Presentation Summary - Learned Optimism

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Optimism is the way we explain things that happened to us. There is no one "correct" way, since they are just different interpretations from the same information/situation.

The difference between being optimistic and pessimistic is that, in the former you will give yourself ****more chance to become better.****

Three Axes of Explanations

How we explain events shapes our mindset. Each explanation falls on three spectrums:

Impersonal vs Personal

Pessimistic: They don’t like my work because of me.

Optimistic: They don’t like my work because it lacks some features they want.

General vs Specific

Pessimistic: They don’t like my work because it probably sucks at everything.

Optimistic: They don’t like my work because it probably lacks feature A.

Permanent vs Temporary

Pessimistic: People always hate my work my whole life, and it’s not going to change.

Optimistic: They don’t like my work. A guy told me on that day.

Learned Optimism in Practice

Frame good and bad events differently to maximize your chances:

Optimistic praise for good things should be personal, general, and permanent:

“This issue you filed shows why you have been and will continue to be an asset to the community.”

Optimistic criticism for bad things should be impersonal, specific, and temporary:

“This pull request does not currently meet our current standards, because these specific A, B and C reasons.”