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EDUCATION

40+ Reasons Why Research Is

Important in Education
By The Editors
Updated on March 3, 2023
Do you ever wonder why research is so essential in education? What
impact does it really have on teaching and learning?

These are questions that plague many students and educators alike.

According to experts, here are the reasons why research is important

in the field of education.
 Joseph Marc Zagerman, Ed.D. 

Assistant Professor of Project Management, Harrisburg University

of Science and Technology 
Wisdom is knowledge rightly applied. Conducting research is all about
gaining wisdom. It can be an exciting part of a college student’s
educational journey — be it a simple research paper, thesis, or
dissertation. 

Related: What Is the Difference Between Knowledge and Wisdom?

As we know, there is primary research and secondary research: 

1. Primary research is first-hand research where the primary

investigator (PI) or researcher uses a quantitative, qualitative, or
mixed-methodology approach in gaining original data. The
process of conducting primary research is fascinating but beyond
the scope of this article. 

2. In contrast, secondary
research examines secondhand  information by describing or
summarizing the work of others. This article focuses on the
benefits of conducting secondary research by immersing oneself
in the literature.  

Research develops students into becoming

more self-sufficient
There are many benefits for college students to engage in scholarly
research. For example, the research process itself develops students
into becoming more self-sufficient. 

In other words, students enhance their ability to ferret out

information regarding a specific topic with a more functional deep
dive into the subject matter under investigation. 

The educational journey of conducting research allows students to

see the current conversations taking place regarding a specific topic.
One can parse out the congruity and incongruity among scholars
about a particular topic. 

Developing one’s fundamental library skills is a tremendous upside

in becoming self-sufficient. And yet another benefit of conducting
scholarly research is reviewing other writing styles, which often
enhances one’s reading and writing skills.   

Conducting an annotated bibliography is often a critical first step in

conducting scholarly research. Reviewing, evaluating, and synthesizing
information from several sources further develops a student’s critical
thinking skills. 

Related: 9 Critical Thinking Examples

Furthermore, in becoming immersed in the literature, students can

recognize associated gaps, problems, or opportunities for additional
research. 

From a doctoral perspective, Boote & Beile (2005) underscore the

importance of conducting a literature review as the foundation for
sound research and acquiring the skills and knowledge in analyzing
and synthesizing information.  
So, if conducting research is beneficial for college students, why do
some college students have problems with the process or believe it
doesn’t add value? 

First off, conducting research is hard work. It takes time. Not to

make a sweeping generalization, but some college students embrace
a “fast-food” expectation of academic assignments. 

For example, finish a quiz, complete a discussion board, or watch a

YouTube video and check it off your academic to-do list right away. In
contrast, conducting a literature review takes time. It’s hard work.

It requires discipline, focus, and effective time

management strategies. 

Yet, good, bad, or indifferent, it remains that the process of

conducting research is often perceived as a non-value-added activity
for many college students. Why is this so? Is there a better way?   

From an educational standpoint, research assignments should not be

a “one and done.” Instead, every course should provide opportunities
for students to engage in research of some sort. 

If a student must complete a thesis or dissertation as part of their

degree requirement, the process should begin early enough in the
program. 

But perhaps the most important note for educators is to align the
research process with real-world takeaways. That builds value. That
is what wisdom is all about. 

Dr. John Clark, PMP 

Corporate Faculty (Project Management), Harrisburg University of
Science and Technology 

Research provides a path to progress and

prosperity
The research integrates the known with the unknown. Research
becomes the path to progress and prosperity. Extant knowledge,
gathered through previous research, serves as the foundation to
attaining new knowledge. 

The essence of research is a continuum.

Only through research is the attainment of new knowledge possible.

New knowledge, formed through new research, is contributed back to
the knowledge community. In the absence of research, the continuum
of knowledge is severed. 

Reminiscent of the continuum of knowledge, the desire and

understanding to conduct research must transcend into the next
generation. This magnifies the relevance to convey the techniques and
the desire to seek new knowledge to the younger generations. 

Humbly, it is argued that education possibly serves to facilitate the

importance of research. The synergy between research and education
perpetuates the continuum of knowledge. 
Through education, the younger generations are instilled with the
inspiration to address the challenges of tomorrow. 

Related: Why Is Education Important in Our Life?

