Monday Musing: Lately, it seems like every conversation I have circles back to one big question: “How do I stop feeling so overwhelmed by all this change?”

We’ve all heard that being optimistic is the key to getting through tough times, but it’s not always easy to hang onto, right? There are usually two reasons why:

1) It’s easier said than done. It’s not that we don’t want to be optimistic—it’s that in the middle of stress, setbacks, or feeling overwhelmed, optimism can feel out of reach.
2) It sometimes feels fake… you know, like you’re supposed to slap on a smile and pretend everythings fine, even when it’s not—kinda like our cartoon hero below 😅

That’s where I see the power of pragmatic optimism.  It’s not about blind positivity (or ignoring the flames like our friend above); it’s about looking at tough situations and asking, What can I do about it? What’s the opportunity here? What can I learn from this?

With pragmatic optimism, we shift from being passive participants to active problem-solvers. It puts us back in control, which can make everything feel a little less overwhelming.

Research shows that 75% of optimism is within our control. It’s not something you’re simply born with—it’s a skill you can develop. And when you do, it leads to better health, greater resilience, and the kind of energy that helps you tackle even the toughest weeks. 💪

Identify one challenge you’re facing that feels heavy.

Now ask yourself: How can I flip my perspective to focus on the possibilities instead of the problems?

Instead of thinking about what’s not working, ask yourself, “What’s still possible here?” Then take one action—big or small—that nudges you forward.

Want some other suggestions for how to dial up your pragmatic optimism? Here are four other suggestions:

Did any of these activities strike a chord? I’d love to hear what worked for you—or if you’ve got your own go-to strategies for boosting optimism. Hit reply and let me know how you’re kicking off your week!

What I’ve been up to over the week that was.

I loved checking out the latest genius of my friend Nathan and his Counterpilot crew as their new show ‘Adrift’ debuted at the Brisbane Festival this week.

The show is an immersive theatre masterpiece that explores the stories we tell to make sense of the world… it pushes boundaries in lighting and sound design and demands audience collaboration in telling the story.  If you’re anywhere near Brisbane, go check it out before the 28th of September. 🙂

What did you think of this week’s issue?

Is there a topic you’d like me to dive into next?

I’d love to hear your thoughts—hit reply and let me know how I can keep bringing value to your inbox!

Head on over to our Linkedin newsletter, diving deeper into the concepts each week.

Hot tip: Listen to the first five minutes on Audible – or sign up for a trial and listen to the full book for free!