Perfectionism is one of our biggest obstacles to success – “Perfect is the enemy of good.” Cultivating optimism is one way to avoid the traps of perfectionism because you can start to plan for and work towards the future with less fear.
A brief writing exercise can help us cultivate optimism. It’s called “Best Possible Self.”
- Write down a description of a potential future in which everything has gone right – your family life, personal life, physical health, finances, and career.
- Take 15 minutes to describe in vivid detail what you and your life are like in this best possible future. Dream big and use your creativity to imagine what is possible.
When repeated over time, this exercise helps you focus on what you really care about in life, and helps energize you to overcome obstacles to your goals.