It plants the seeds for scientific inquiry into the

next generation
Research, whether qualitative or quantitative, is grounded
in scientific methods. Instructing our students in the fundamentals of
empirically-based research effectively plants the seeds for scientific
inquiry into the next generation. 

The application and pursuit of research catalyze critical thinking.

Rather than guiding our students to apply pre-existing and rote
answers to yesterday’s challenges, research inspires our students to
examine phenomena through new and intriguing lenses. 

The globalized and highly competitive world of today effectively

demands the younger generations to think critically and creatively to
respond to the new challenges of the future. 

Related: 20 Best Books to Jumpstart Your Creativity

Consequently, through research and education, the younger

generations are inspired and prepared to find new knowledge that
advances our community. Ultimately, the synergy between research
and education benefits society for generations to come. 

Professor John Hattie and Kyle Hattie

 Authors, “10 Steps to Develop Great Learners“

Research serves many purposes

Imagine your doctor or pilot disregarding research and relying on
experience, anecdotes, and opinions. Imagine them being proud of
not having read a research article since graduation. Imagine them
depending on the tips and tricks of colleagues.

Research serves many great purposes, such as:

 Keeping up to date with critical findings

 Hearing the critiques of current methods of teaching and

running schools

 Standing on the shoulders of giants to see our world better

Given that so much educational research is now available, reading
syntheses of the research, hearing others’ interpretation and
implementation of the research, and seeing the research in action
helps. 

What matters most is the interpretation of the research — your

interpretation, the author’s interpretation, and your colleagues’
interpretation. It is finding research that improves our ways of
thinking, our interpretations, and our impact on students. 
There is also much to be gained from reading about the methods of
research, which provide ways for us to question our own impact, our
own theories of teaching and learning, and help us critique our
practice by standing on the shoulders of others. 

Research also helps to know what is exciting, topical, and important.

It enables us to hear other perspectives

Statements without research evidence are but opinions. Research is
not only about what is published in journals or books, but what we
discover in our own classes and schools, provided we ask, “What
evidence would I accept that I am wrong?” 

This is the defining question separating research from opinion. As

humans, we are great at self-confirmation — there are always students
who succeed in our class, we are great at finding evidence we were
right, and we can use this evidence to justify our teaching. 

But what about those who did not succeed? We can’t be blind about
them, and we should not ascribe their lack of improvement to them
(poor homes, unmotivated, too far behind) but to us. 

We often need to hear other perspectives of the evidence we collect

from our classes and hear more convincing explanations and
interpretations about what worked best and what did not; who
succeeded and who did not; and were the gains sufficient. 

When we do this with the aim of improving our impact on our

students, then everyone is the winner.
It provides explanations and bigger picture
interpretations
Research and evaluation on your class and school can be triangulated
with research studies in the literature to provide alternative
explanations, to help see the importance (or not) of the context of
your school. And we can always write our experiences and add to the
research.

For example, we have synthesized many studies of how best parents

can influence their children to become great learners. Our
fundamental interpretation of the large corpus of studies is that it
matters more how parents think when engaged in parenting. 

For instance, the expectations, listening and responsive skills, how they
react to error and struggle, and whether their feedback was heard,
understood, and actionable. 

Research is more than summarizing; it provides explanations and

bigger picture interpretations, which we aimed at in our “10 steps for
Parents” book.

Dr. Glenn Mitchell, MPH, CPE, FACEP

Vice Provost for Institutional Effectiveness, Harrisburg University

of Science and Technology 
Research gives us better knowledge workers
There is a tremendous value for our society from student participation
in scientific research. At all levels – undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D.
—students learn the scientific method that has driven progress since
the Enlightenment over 300 years ago. 

 They learn to observe carefully and organize collected data

efficiently. 

 They know how to test results for whether or not they should

be believed or were just a chance finding. 

 They learn to estimate the strength of the data they collect

and see in other scientists’ published work. 

With its peer review and wide visibility, the publication process
demands that the work be done properly, or it will be exposed as
flawed or even falsified. 

So students don’t just learn how to do experiments, interviews, or

surveys. They learn that the process
demands rigor  and ethical conduct to obtain valid and reliable results. 

Supporting and educating a new generation of science-minded

citizens makes our population more likely to support proven facts and
take unproven allegations with a grain of salt until they are rigorously
evaluated and reviewed. 

Thus, educating our students about research and involving them

with hands-on opportunities to participate in research projects gives
us better knowledge workers to advance technology and produce
better citizens.
 Chris A. Sweigart, Ph.D.

