Optimist International1 Choosing Optimism as a Philosophy of Life A Skills Development Module by Michel Listenberger

Optimist International2 Workshop Overview Optimist Assessment Quiz Promise and Commitment Developing Self-Esteem Sharing Optimism Your Uniqueness Your Mission for a better World

Optimist International3 Pessimism vs. Optimism Pessimism: “More than at any other time in history, mankind faces a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The other, to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose correctly.” Woody Allen Optimism: Live a positive life and develop relationships guided by the “Optimist Creed”

Optimist International4 I. Optimist Assessment Quiz Where are you Now? I am ---- I can ---- I value ---- I see ---- I appreciate ---- I greet ---- I laugh ---- I feel ----

Optimist International5 Introductions Introduce yourself and tell something specific that you like about yourself.

Optimist International6 What is Optimism? ? Your Definition ?

Optimist International7 What is the Value of Optimism to you and those around you? ? Value ?

Optimist International8 II. Choosing Optimism – Promise and Commitment First Optimist Club in Buffalo, NY Optimist International formed in Louisville “Optimist Creed” adopted in in Kansas City

Optimist International9 Our First Choice of the Day What is our reaction to our Alarm Clock ringing? “Good morning, God” or “Good God, it’s morning”

Optimist International10 The Invisible Coin PMA – Positive Mental Attitude NMA – Negative Mental Attitude It’s your choice!

Optimist International11 What positive attitudes and actions can you take? Your television cable went out and will be down for the next week!

Optimist International12 Pollyanna Optimism Expects outcomes without regard for practicality Soft-headed delusions versus pragmatic realism Disillusion and Cynicism versus positive expectation

Optimist International13 Promise Yourself You have chosen Optimist International Affiliation The “Creed” is Ten Promises to Yourself Benefits are directly proportional to your dedication “If it is to be, it is up to me!”

Optimist International14 III. Developing Self-Esteem Write down things that: –you worry about –are causing anger –you fear –are causing trouble in your life To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

Optimist International15 Activity – Letting Go Write on a small piece of paper a personal worry, fear or trouble that you would like to get rid of right now Roll up the paper and insert into a balloon Blow up the balloon All together release balloons (duck!) Pick up a balloon that is not your color Write a supportive anonymous reply on card Place cards in back of room to be picked up

Optimist International16 Don’t Sit on Your “Buts”!! “But” is an argument for our limitations and a justification for retreat. Release yourself of “But’s”relatives: –Could’ve … –Would’ve … –Should’ve … done such and such Source: Les Brown

Optimist International17 Self-Talk Cycles Affirmations –If you say it –Your subconscious mind will believe it –And you will achieve it! Language of Affirmation –Use the pronoun “I” –Use present tense verbs –Use action modifiers Source: Shad Helmstetter in “The Self-Talk Solution”

Optimist International18 Affirmation Exercise #1 Change this negative “self-talk” to positive: Negative: I’m no good at remembering names. Positive: I am learning names more easily by repeating names of new people I meet.

Optimist International19 Affirmation Exercise #2 Write something you would like to achieve in the next few weeks. Write down one or more affirmations about yourself that will set the stage for the realization of this goal.

Optimist International20 Seeing with the Mind’s Eye “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve” - Napoleon Hill Visualization or Imaging is the ability to see something in the “mind’s eye.” To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

Optimist International21 Exercise in “Seeing” Write a brief statement of the kind of person that you would like to be. Close your eyes and picture yourself as that individual

Optimist International22 Never Give Up! “If someone told you life was going to be one smooth, easy ride, I’ve got a special announcement; they lied!” –Les Brown “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” –Thomas Edison To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

Optimist International23 Failure Can Breed Success Failed in Business Defeated for Legislature Failed in another business Elected to legislature Sweetheart died Had a nervous breakdown Every failure teaches something: the more we fail, the more we learn! Consider Abe Lincoln: Defeated for Speaker Defeated for Elector Defeated for Congress Defeated for Senate Defeated for Vice President Defeated for Senate ELECTED PRESIDENT OF USA!

Optimist International24 Let the Past Pass Learn from our mistakes - remember the lesson but forget the incident. “When life knocks you down, you should always try to land on your back because if you can look up, you can get up!” - Les Brown To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

Optimist International25 Peace of Mind The Serenity Prayer: “Lord grant me the courage to change what can be changed, the patience to accept what cannot be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference.” To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

Optimist International26 Group Exercise: Make Two Lists Things we can change! Things we can’t change!

Optimist International27 IV. Sharing Optimism with Synergism Founders: share Optimism with others “Win-Win” Optimism: looks for circumstances that allow all to win! Stephen Covey, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

Optimist International28 Win-Win Exercise How does the Friend win? How does the Member win? An Optimist member is inviting a friend to join his club. Set up a Win-Win situation for both.

Optimist International29 Friendships – Reciprocal Empowerment Exercise: Each person tell the person on their right what they like about them. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

Optimist International30 Smile!!! “You can’t get out of life alive. So why not enjoy it and help others to enjoy it as well.” Les Brown Exercise: Give the person next to you your best smile and hold it for 4 seconds! To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

Optimist International31 “A Smile” by Monica Hunter (at age 10) To give a smile means, “You’re O.K.” To get a smiles will brighten your day. A smile can turn the world around, Or cheer up someone who’s feeling down. And, if you happen to disagree, Just give a smile and you will see!

Optimist International32 Humor as a Healer Humor shows medical results, even laugh therapy Exercise: –Think of the funniest joke or story that you’ve heard lately. –Share it with the group.

Optimist International33 Being Enthusiastic Enthusiasm from Greek root “in God”: Enthusiastic spirit was a God-like quality within that person’s soul. Activity: List the signs of an enthusiastic person. Can these be learned as part of your behavior? To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

Optimist International34 V. Your Uniqueness – Self-Concept Attitude determines altitude. John Reel, Past International President With the “wind” of Optimism beneath your wings, you can fly high like an Eagle and “Soar with Optimism” Charles Wiles, Past International President To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

Optimist International35 Your Coat-of-Arms Your Current Strengths, talents, skills and assets Strengths, skills and abilities you can develop Your Personal Legacy

Optimist International36 Your Mission for a Better World “This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one” Will it provide: –Ultimate personal fulfillment? –Change in the lives of young people? –Foster a more caring community? –Will it make for a better World? The path of Optimism may not always be easy but it can define your worth as an individual

Optimist International37 The Optimist Creed Promise Yourself - To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet To make all your friends feel that there is something in them To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.