Opportunity, Openness and Optimism! These three words work together to help us thrive in life, to explore and have adventures. The reason I feel these words all need to work in tandem is because unless we are optimistic about life and open to new ideas and thoughts, we can very easily miss opportunities to grow and improve our lives.
The more I am writing about Thriving in Life, the idea that it all comes down to us and our attitude is reinforced in my mind as the key to thriving. IT REALLY IS UP TO US AS INDIVIDUALS – IT IS OUR CHOICE.
Opportunity, Openness and Optimism
Opportunity
Too often we sit back and bemoan our situation, waiting for someone to come along and make things better for us. How often have you heard others verbalising their regret in life? ‘I wish I had done this or that’, ‘I should have done this or that’.
What we should be doing is making things happen. Making choices to change what we aren’t happy with in our life and looking for the opportunities to improve our life. But don’t just build that door – Open it!
Openness
How would you rank on the Openness test? Openness is one of the 5 Personality Traits known as OCEAN – Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. Having Openness means you are creative, open to new ideas and because of this more aware of opportunities.
Being Open means that you don’t dismiss ideas immediately or shut them down. You are willing to listen or learn about them before making a decision. Many of us struggle with being open because we fear the unknown or we fear change. Most of us like being in our comfort zone and feel ‘safe’ with what we know.
Being open to new things takes courage but also can bring fulfillment and richness to our lives. We become more understanding of others and the world in which we live. We realise there are other points of view that may have merit.
Being Open means having the courage to look inside ourselves and discover who we really are. It means being honest about our feelings and thoughts.
Optimism
It isn’t easy being optimistic all of the time. In fact, it is impossible to be happy all of the time. Our attitude is the determining factor. We can feel positive about the future and possibilities or we can let our ‘inner critic’ start the negative self-talk conversation to bring us down.
Taking a life audit and setting out how you want your life to develop will help you have an optimistic outlook. Optimism brings excitement with thoughts of new adventures or possibilities. It reduces stress and anxiety and gives us a sense of well-being.
On the flip side, we do need a dose of reality because life will bring challenges that even the most optimistic person would struggle with. The point I’m making is that having an optimistic attitude, measured with a dose of realism, is much healthier than constantly looking at life negatively.
What can you do today that will bring Opportunity, Openness and Optimism to your life?
n my next post in the A to Z Guide to Thriving, I’m discussing ‘P’ is for Priorities – Learning to Set Boundaries. I do hope you will join me.
If you have missed previous posts in the AtoZ Challenge 2018 just click here to find them all.
You might also like to check out my Over 50 & Thriving series. In this series, published every Thursday, guest writers give insight into what ‘Over 50 & Thriving’ means to them.
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Let’s Keep Sizzling!
52 Comments
Three great words for O, Sue, and I do agree -they need to work in tandem. Singly, they’re helpful, but as a trio they pack a real wallop.
They certainly do have a great impact together, Karen. Have a great week and thanks for stopping by x
You’ve chosen such wonderful words and thoughts throughout this whole challenge. Great trio here!
Yes they make you feel more positive just saying them one word after the other, Trisha Faye. Glad you enjoyed the posts. Have a great day!
Fabulous O words Sue! I’m really enjoying your A-Z challenge posts, you’re posting awesome material.
Thanks Deb. I’m really getting into this theme and actually wonder if I’ve now written my best work. The challenge I face now is that I’m not sure I can top my AtoZ posts and feel a bit nervous about writing in the future. x
I agree Sue, these have been great posts and I was wondering how you’ll move on after it’s over. But knowing you, you will find a way to keep us interested and continually learning and thinking of new ways to thrive. It’s hard keeping up with everyone’s daily A-Z posts though I must admit.
Oh yes, I’m chained to my laptop! I’m going to turn this into a book so that will be my next challenge. Expanding each post into a proper self-help book and not just a free e-book. I do have a few ideas and actually am enjoying the challenge of stretching my mind and thinking. I started with the usual suspects for words and then decided to change a few and have surprised myself really. x
That’s a great idea Sue, to make them into a book!! I knew you’d find something clever and creative to do 🙂
Another great post Sue. I think I’m fairly open to new ideas. But sometimes do tend to rush in without taking my dose of realism. They go hand on hand
Thanks Jennifer, we are certainly working through them now aren’t we?
I love your choice of O words, Sue, and that you’ve combined the three. You’re right. They work together. I took a different look at the word Opportunities today – but the other two would also fit my angle. So glad you mention you’re going to turn these into a book. I was going to suggest that to you. These have been fabulous posts and would make a really worthwhile motivational book. Go for it. And BTW, I love all your graphics. You must spend hours on them. I love doing this sort of thing but there has been no time for it this crazy month. Fancy completing a book deadline during A to Z! (But I did it! YAY!) Next in A to Z Challenge: O is for Take every Opportunity to improve your life, improve your mind.
Thanks for the encouragement Shirley. I might need some advice but yes I think that I’ve definitely decided to go for a book. You did so well to complete your deadline during an extra busy month!
Another awesome post from you. I enjoyed doing the personality test so thank you for that. Also I think Pema Chodron’s quote ” Openness doesn’t come from resisting our fears but from knowing them well.” is the one I liked most.
Thanks Kalpanaa and have a great week!
