Pessimist Or Optimist?

Do you see the glass half full or glass half empty? Do you expect the worst, or do you look at the bright side? Depending on how you see the different scenarios, you could be optimistic or pessimistic.

Let’s look at a statement like “I am sorry we have decided to go with another service provider.”

If the interpretation is the deal is lost- You may have a glass half empty outlook. Because “decided” does not mean executed.

All of us decide many things, but we don’t necessarily follow through on all the decisions we make. 

• I decided I would wake up at 6 am, but I did not. 

• A client decided that he would want to go with a specific vendor, but he has not yet issued the purchase order .

You have decided means you have resolved to do something. It does not mean that you have done it. So, there is always that space open for the decision to be reversed.

It’s normal to assume the worst in some situations. However, if you are an optimist, you will extract something positive from even the most negative scenarios. 

“Thank god, you have only decided to award the contract to the other entity. You have not awarded the contract yet. So, there is still hope. All I have to do is to provide a compelling counteroffer.”

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?