Are You Firing on All 6 Optimism Cylinders?

As the founder of The Optimism Code, I was thinking about why on some days we feel more optimistic than on others and had a thought. While we don’t always need a 6-cylinder engine to get around town, anyone who has driven a V6 versus a V4 vehicle knows how nice it can be to have that extra boost when entering a busy highway.   Similarly, unlocking your best life doesn’t always require you to rev the engine, but it is great to know you can.

I like to think of The Optimism Code as a roadmap that can maximize your ride on earth.  Below are 6 Optimism Code strategies that have helped me and my clients get to where we want to go with turbo-charged optimism.

1. Fuel – Just as a car won’t run without a good energy source, your body needs foundational foods and fresh water.  Regardless of your approach to nutrition, sticking to whole, real (not man-made) foods as often as possible and drinking clean unsweetened fluids (ideally non-fluoridated) is key.

If you have been neglecting your body, use this opportunity to recommit to making how your fuel your body an essential priority.  I know for me, that while I can certainly get away with using inferior fuel for a time, my engine runs more smoothly once I fuel it well.

2.  Mind Chatter - To continue the auto analogy, when a car idles too high, it tends to shake. Similarly, if you spend the day focused on anxious or pessimistic thoughts, you will likely feel shakier too.  I teach my clients how to reframe negative thinking spontaneously using custom techniques that have proven highly effective.

In times of stress, selecting the right things to say to yourself can quickly restore you to a smooth state of mind.  I love it when my brain goes on autopilot to rescue me from my initial tendency towards nay saying.  One of my favorites when I am in the midst of an unexpectedly bumpy ride is “Everything is going to be alright”.  I like to say it like Bob Marley with his Jamaican accent, “Every-ting gonna be ah-right!” It helps me to smile and not take myself seriously.

3. Appreciation - Whether you just got cut off by a Sunday driver or you missed the light and are stuck behind a loud truck spewing fumes into your air vents, it is natural you might be less than thrilled.  When I find myself in uncomfortable situations like this one, that are clearly beyond my control, I immediately recognize I am perturbed and switch gears, using it as a springboard to practice instant gratitude.

First, I remind myself I have a car.  Whoo hoo! Lucky me. Not only do I have a car,

but it is running well and in a brief moment I will be on my way. I have hands that can grab the steering wheel and, more importantly, eyes that can see. (This is significant to me as I almost lost my sight not long ago to a detached retina.)

Just like that, I instantly feel grateful for the present moment blessings I DO have rather than the annoyances of the moment. After all, those little irritations come and go all day long. If we place too much emphasis on them it can really interfere with our daily joy. I have seen people drive themselves bonkers by looking at every little thing that is wrong without recognizing the good.

In The Optimism Code coaching program, I teach people how to do flip the script in real time.  Having a sense of appreciation in any given moment can go a long way. Learning how to shift rapidly can be a life-saver during those ‘not so comfortable moments’ we all experience.

4. Breathe In Optimism – Most of us have seen movies where a car tailpipe is stuffed with a rag and next thing you know, the fumes overwhelm the driver.  Similarly, If we forget to breathe properly when managing life’s inevitable stressors, we often deprive ourselves of oxygen, sending negative signals to our brain. 

As soon as you recognize shallow or erratic breathing, take a pause.  While there are lots of ways to breathe that can relax us, I personally like to take just one big deep belly breath through my nose, hold it as long as I am able to (usually 8-10 seconds) and release air gradually through my mouth.

Some of my clients prefer box breathing (in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4, rest for 4).  There are so many different ways to flood your body with nourishing oxygen that I could write an entire article on this topic alone.  Let’s just say I am very appreciative when I can stop and take a big deep breath. Taking a breath recenters you super-fast so you can get back to positivity and on your way. 

5.       Restore - If your car was in a fender bender, you would bring it to the body shop for some restoration. When we have been in a few scrapes back-to-back it is essential to give it a rest in order to build back our resilience.  If we keep going despite getting repeatedly dinged, we will be a wreck.  

Sleep is the gold standard, but even rest and down time can be extremely restorative. For me, a nice walk on the beach does wonders.  Listen to your body’s cues and remember to slow down or even stop in order to recharge.  If you forget to do this and push through it can backfire.  It is much better to acknowledge you are human and identify what you need in the moment to refresh yourself so you can regain a cheery disposition.

6. Play Your Way - While my car is intended to get me from point A to point B, sometimes it is just plain fun to floor it once in a while. (Disclaimer: Please do this at your own risk :-)

If we are only focused on our to-do list without making time for regular enjoyment, in whatever form that takes (a nice walk, dancing to your favorite song, going out

with friends, etc.), we risk burnout. The important thing when you schedule in play for yourself is that it be truly something YOU want to do rather than something you are doing for others.  We must enjoy the ride!

Before we end this article, I feel I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the V8 engine. After all, isn’t more even better? While firing on 8 cylinders sounds great, and would potentially give you more power, be cautious as your mileage may vary.  Trying to do everything at once to boost your optimism might become exhausting and ‘seize your engine’ instead. 

At The Optimism Code, we help you develop simple, easy to use keys to design your own unique keychain for living your best life without burning out.  If you enjoyed this post, please sign up for more free content at https://theoptimismcode.com

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Wendy J. Schwartz, CPCC is a Certified Wellness and Career Coach. As the creator of The Optimism Code, she is an avid writer and provides coaching services to help clients design their best life. For more information about her book and coaching services, visit https://theoptimismcode.com

DISCLAIMER: The Optimism Code is intended to aid people like you in achieving greater levels of life satisfaction through a variety of unique strategies intended to boost optimism. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for working with a licensed healthcare professional or medical provider.