Board Certified Family Physician | Education Consultant,

Limened
Research plays a critical role in education as a guide for effective
practices, policies, and procedures in our schools. 

Evidence-based practice, which involves educators intentionally

engaging in instructional practices and programs with strong
evidence for positive outcomes from methodologically sound research,
is essential to ensure the greatest probability of achieving desired
student outcomes in schools.

It helps educators have greater confidence to

help students achieve outcomes
There are extensive options for instructional practices and programs in
our schools, many of which are promoted and sold by educational
companies. In brief, some of these works benefit students, and others
don’t, producing no results or even negatively impacting students.

Educators need ways to filter through the noise to find practices that
are most likely to actually produce positive  results with students. 

When a practice has been identified as evidence-based, that means an

array of valid, carefully controlled research studies have been
conducted that show significant, positive outcomes from engaging in
the practice. 

By choosing to engage in these practices, educators can have greater

confidence in their ability to help students achieve meaningful
outcomes.

There are organizations focused on evaluating the research base for

programs and practices to determine whether they are evidence-
based. 

For example, some websites provide overviews of evidence-based

practices in education while my website provides practical guides for
teachers on interventions for academic and behavioral challenges with
a research rating scale. 

Educators can use these resources to sift through the research, which
can sometimes be challenging to access and translate, especially for
busy teachers.

It supports vulnerable student populations

Schools may be especially concerned about the success of vulnerable
student populations, such as students with disabilities, who are at far
greater risk than their peers of poor short and long-term outcomes. 

In many cases, these students are already behind their peers one or

more years academically and possibly facing other challenges.

With these vulnerable populations, it’s imperative that we engage in

practices that benefit them and do so faster than typical practice—
because these students need to catch up! 
That said, every minute and dollar we spend on a practice not
supported by research is a gamble on students’ well-being and futures
that may only make things worse. 

These populations of students need our best in education, which

means choosing practices with sound evidence that are most likely
to help. 

If I were going to a doctor for a serious illness, I would want them to

engage in practice guided by the cutting edge of medical science to
ensure my most significant chance of becoming healthy again. And I
want the same for our students who struggle in school.

Will Shaw PhD, MSc

Sport Scientist and Lecturer | Co-founder, Sport Science Insider

Research creates new knowledge and better

ideas
At the foundation of learning is sharing knowledge, ideas, and
concepts. However, few concepts are set in stone; instead, they are
ever-evolving ideas that hopefully get closer to the truth. 

Research is the process that underpins this search for new and better-
defined ideas. For this reason, it is crucial to have very close
links between research and teaching. The further the gap,
the less informed teaching will become. 

Research provides answers to complicated

problems
Another key concept in education is sharing the reality that most
problems are complicated — but these are often the most fun to try to
solve. Such as, how does the brain control movement? Or how can we
optimize skill development in elite athletes?

Here, research can be used to show how many studies can be pulled
together to find answers to these challenging problems. But students
should also understand that these answers aren’t perfect and should
be challenged.

Again, this process creates a deeper learning experience and students

who are better equipped for the world we live in.

Basic understanding of research aids students

in making informed decisions
We’re already seeing the worlds of tech and data drive many facets of
life in a positive direction — this will no doubt continue. However, a
byproduct of this is that data and science are commonly
misunderstood, misquoted, or, in the worst cases, deliberately misused
to tell a false story. 

If students have a basic understanding of research, they can make

informed decisions based on reading the source and their own
insight. 
This doesn’t mean they have to mean they disregard all headlines
instead, they can decide to what extent the findings are trustworthy
and dig deeper to find meaning. 

A recent example is this BBC News story that did an excellent job of

reporting a study looking at changes in brain structure as a result of
mild COVID. The main finding of a 2% average loss in brain structure
after mild COVID sounds alarming and is one of the findings from the
study. 

However, if students have the ability to scan the full article linked in

the BBC article, they could learn that: 

1. The measure that decreased by 2% was a ‘proxy’ (estimate) for

tissue damage 

2. Adults show 0.2 – 0.3% loss every year naturally

3. Some covid patients didn’t show any loss at all, but the average
loss between the COVID and control group was 2%

4. We have no idea currently if these effects last more than a few

weeks or months (more research is in progress)
This is an excellent research paper, and it is well-reported, but having
the ability to go one step further makes so much more sense of the
findings. This ability to understand the basics of research makes
the modern world far easier to navigate.

