Who Are More Successful: Optimists or Pessimists?

It's generally accepted as cultural wisdom that it is better to see the glass half full as opposed to half empty. However, pessimists seem considerably more driven to make a meaningful impact on the world, whether it be financially, socially, politically or whatever aspects of life that they are the most pessimistic about. On the other hand, the glass half full gang almost always seems far more happy. Does a pessimistic view motivate one more to improve their situation? Do people with these differing frames of reference even define success the same way?

Lotus eaters are not the most driven crowd because feeling that everything is right with the world is hardly motivation to start shaking things up. Give a pessimist a glass of sub par wine, and he or she is likely to notice some flaws and try something different next time, while a optimist can call it good enough and simply enjoy the beverage. The optimist, content with his lot, remains so, but the pessimist perceives the flaws and wants something better. This may make the pessimist an unpleasant dinner guest, but are there circumstances where such a perspective is beneficial?

The movers of history in industry, society and the world have never been satisfied with the status quo. They are pessimistic enough to see flaws in their environment that they are driven to change. In the case of global politics, neo-conservatives saw a troubled Middle East that they believed they could transform, while the leaders of the green revolution see a planet in danger that they have the power to save. Their values may be radically opposing, but they all still see a flawed world which they believe they can improve. Nonetheless, how does a pessimist believe that change is so possible?

The belief in change demonstrated in President Obama's "Yes We Can" was not so much an optimistic rallying cry of hope as it was a pessimistic call to arms against a flawed world requiring radical change. Most inspired individuals don't just believe that the situation in question is bad but that things are going to get much, much worse if they don't make a stand. They may be comforted by some rays of hope, but what really keeps them plugging away is the knowledge that failure simply isn't an option. A striving athlete does not win because of a hopeful song in the heart but because loosing is viewed as unacceptable.

While it seems that a sense of pessimism is behind much of genuine motivation, the happiness of true optimists is proof positive of the dangers of being critical in general. Genuine optimists are not driven night and day because they are not haunted by flaws and missed opportunities, free instead to accept life and the world for what it is. For those who carry that pessimism to all parts of their life, it is a frustrating road. They always could have had a bigger house, better wine and more fame or glory. Perhaps we are all best to focus on changing not everything that we can, but everything that we must while carry a simple gratitude for the rest.