Making Progress: Optimism or Delusion? (Part 2 of 2)

The question at hand is, "How do you know if your optimism is justified or when you are deluding yourself?" In part one of this article, I gave several definitions and left you with two questions to asked of yourself AND answer:

(1) Am I consistently doing the things I've determined (from an enlightened analysis of the situation) are necessary to achieve my goals everyday?
... and,
(2) Am I consistently doing the things proven experience suggests I should be doing to achieve my goals everyday?

I believe you are deluding yourself when your day-to-day behavior is not supportive of your stated goals. So, if you can answer yes to both of the questions above, then you can take comfort in knowing that you are not deluding yourself and that your optimism is justified. If not, then you are most likely deluding yourself. How far you are into delusion land is dependent upon how far away you are from consistently implementing the details of a thorough strategic plan on a day-to-day basis.

For example, you are deluded if you believe that you will be debt free all the while you keep charging items that you can’t pay in full when the bill arrives. You can be optimistic and repeatedly affirm to yourself "I am debt free," but you have crossed over into delusion land if you keep using available cash to pay down newly created debt instead of paying off previously existing debt.

I know the temptation to wonder whether you are deluding yourself is especially strong when tangible results or other signs of measurable progress don't materialize as expected. When you find yourself with such thoughts, use it as an opportunity to consciously redirect your thoughts to more useful inquiries such as:

• Asking and honestly answering the two questions above.
• Reexamining your plan for hidden assumptions and flawed information.
• Exploring whether you are harboring sabotaging beliefs about your success.
• Renewing your commitment to consistently implementing the details of your plan everyday.

A few sessions with a great business coach may help you clear some mental clutter and uncover your "blind" spots.

So, stay optimistic! Just be sure to periodically check for signs of delusion.

To arrange for Sherrin to come and speak to your group or coach a member of your organization, visit http://www.sherrin.com/.