Helen Crabtree
 Teacher and Owner, GCSE Masterclass

It enables people to discover different ideas 

Research is crucial to education. It enables people to discover different
ideas, viewpoints, theories, and facts. From there, they will weigh up
the validity of each theory for themselves. 

Finding these things out for oneself causes a student to think

more deeply and come up with their personal perspectives,
hypotheses, and even to question widely held facts. This is crucial for
independent thought and personal development.

To distortion and manipulation — a frighteningly Orwellian future

awaits us if research skills are lost. 

You only need to look at current world events and how freedom of the
media and genuine journalistic investigation (or research) is distorting
the understanding of the real world in the minds of many people in
one of the most powerful countries in the world. 

Only those who are able to conduct research and evaluate the
independence of facts can genuinely understand the world. 

Genuine research opens young people’s eyes

to facts and opinions
Furthermore, learning how to conduct genuine research instead of
merely a Wikipedia or Google search is a skill in itself, allowing
students to search through archives and find material that is not
widely known about and doesn’t appear at the top of search engines. 

Genuine research will open young people’s eyes to facts and opinions
that may otherwise be hidden. This can be demonstrated when we
look at social media and its algorithms.

Essentially, if you repeatedly read or “like” pieces with a specific

worldview, the algorithm will send you more articles or videos that
further back up that view. 

This, in turn, creates an echo chamber whereby your own opinion is

repeatedly played back to you with no opposing ideas or facts,
reinforcing your view in a one-sided  way.

Conducting genuine research is the antidote.

Lastly, by conducting research, people discover how to write articles,

dissertations, and conduct their own experiments to justify their ideas.
A world without genuine, quality research is a world that is open.

Pritha Gopalan, Ph.D.

Director of Research and Learning, Newark Trust for Education

It allows us to understand progress and areas
of development
Research is vital in education because it helps us be intentional about
how we frame and document our practice. At The Trust, we aim to
synthesize standards-based and stakeholder-driven frames to ensure
that quality also means equity.

Research gives us a lens to look across time and space and concretely
understand our progress and areas for improvement. We
are careful  to include all voices through representative and network
sampling to include multiple perspectives from different sites.

Good research helps us capture variation in practice, document

innovation, and share bright spots and persistent challenges with
peers for mutual learning and growth. 

This is key  to our work as educators and a city-based voice employing

and seeking to amplify asset-based discourses in education.

Research represents stakeholders’ aspirations

and needs
When done in culturally sustaining and equitable ways, research
powerfully represents stakeholder experiences, interests, aspirations,
and needs. Thus, it is critical to informed philanthropy, advocacy, and
the continuous improvement of practice. 

Our organization is constantly evolving in our own cultural

competence. It embodies this pursuit in our research so that the voices
of the educators, families, children, and partners that we work with
are harmonized.

This is done to create the “big picture” of where we are and where we

need to get together to ensure equitable and quality conditions for
learning in Newark.

Jessica Robinson

Educator | Human Resources and Marketing

Manager, SpeakingNerd

Research makes the problem clearer

In the words of Stanley Arnold, “Every problem contains within itself
the seeds of its own solution.” These words truly highlight the nature of
problems and solutions. 

If you understand a problem thoroughly, you eventually

approach closer to the solution for you begin to see what makes the
problem arise. When the root of the problem is clear, the solution
becomes obvious. 

For example, if you suffer from headaches frequently, your doctor will
get specific tests done to understand the exact problem (which is
research). Once the root cause of the headache becomes clear, your
doctor will give you suitable medicines to help you heal. 
This implies that to reach a solution, it is crucial for us to understand
the problem first. Research helps us with that. By making the
problem clearer, it helps us pave closer to the solution. 

As the main aim of education is to produce talented individuals who

can generate innovative solutions to the world’s problems, research is
of utmost importance. 

Research boosts critical thinking skills

Critical thinking is defined as observing, understanding, analyzing, and
interpreting information and arguments to form suitable conclusions. 

In today’s world, critical thinking skills are the most valued skills.

Companies look for a candidate’s critical thinking skills before hiring
him. This is because critical thinking skills promote innovation, and
innovation is the need of the hour in almost every sector. 

Further, research is one of the most effective ways of developing

critical thinking skills. When you conduct research, you eventually
learn the art of observing, evaluating, analyzing, interpreting
information, and deriving conclusions. So, this is another major reason
why research is crucial in education. 

