Inspire Optimism by Jack Canfield is a small book with many good ideas about motivation and optimism. It has many examples of people who have changed their lives simply by taking one small step in the right direction. It gives an interesting account of how a man with little formal education became a celebrated writer, doctor and educator, but also tells the story of another who with almost no formal education managed to become a US President.
The book's title, Inspire Optimism, is quite appropriate. Not only do we need to encourage us to keep going in the face of obstacles, but we also need to motivate ourselves when we hit a wall or feel that all is lost. We need to be constantly reminding ourselves that we can achieve great things if we are willing to put forth the effort. This is one book that reminds us that life is a gift from God. It shows us that we can indeed reach beyond our present level of ability.
Canfield starts the book by reminding us that we live in a world of instant gratification. Most of what we want and need today, we get instantly. This causes many to give up and throw in the towel before even trying. He contends that if we set standards for ourselves, we will be able to resist the siren song of the moment. He also points out that most people don't take the time to develop their talents or skills, so they are stuck trying to be successful at what they think they should be doing instead of living life to its fullest.
Canfield points out that we should not look down on those who are more talented than us because we are in the same position as them. Rather, he suggests, we look up to them for examples of what not to do. He writes, "If you have been trying to make a dent on the world and have found it has not materialized, you are not crazy. Rather, you are looking in the wrong places." He then lists some of the reasons that prove that he is right.
The concept of putting ones head when it's already too late is very interesting. In order to move forward, one must always have an open mind. This can be difficult when the world around us is telling us that we are wrong and that we should simply quit trying. The saying, "If it isn't broke, don't fix it" is very true. We can't fix a broken heart.
To Canfield, the only way to succeed in life is to believe in ourselves and to be willing to take action regardless of the obstacles that might stand in our way. It is easier said than done, though. He admits that some people simply are not born into rich families and have to work their way up.
What inspires pessimists is their fear of failure. In the case of the rich and famous, their fear often comes from envy of their less fortunate peers. In his words, "We who fail to start are never done; we begin again." Although it sounds inspirational, many cannot follow through with his advice because they believe they already know what they want to do. There are plenty of examples of people who have been famous for a long time and then faded into oblivion. It's important to remember that no one has ever succeeded exactly as they expect.
No one has ever failed due to divine intervention or luck. If we are scared of failing, it may prevent us from taking action and moving towards our goals. It's important to remember that we have control over what happens to us, not other people or circumstances. When we are able to look at our situation objectively, we will quickly find that we have little to lose and lots to gain. By having realistic expectations, pessimists can find hope within their dream.
