OptimismOptimism

What is it? What is it? &&How does it help me be successful in How does it help me be successful in school?school?

What do you think optimism What do you think optimism is?is?

Please write down your definition of Please write down your definition of optimism.optimism.

Optimism Optimism

The dictionary has several definitions for The dictionary has several definitions for optimism… optimism…

Optimizing everything that is for the bestOptimizing everything that is for the best

a disposition or tendency to look on the more a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome. expect the most favorable outcome.

the belief that good ultimately predominates the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world.over evil in the world.

Who do you know…?Who do you know…?

Think of a student that you know that is Think of a student that you know that is successful in school.successful in school.

Write down the reasons that you think Write down the reasons that you think they are successful.they are successful.

OptimismOptimism

Did you know that optimism can predict Did you know that optimism can predict whether a student will succeed? whether a student will succeed? Why/how do you think that is true?Why/how do you think that is true?

Did you ever…?Did you ever…?

Did you ever have a bad day?Did you ever have a bad day? Did it just get worse?Did it just get worse? OrOr Were you able to turn it around?Were you able to turn it around?

In order to be optimistic In order to be optimistic what can I do?what can I do?

I am going to teach you a few things you I am going to teach you a few things you can do to be optimistic!can do to be optimistic!

““I Feel Good”-An ActivityI Feel Good”-An Activity

Do you have any friends that are Do you have any friends that are miserable?miserable?

Stand the way a miserable person might Stand the way a miserable person might stand.stand.

How do you feel?How do you feel?

Rub your hands together.Rub your hands together. Now reach your hands toward the ceilingNow reach your hands toward the ceiling Smile and try to feel bad while you’re Smile and try to feel bad while you’re

smiling!smiling! Now rub your hands together, reach Now rub your hands together, reach

toward the ceiling, and say “I feel toward the ceiling, and say “I feel GOOD!”GOOD!”

Would you like to be able to be happy by Would you like to be able to be happy by just trying to be happy?just trying to be happy?

Now lets make a switch.Now lets make a switch. Hold your arms straight out and make a Hold your arms straight out and make a

fist.fist. Quickly draw your arm back toward your Quickly draw your arm back toward your

body and say “YES!”body and say “YES!” Lets do it again…Lets do it again…

Arms straight up and say “I FEEL Arms straight up and say “I FEEL GOOD!!”GOOD!!”

Fist straight out draw it back quickly and Fist straight out draw it back quickly and say “YES”say “YES”

Another strategy to help Another strategy to help us be Optimistic!us be Optimistic!

Listen to my story called “Treasure Listen to my story called “Treasure Hunters and Trash Collectors”Hunters and Trash Collectors”

Becoming a treasure Becoming a treasure hunter…hunter…

Think of five thing you feel good about Think of five thing you feel good about and write them down.and write them down.

Then I will tell you my fiveThen I will tell you my five If you want to share you may but you If you want to share you may but you

don’t have to…don’t have to…

IllustrateIllustrate

Now draw a picture of your five things Now draw a picture of your five things you feels good aboutyou feels good about

Go and give five people a high-five and Go and give five people a high-five and read what your five things are to them read what your five things are to them and they can read their five to you!and they can read their five to you!

Adding it all up!Adding it all up!

Everyday keep a list of the things you Everyday keep a list of the things you feel good aboutfeel good about

Keep adding to your list.Keep adding to your list. You can add one each day.You can add one each day.

When you feel down in When you feel down in the dumpsthe dumps

Everyone has a time when they feel Everyone has a time when they feel unhappy.unhappy.

When you feel sad go to your list and When you feel sad go to your list and look at itlook at it

Think about all the goods things that you Think about all the goods things that you have on your listhave on your list

Remember you are can turn your mood Remember you are can turn your mood around from sad to happy in an instantaround from sad to happy in an instant

Ask yourself this Ask yourself this question…question…

Are you a trash collector or a treasure Are you a trash collector or a treasure hunter?hunter?

Decide for your self and turn yourself into Decide for your self and turn yourself into a treasure hunter always gathering up a treasure hunter always gathering up the good things in life!the good things in life!