Why do pessimists assume you have to be a 'pessimist' or 'realist' in order to see the negative outcomes? I can clearly see potential downfalls and while they aren’t ignored I chose to focus on the desired, positive outcome and find a way to make that reality. Kinda like when you’re driving a car, you end up where you’re looking so if you’re focusing in the wrong place you'll drift off the road, concentrate on the negative and all you’ll do is reaffirm your negative view as that’ll be all you’ll be able to see.
I can envision both negative outcomes and positive outcomes. The positive paths I envision tend to be more naive, less tied down to reality, while the pessimistic ones are more realistic. I tend to believe the negative ones will come to pass, while I maintain hope that the positive ones will come to pass.
Doesn’t matter what you hope for if you believe the negative will come to pass it probably will. You tend to get what you expect in life.
The Winner
If you think you are beaten, you are
if you think you dare not, you don't
if you'd like to win, but you think you can't,
it's almost a cinch you won't
If you think you'll lose, you've lost
for out in the world you find
success begins with a person's will
It's all in the state of the mind
If you think you're outclassed, you are
you've got to think high to rise
you've got to be sure of yourself
before you can ever win the prize
Many a race is lost
before a step is run
and many a coward fails
before ever his work's begun
Think big and your deeds will grow
think small and you'll fall behind
think that you can and you will
It's all in the state of the mind
Life's battles don't always go
to the stronger or faster person
but sooner or later the person who wins
is the person who thinks he can