Research promotes curiosity

In the words of Albert Einstein, “Curiosity is more important than
knowledge.” Now, you may wonder why so? Basically, curiosity is a
strong desire to learn or know things. It motivates you to pursue an
everlasting journey of learning. 
Every curious individual observes things, experiments, and learns. It
seems that knowledge follows curiosity, but the vice versa is not true.
An individual may gain a lot of knowledge about multiple things
despite not being curious. But, then, he might not use his knowledge
to engage in innovation because of the lack of curiosity. 

Hence, his knowledge might become futile, or he may just remain a

bookworm. So, curiosity is more important than knowledge, and
research promotes curiosity. How? 

The answer is because research helps you plunge into things. You

observe what is not visible to everyone. You explore the wonders of
nature and other phenomena. The more you know, the more you
understand that you don’t know, which ignites curiosity. 

Research boosts confidence and self-esteem

Developing confident individuals is one of the major goals of
education. When students undertake the journey of research and
come up with important conclusions or results, they
develop immense confidence in their knowledge and skills. 

Related: Why is Self Confidence Important?

They feel as if they can do anything. This is another important reason

why research is crucial in education. 

Research helps students evolve into

independent learners
Most of the time, teachers guide students on the path of learning. But,
research opportunities give students chances to pave their own
learning path. 

It is like they pursue a journey of learning by themselves. They consult

different resources that seem appropriate, use their own methods, and
shape the journey on their own. 

This way, they evolve into independent learners, which is excellent as it

sets the foundation for lifelong learning. 

Theresa Bertuzzi

Chief Program Development Officer and Co-founder, Tiny

Hoppers

Research helps revamp the curriculum and

include proven best techniques
Research is critical in education as our world is constantly evolving, so
approaches and solutions need to be updated to best suit the current
educational climate. 

With the influx of child development and psychology studies,

educators and child product development experts are honing how
certain activities, lessons, behavior management, etc., can impact a
child’s development.
For example, child development research has led to the development
of toy blocks, jigsaws, and shape sorters, which have proven to be
linked to: 

 Spatial thinking

 Logical reasoning

 Shape and color recognition

 Ordering

There is no one-size-fits-all when approaching educational practices;

therefore, we can revamp the curriculum and include proven best
techniques and methodologies by continuously researching past
strategies and looking into new tactics. 

Effective teaching requires practical evidence approaches rather than

making it a guessing game. 

The combination of work done by child educators of all ages, and

research in child development psychology allow new developments in
toys, activities, and practical resources for other educators, child care
workers, and parents. Such ensures children can reap the benefits of
child development research. 

It enables a better understanding of how to

adapt methods of instruction
In addition, with all of the various learning styles, researching the
diversity in these types will enable a better understanding of how to
adapt methods of instruction to all learners’ needs. 
Child development research gives educators, child care workers, and
parents the ability to guide the average child at specific age ranges,
but each child is unique in their own needs. 

It is important to note that while this is the average, it is up to the

educator and childcare provider to adapt accordingly to each child
based on their individual needs. 

Scott Winstead

Education Technology Expert | Founder, My eLearning World

It’s the most important tool for expanding our

knowledge
Research is an integral part of education for teachers and students
alike. It’s our most important tool for expanding our knowledge and
understanding of different topics and ideas.

 Educators need to be informed about the latest research to

make good decisions and provide students with quality learning
opportunities.

 Research provides educators with valuable information about

how students learn best so they can be more effective teachers. 
  It also helps us develop new methods and techniques for
teaching and allows educators to explore different topics and
ideas in more detail.

 For students, research allows them to explore new topics and

develop critical thinking skills along with analytical and
communication skills.

In short, research is vital in education because it helps us learn more

about the world around us and improves the quality of education for
everyone involved.

Connor Ondriska

CEO, SpanishVIP

It creates better experiences and improves the

quality of education
Research continues to be so important in education because we
should constantly be improving as educators. If one of the goals of
education is to continually work on making a better world, then the
face of education a century ago shouldn’t look the same today. 

You can apply that same logic on a shorter scale, especially with
the technological boom. So research is a way that educators can learn
about what’s working, what isn’t, and what are the areas we need to
focus on. 

