How to Make Pessimism Work for You
The surprising benefits of being a pessimist
It’s rarely a compliment when somebody calls you a pessimist. But it’s also been shown that pessimism can spur you to act like nothing else can! Here are four ways to make your naturally pessimistic take on the world work for you.
From Pessimism to Preparation
Being aware that unexpected things can happen, whether in a relationship or during a presentation, often feels like a disadvantage. It doesn’t have to be. Use the imaginative power that often comes along with your pessimistic thoughts, and imagine a few things that might go wrong with a future event or job.
Once you’ve thought of a few “worst-case scenarios,” you’ll feel motivated to prepare as much as possible. Think the Internet might go down during your presentation? Make sure you have a way to cover your material offline. Think you might be late to an appointment? Research a couple of different ways to get there, and leave just a bit earlier. Being prepared for at least one or two unexpected twists can make you feel much more confident that “you’ve got this.”
Allow Your Pessimism to Work Its Charm
Often people who worry a bit can be self-effacing charmers who use humor to defuse…
