Realist – The third alternative

Dear Readers,

We generally tend to classify people into two types: “Optimist” and “Pessimist”. Some of the traits we associate with Optimists are:- Positive thinkers, possibility thinkers, focussing on favourable outcomes, filled with hope and confidence, etc. Whereas the traits we associate with Pessimists are:- Negative thinkers, Skeptics, Doubters, Fault finders, Idea dampeners, Mood spoilers etc.

One of the most common quote we hear is “An pessimist sees a problem in every opportunity, whereas an optimist sees an opportunity in every problem”.

It is often believed, that being an Optimist, is the best way to be, because they always tend to look at the positive side of life and events expecting the most favorable outcome. On the other side, a pessimist is often viewed as a negative person, who is not willing to take any risks or chances and someone who is constantly finding fault and dampens our spirits.

Optimism sometimes sounds overrated. It gives a feel that being Pessimist is wrong. But we need to understand that in order to take a good decision, we should weigh the pros and cons, before making a decision.

For instance, while it comes to decision making Optimists, because of their upbeat mindset and their trust in gut instincts, are more gullible and naive. Therefore some of their decisions, have landed them in deep trouble.  Whereas, a pessimistic person is someone who needs proof before he jumps on board. Whenever they hear something new, they are the first to scrutinize it before they will accept it. So, they are highly cautious people and therefore greatly delay in making decisions. This in turn, many times make them lose out on a quick opportunity. 

I heard this somewhere, “While it was an optimist who invented the plane, it was a  pessimist who invented the parachute”. Is it not true, that  both are important? It is difficult to imagine a high speed car without brakes. While accelerator is necessary for speed, brakes are needed for safety.

So, let us get out of the idea that pessimist people are negative people. It is just that, the way the optimist sees the world and the way a pessimist sees the world is lot different. But the fact is thay they are not against each other, but complement each other.

While an optimist can take quick decisions that could fail and a pessimist can be stuck up not taking any decision, as he doesn’t want to fail, we find both of them limiting in their own way. So, is there a third alternative? Is there a possibility of having the best of both?  I guess, YES. A person who can find a balance between these seeming opposite poles, is called a “Realist.”

A Realist is someone who tends to view or present things as they really are at this moment. A realist tries to see things as they are not as he would like them to be.  Realists have a firm grip on reality and can see things for what they are, not what they are told they are and therefore do not fall victim to propaganda, misconception, or titles. Realists, are the ones who can see, the bigger, clearer picture without any preconceptions and therefore make more sensible decisions.

So, to make, it simpler:

“ An optimist see a glass half full.

A pessimist sees a glass as half empty.

A realist sees it as just a half glass”

What the word needs today is this new breed of people called, “The Realists” who could make a positive and sustainable contribution to mankind. Don’t you think so?

Happy Reading,

D. Senthil Kannan
Article date August 2016