conditions. Realistic optimists believe in their power to make good things happen, even through rough conditions. ... This kind of mindset, Grant explains, is much more beneficial than being an unrealistic optimist.
Is being realistic pessimistic?
Although our modern notion of ‘being realistic’ is much closer to standard pessimism , i.e. downplaying the good things and seeing the bad as inevitable, a true realist is someone who makes completely unbiased judgements and who doesn’t see things through any kind of filter, neither a positive nor a negative one.
What is realistic thinking?
Realistic thinking means looking at all aspects of a situation (the positive, the negative, and the neutral) before making conclusions. In other words, realistic thinking means looking at yourself, others, and the world in a balanced and fair way. Page 2.
Can pessimists be happy?
One thing that positive psychology research has taught us is that major setbacks do not cause people to feel unhappy for as long as people predict. ... Optimists tend to feel happier in general, and pessimists tend to feel less happy than that . If you’re a pessimist, it’s always possible to learn how to become an optimist.
Are realistic people happy?
They found that when it comes to the happiness stakes, overestimating outcomes were associated with lower wellbeing than setting realistic expectations. ... The findings point to the benefits of making decisions based on accurate, unbiased assessments.
Is it better to be realistic or dream big?
In this basic writing performance, the writer takes the position that being realistic will give you “a better chance of accomplishing what you want,” while dreaming big will just “waste your time.” She uses a series of examples (getting a better job, a new car, and a raise) to illustrate the advantages of being ...
How can I be optimistic but realistic?
Cultivate your realistic optimism by combining a positive attitude with an honest assessment of the challenges that await you. Don’t visualize success — visualize the steps you will take in order to make success happen.
What is unrealistic optimism?
Unrealistic optimism also occurs when people unduly predict that their personal outcomes will be more favorable than the outcomes of peers (Shepperd et al., 2013). ... Investigations have also demonstrated unrealistic absolute optimism when comparing people’s estimates with population base rates.
Is being pessimistic a bad thing?
Pessimism is not a trait most people aspire to. It’s often associated with negativity, a “half-full” attitude, depression, and other mood disorders. However, a healthy dose of negative thinking isn’t necessarily all bad . ... In fact, sometimes a little pessimism might actually be a good thing.
Are realists more depressed?
Not only were depressed individuals more realistic in their judgments , they argued, but the very illusion of being in control held by those who weren’t depressed was likely protecting them from depression in the first place.
Why do pessimists think they are realists?
So why do we often hear pessimists calling themselves “realists”? There may be a clue in the second part of our definition of realism: “ rejection of the impractical and visionary .” Often society views “optimists” as silly visionaries who don’t have a realistic understanding of how the world works.
