+1 #772: Let’s Try to Be Optimists

Hi, this is Brian. Welcome back to another Optimize plus one. Let's wrap up our quick look at Colin Powell's thoughts on the power of grounded optimism with one more gem. This one's from rule number four of his 13 rules. The rule it can be done. Powell tells us this familiar quotation is on a desk plaque given to me by the great humorist Art Bushwalt. Once again, he says, it is more about attitude than reality. Maybe it can't be done, but always start out believing you can get it done until facts and analysis pile up against it. Have a positive and enthusiastic approach to every task. Don't surround yourself with instant skeptics. At the same time, don't shut out skeptics and colleagues who give you solid counter views. It can be done should not metamorphose into a blindly can do approach which leaves you running into brick walls. He says, I tried to be an optimist, but I try not to be stupid. End quote. I laughed when I first read that last line, and again as I typed it out, and again as I share it now. I try to be an optimist, but I try not to be stupid. Once again, we want to ground our levity with some gravity to reach the optimal level of buoyancy. Check out the links to a one on that. That's today's one. Let's start with it can be done as we stay open to the data that's coming in so we notice any potential brick walls. In short and in sum, let's try to be optimist, but try not to be stupid.