Quadrant of Optimism & Pessimism
How to Develop an Optimistically Optimistic (OO) Mindset
In December 1914, a massive fire engulfed Thomas Edison’s laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey. The inferno consumed years of experiments, records, and prototypes, resulting in catastrophic losses—not just financially, but also decades of hard work and creativity. For most, such a disaster would have been paralyzing, leading to despair and resignation.
Edison’s reaction, however, was extraordinary. Upon seeing the fire, he reportedly turned to his son and said, “Go get your mother and all her friends. They’ll never see a fire like this again.” This response revealed his remarkable optimism and ability to find a silver lining even in moments of tremendous loss.
The following day, as he surveyed the smoldering ruins, Edison famously remarked, “There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew.” His positive outlook fueled his determination to rebuild. Within three weeks, his manufacturing operation was back in business, and within months, his laboratory was fully operational again. One of the most notable inventions that followed this setback was the alkaline storage battery, which revolutionized the power industry for electrical vehicles and industrial production.
Edison’s resilience and optimism became a beacon of inspiration, showing that even when life delivers devastating challenges, a positive mindset can transform adversity into opportunity. Edison epitomizes what it means to be Optimistically Optimistic (OO)—a mindset akin to the concept of antifragility, where challenges are not just overcome but used as a catalyst for growth and improvement. Antifragility, a term coined by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, refers to the ability to grow stronger from adversity.
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence” - Helen Keller
Definition of Optimistic & Pessimistic Behavior
Optimism and pessimism can be defined as:
Optimism - is the belief that positive outcomes are possible and that challenges can be overcome with hope and effort.
Pessimism - is the belief that negative outcomes are likely and that challenges may be insurmountable or lead to unfavorable results.
The Optimism-Pessimism Spectrum: A Simple Analogy
The classic "half-empty or half-full" analogy can simplify the behaviors:
The Optimist: Views the glass as half full, focusing on the abundance that exists and the opportunity it represents. This perspective leans toward gratitude and positivity.
The Pessimist: Sees the glass as half empty, emphasizing what's missing or what has been lost. This outlook leans toward caution or dissatisfaction.
Typically we are in between the spectrum of optimism and pessimism. Where do you see yourself on this spectrum?
Understanding the Four Quadrants of Optimism and Pessimism
The spectrum can be categorized into four quadrants:
Optimistically Optimistic (OO) - optimistic by natural behavior with always an optimistic outlook of the future. The belief is that things will work out no matter what and actively seek opportunities in challenges.
Optimistically Pessimistic (OP) - optimistic by natural behavior with a pessimistic outlook of the future. The belief is optimistic, but with a cautious approach—appearing upbeat while preparing for the worst.
Pessimistically Optimistic (PO) - pessimistic by natural behavior with optimistic outlook of the future. The belief is in the long-term things will improve with an expectation of short-term failure.
Pessimistically Pessimistic (PP) - pessimistic by natural behavior with pessimistic outlook of the future. The belief is truly pessimistic in the current moment and of the future, the tendency is to focus on the challenges and obstacles making it difficult to action.
Most of us are somewhere in between the quadrants of OO to PP. Recognizing your personality type can help you lean into your strengths and work on the areas where your perspective might limit you. For example the mindset for going to the gym for each quadrant would be:
OO - Sees a grueling workout as a fun opportunity to grow stronger.
OP - Approaches a workout knowing it’ll be tough but believes they’ll feel good afterward.
PO - Grumbles about starting the workout but believes it’ll pay off in the long term.
PP - Avoids working out, focusing on how hard it feels and doubting its benefit.
The Dynamic Nature of Quadrants
Interestingly, individuals can shift between quadrants depending on the activity or context. For instance, a person might adopt an OO mindset when investing long-term, remaining calm and resilient despite short-term market fluctuations. However, that same individual might approach exercise with a PP mindset, perceiving it as too challenging and unproductive.
By identifying where you fall within these quadrants for different aspects of life, we can better understand our behavioral tendencies. This awareness allows us to address our shortcomings and consciously shift toward an OO mindset, enabling us to thrive and grow stronger in the face of adversity.
Developing an OO Mindset
In 1991, Martin Seligman developed the concept of learned optimism. His research emphasized that optimism is not solely an innate trait but a skill that can be cultivated through deliberate effort.
Psychological studies show that optimism is linked to greater resilience, faster recovery from stress, and improved problem-solving. Seligman performed a experiment in 1990, by testing highly trained college level swimmers with Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ) - a test to determine whether someone is a optimist or pessimist. Each swimmer was then told to swim their best race. After the first race, Seligman instructed to inform each swimmer that their swim time was actually slower by 1.5 - 5 seconds, depending on the length. After a period of rest, swimmers were asked to swim their best race once again. The pessimists, crushed by failure, found it psychologically challenging to overcome the set-back, resulting in an even worse performance on their subsequent try. The optimists, on the other hand, fueled by failure to perform better, delivered an even better performance on their subsequent try.
So when Matt Biondi competed in the 200-metre freestyle in the 1988 Seoul Olympics and finished a disappointing third place and then was beat out in the final two metres of the 100-metre butterfly losing to Anthony Nesty of Suriname, commentators speculated that there was no way he could come back from such crushing defeats. Martin Seligman knew differently - because Matt Biondi was one of those Berkeley swimmers and he tested in the top quarter for optimism. Biondi went on to win five gold medals in Seoul.
Here are some strategies to foster an OO mindset:
Recognize negative thoughts - raise your consciousness of the self-talk and identify the pessimistic nature. Edison recognized this thoughts by: “Go get your mother and all her friends. They’ll never see a fire like this again.”
Challenge negative beliefs - question the negative beliefs that are inherently present due to past experiences and replace them with more balanced perspectives. Edison challenged his belief by: “There is great value in disaster.”
Reframe situations - view setbacks through an antifragile mindset. Edison reframed the situation by: “All our mistakes are burned up.” Simply, Edison did not cling to the past, nor grasp for the future. He simply was—one with the fire, the loss, and the rebirth.
Practice Gratitude - regularly reflect on the positive aspects of life to shift focus away from negativity. Edison practiced gratitude by: “Thank God we can start anew.”
“Optimism, like a muscle, can be strengthened through positivity and gratitude” - Alan Rozanski
MinDvesting Summary
No matter where you see yourself on the spectrum, only you have the power shift our mindset. The shift is instead of asking: “Why did this happen to me?”, ask “How can I use this to grow?”
Life will throw fires your way. Sometimes, they’ll consume everything you’ve built. But in those moments, you have a choice: Do you stand among the ashes and mourn what’s lost? Or do you, like Edison, see the flames as a gift—burning away mistakes and giving you a chance to rise stronger?
True antifragile behavior is not about rebuilding. It’s about realizing you never lost anything to begin with. There were no fires. There was no loss. There is only what is, as it has always been. The mind perceives destruction, but the soul sees only perfection.
The dream is too big. The obstacles are too small. Keep moving forward.