I’m enjoying our cross-overs Sue – your first pic was one I used for “B” I think and you had a quote I also used in my “I” post. I’m working on Openness – still got a way to go with that one, optimism I’m getting better at. It helps when you stop looking at the negatives and start counting your blessings and being really firm with your boundaries.
Leanne | http://www.crestingthehill.com.au
O for Open Your Eyes
Yes I noticed that Leanne. We are sisters remember!
I absolutely love this. The three Os are so important for an awesome and inspired life. Wonderful post Sue.
Thanks Miriam. I must have felt some extra inspiration that day!
Oh my! Great ideas here, that when combined can help you optimize your life. Or even individually can offset any obstacles you might encounter. ?
Oh another two ‘O’s to consider – optimize and obstacles 🙂 Thanks!
Of course I love Optimism… it’s the O in my SOAR. Practicing positivity has been a focus of me in the past few years and I am definitely more optimistic now than I was. Being open to opportunities is a work in progress. I tend to like being in my comfort zone. But this year is about trying new things (in activating the life I envision) … and being open to possibilities when they present themselves. And you’re right … knowing my fears is a big part moving out of the comfort zone!
I like that you are looking at opportunities out of the comfort zone. I’ve just joined a link up each month Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone so let me know if you want to post anything there. Have a great day and thanks for your support. xx
Great choice of O words, Sue! I enjoy reading your A to Z Challenge posts and try to comment as often as I can. Thank you for hosting MLSTL while you’re in the A to Z Challenge.
Thank you Natalie and also a huge thank you for trying to read each day. It is a big ask that is for sure but I am very appreciative of your comments. Have a great day!
Fantastic O words on the theme of ‘thriving’ Sue! In fact I think I’ve written on very similar subjects. Loving your A-Z series and am in awe of the quality posts you’ve written for a daily challenge!! xo
Thanks Min, I am so happy with the result myself. I’m seriously thinking of expanding each post into a chapter and making a self-help book out of it. It seems a waste to have written so much and then not use it. I’m doing Mindful in May which is a fundraising and daily meditation so I will at least have something to write about once AtoZ has finished. I’m a bit tired though LOL:) Hope you are feeling better and have a great day!
Love these thoughts and quotations Sue. Especially like, If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door. So true. We just can’t sit back and expect things to happen – especially not in mid to late life.
Yes I like that one too Jo. We can’t leave it to others or chance can we – life is too short! x
Hi Sister 🙂 Just shared this everywhere and we’re off and running for another great #MLSTL x
Thank you! xx
Agree with all those Os. Opportunity is everywhere when we’re optimistic and open our eyes xo
It sure is Leanne!
I love these ‘O’s! They really do work in tandem, and without all three together our outlook and actions can be greatly affected. Thanks Sue, for a thought provoking post.
Glad you liked it Candi and I must admit I must have found some inspiration that day as I wasn’t sure what to write for ‘O’. I must have been open to ideas 🙂
Great ‘O’s Sue! Always looking out for opportunities ?
Great post for the letter O! I know I have struggled with being Open in the past, but I feel like I am now quite open. Nice post, as always.
Thanks for the positive feedback. It is hard to be Open and I think we are when we are really young then we close up and later in life come to understand again that if we are open to new things, magic can sometimes happen! xx
I have an not good with change and I do stay in my comfort zone too much. I like all of your O’s and need to practice them more.
Change is definitely not easy Victoria but sometimes we can surprise ourselves.
I completely agree with your three “O’s”. Attitude is probably 90% of life, being optimistic and choosing to look for the positive in the situations we face. I’m open to change and my husband struggles with change. With Paul, it is because his childhood was very unstable and he now likes for things to be stable and non-changing. He will be retiring in July and his life will be changing tremendously though. Even though he is looking forward to it, he has fears. I, on the other hand, am looking at it as a very big adventure! I’m trying to help him to see it through a different colored lens, so to speak. And you know I think it is helping. Thank you for your words Sue that will help so many to navigate difficult waters with a greater optimism!
What a great outlook you have Teresa and I love your phrase ‘seeing through a different colored lens’. I’m sure you will certainly have a positive effect on him. Enjoy! xx
I love the Milton Berle quote and I also love the idea that good luck is when opportunity meets preparedeness. You are so right we have to create our own opportunities. Sharing on Pinterest x
Well you have a great opportunity now Jan with the move to a new home and area xx
Love this! Someone asked me, when I was giving a talk to an organization, what I do for a living, and I answered “I make things happen!” I especially love helping others make things happen for themselves. I shared this on Facebook.
Hi Linda! Thanks for stopping by and I love our answer – I might copy that LOL:) You and I share the same philosophy, there is nothing more rewarding than helping someone achieve what they want to achieve. Have a great week! x
“Opportunity”, “Openness” and “Optimism” all describe your blog perfectly! Your posts are very inspirational and highly appreciated.
Thanks so much Donna. I haven’t been well the last few days so sorry I’m just catching up with everyone now. Thank you for your encouraging words which keep me going xx
So great to see other midlife bloggers rocking their lives! Hoping to learn from all of you!
Hi Marya thanks for stopping by to comment and yes great to meet you.
I’ve never thought about how interconnected these three “Os” are, but it rings true. Part of my focus on going with the flow this year is being open to the opportunities that come my way. Thanks for reminding me of that.
Hi Christie, I hadn’t really seen the connection until I started thinking about writing this post and then the three words just jumped out at me. Sometimes we can get light bulb moments! xx