2. Calculating for Optimism

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I’ve often been labeled as calculated. Describing things in percentages and planning ahead like it’s going outta style, possibly overboard at times. Creating a very specific end goal has been key in providing something to visualize. A crystal clear target to aim at. That’s my cup of tea. Well, coffee actually.

I’ve just as often been called out for living in the clouds. Honestly, I usually don’t have a counter for this. If I’m feeling frisky, I’ll throw out some corny line like: “Well, if you shoot for the stars – you might end up somewhere in the clouds.” Optimistic to a fault? That is yet to be determined.

What at first might seem contradictory, once you’re versed could be complimentary.

Calculate

• “Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets with planning.” ― Thomas Edison, inventor

• “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” ― Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father of the United States

• In construction we build based on a set of plans, or shall we call them blueprints. Each piece of the puzzle is calculated into a design that will ultimately create a masterpiece structure if followed correctly.

Although the artistic mind might have the urge to counter the concept of precision calculation and let the universe unfold as it may, even an artist has an outline, a theme or an idea. 
I’ve found that the more calculated I am, the more freedom I have in the moment. The structure is there. The time has been allotted. The subconscious worry is eliminated, making way for unencumbered creativity. 

Optimism 

There’s often chatter about over optimism – how it can lead to a maze of unrealistic expectations. There’s no question this is an important regulation to keep in mind, too many bricks in the optimism bucket can outweigh the value that having an optimistic bias provides. There’s a simple truth though: “Optimism leaves all options on the table, whereas the opposite limits the possibilities.” (Read that again)

With that in mind, what if we’re able to reap the benefits of what optimism has to offer and still maintain a calculated approach?

My hunch is that when a person is calculated, they tend to lean more towards realism. In trying to solve a calculation to a problem, you need to know facts. It’s a numbers game. Numbers don’t lie. Or do they?

If we’re talking algebra class, well ok then 192 x 654 = 125,568. I can agree to that. But that’s not our discussion here. We’re talking life. We’re referring to the human brain and its potential. To get stuck in linear thought would be to miss out on the all the ideas hanging out just outside the box. The ones just out of view from the realistic vantage point. Maybe we can climb up on the boulder to see if there’s more to the horizon.

“Unlimiting your beliefs” as Jim Kwik calls it. “To remove limits from your beliefs… If you fight for your limitations, you get to keep them.” 

Just as you might see Realism and Safe hanging out in the same pub, discussing the cruel truth about how things really are… You may also get a glimpse of Optimism and Progress in the coffee shop next door, entertaining the possibilities ahead, if only they can calculate the correct trajectory.

Although Blind Optimism might get us into trouble… Calculated Optimism might be the framework for maximum results. 

Ahh, the complicated relationship between optimism and realism, a subject with endless avenues of thought to explore. At this juncture there appears to be value in leaving the topic open, without concrete conclusions on what weight to assign to each. With so many variables in this intricate life, maybe it really is a case by case basis. But if so, is there a framework that can assist in our pursuit of expedient decision making? I mean who has all day to sit around and decide which trail to take.

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The mission to uncover the nouns and verbs, the adjectives to explain: Life is rather short and it’d be a shame to stay the same.

Readjust your aim or stay in your lane?

They say, Do yourself a favor and avoid the pain.  If it can be avoided, why put up with the strain. 

We hear it from our friends and family who love us.  We hear it from our own damn subconscious. 

It’s a constant dialogue that plays in the background. Continually creating white noise as a dark sound. 

I’m here to say that it’s not as tough as they think. I’m here to explain that once we become aware of the link, 

The effort they claim, the strain, the pain…  Can be deflected with a simple reframe. 

It might take me a minute to get through with some clarity,  But my optimism is high, that we’ll love who we’ll be. 

To be realistic is to place limits upon your reaches. If only the optimistic mind was something they would teach us.

Living in the clouds might be a label I’ve been given. With a narrow view of the image, it might make sense to believe in.

But sit up on a hill and observe from afar.  Take an unbiased approach and let’s find out just where we are. 

It’d be easy to think our goals are unattainable, But wait, holdup, rewind… without a list of goals – you make it so. 

One thing’s for certain, at least in my reality I live in. Calculation is the secret weapon to achieving. 

So although I’ve been labeled a cloud surfer by those who can only see so far, My hunch is: it’ll be revealed, this was just a pitstop on my way to the stars.

It’s not my intention to guess or blindly aim.  It’s not my intention to make this about MY brain.  

There’s a purpose behind the letters on the page or on the screen,  In the coming days, weeks, years… I’ll do my best to show you what I mean. 

It’s a way to push my limits, stretch and grow my pathways.  The neural landscape evolving as I navigate through the maze. 

Years and years of writing and I’ve never put it out.  Well that’s beginning to change with some clicks on a mouse. 

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Thank for reading.

– Jonathan