Presented as part of the DIF Live series for the DIF2023 Festival

Session Synopsis:

At its simplest, optimism is an expectation that good things will happen and that things will work out in the end.

The entrepreneur's superpower is infectious optimism - magnetic optimism, spreading positivity through smiles, eye contact, laughter, storytelling, and positive questioning. Entrepreneurs inspire their colleagues, customers, and stakeholders to reach out and touch a positive future.

Innovation thrives in the arms of optimism. Innovators understand that failure is a stepping stone, and their unwavering optimism fuels them to persist through setbacks. Pessimists, weighed down by doubt, seldom possess the audacity to innovate.

A radical optimist, Victor will unveil the secrets of infectious and magnetic positivity. Through practical tips and tricks, he'll empower you to harness the superpower of optimism and cultivate a mindset to help propel your innovators' journey. He may tempt you to embrace your inner Pollyanna.

Speaker: Victor Perton, The Centre for Optimism

Victor Perton is the Chief Optimism Officer at The Centre for Optimism. The Centre for Optimism is 8000 people in 82 countries and asks people “What makes YOU optimistic?” and “What makes YOU feel Optimistic?”

Prior to taking on the optimism mission, Victor was a barrister, 18 years a member of the Victorian State Parliament, Trade Commissioner in North and South America; and senior adviser to the Australian G20 Presidency.

Victor is a Board Member of Yarra Valley Water and Vicwater.

The foundation for the formation of The Centre for Optimism was a two year “Australian Leadership Project” which concluded Australian leadership was pretty good so why the negativity in Australia?

Victor’s Eureka moment came in 2017 – the problem was not the problem of leadership but the fog of pessimism.   His book, “Optimism: The How and Why”, sums up that journey.

As a speaker, Victor promises his audience they will leave laughing or singing or both.

The Centre for Optimism

The fundamental research by the Centre for Optimism is asking people, "What makes you optimistic?"

They have asked that question of over 12000 people from Presidents and Prime Ministers to people living in Indian villages. Those answers are published on their website and a good place to start is "Optimists on their Optimism".

Research take-aways 

What Sort of Optimism?

Globally,"realistic optimism" is the top choice followed by "resilient optimism";"natural optimism"and"purosefuloptimism." There is quite some variation in groups with farmers and entrepreneurs gravitating to natural optimism.  

What supports your optimistic outlook? 

The top answers in order are Mindset; Life Experience; Family, Most people are trying to do good; Gratitude; Faith in God; Gratitude; Faith in Humanity; Hope; Science; Young People; Things will work out in the end; Belief; Friends; The Future; History; Medical Science; Good Government; and, The Economy.

What has helped keep you optimistic in these difficult times? 

The top answers so far: Expressing Gratitude; Keeping the company of optimistic people; Regular Positive Conversations; Reducing your consumption of "news"; Smiling at People; Yoga and Exercise; Laughing More; Meditation and/or Mindfulness; Sharing stories of Hope and Optimism; Listen to Positive Music; Visualisation and daydreaming; Upbeat Greetings; and, Asking people "what makes them optimistic?" 

Originally presented 23 August 2023

 

Tune in to #DIFlive Lunch'n'Learn and DIF Download sessions and be inspired throughout the DIF2023 Festival and beyond!