For example, we focus purely on distance learning, which means we

need to innovate in a field that doesn’t have a ton of research yet. If
we’re being generous, we can say that distance education became
viable in the 1990s, but people are just now accepting it as a valid way
to learn. 

Since you can’t necessarily apply everything you know about

traditional pedagogy to an online setting, It’s an entirely different
context that requires its own study. 

As more research comes out about the effectiveness and

understanding of this type of education, we can adapt as educators to
help our students. Ultimately, that research will help us create better
experiences and improve the quality of distance education. 

The key here is to make sure that research is available and that

teachers actually respond to it. In that sense, ongoing research and
continual teacher training can go hand-in-hand. 

It leads to more effective educational

approaches
Research in the field of language learning is significant. We’re
constantly changing our understanding of how languages are learned.
Over just the last century, there have been dozens of new
methodologies and approaches. 
Linguists/pedagogues have frequently re-interpreted the language-
learning process, and all of this analytical research
has revolutionized the way we understand language. 

We started with simple Grammar Translation (how you would learn

Latin), and now research focuses on more holistic  communication
techniques. So we’ve definitely come a long way, but we should keep
going. 

Now with distance education, we’re experiencing another shift in

language learning. You don’t need to memorize textbook vocabulary.
You don’t need to travel abroad to practice with native speakers. 

Thanks to ongoing research, we’ve developed our own method of

learning Spanish that’s been shown to be 10x more efficient than
traditional classroom experiences. 

So if we’ve been able to do so, then maybe someone will develop an

even better  methodology in the future. So research and innovation are
only leading to more effective educational approaches that benefit the
entire society.  

Research helps everyone in the education field

to become better
This stands in both the public and private sectors. Even though we’re
an education business, public schools should also be adapting to new
ways to utilize distance learning. 

As more technology becomes readily available to students, teachers

should capitalize on that to ensure everyone receives a better
education.
Related: How Important Is Technology in Education 

There is now a vast body of research about technology in the

language classroom, so why not take advantage of that research and
create better lesson plans? 

So as new research appears, everyone in the education field will

become a better teacher. And that statement will stand ten years from
now. Education needs to adapt to the needs of society, but we need
research to know how we can do that appropriately.  

James Bacon, MSEd

Director of Outreach and Operations, Edficiency

Research gives schools confidence to adopt

different practices
Research in education is important to inform teachers, administrators,
and even parents about what practices have been shown to impact
different outcomes that can be important, like:

 Student learning outcomes (often measured by test scores)

 Graduation and/or attendance rates

 Social-emotional skills 
  College and/or job matriculation rates, among many others

Research can give insights into which programs, teaching methods,

curricula, schedules, and other structures provide which benefits to
which groups and thus give schools the confidence to adopt these
different practices.

It measures the impact of innovations 

Research in education also enables us to measure different
innovations that are tried in schools, which is also essential to push the
field of education further. 

It also ensures that students learn individually and collectively more

than those we’ve educated in the past, or at least in different ways, to
respond to changes and help shape society’s future. 

Research can give us the formal feedback to know if innovations

happening in classrooms, schools, and districts across the country (and
the world) are having the intended impact and whether or not they
should be continued, expanded, discontinued, or used only in specific
contexts.

Without research, we might continue to innovate to the detriment of

our students and education system without knowing it.

Loic Bellet
 Business English Coach, Speak Proper English

It provides numerous advantages to explore

profession
Developing a research-based approach to enhance your practice gives
you the evidence you need to make changes in your classroom,
school, and beyond. 

In the light of the ongoing discussion over what works and why, there
are numerous advantages to exploring your profession, whether for
immediate improvement via action research and, more broadly, for
acquiring awareness and knowledge on topics of interest and
significance. 

There are several advantages to incorporating research into your

practice. This is why research is a part of teacher education from the
beginning. 

Research can be used to:

 Assist you in discovering solutions to specific issues that may

arise in your school or classroom.

 Support professional knowledge, competence, and

understanding of learning
  Connect you to information sources and expert support
networks.

 When implementing change, such as curriculum, pedagogy, or

assessment, it’s important to spell out the goals, processes,
and objectives.

 Improve your organizational, local, and national grasp of

your professional and policy environment, allowing you to
educate and lead better strategically and effectively.

 Inside your school and more broadly within the

profession, develop your agency, impact, self-efficacy, and
voice.

 Each of these may entail an investigation based on

evidence out of your environment and evidence from other
sources.
Although research methodologies have progressed significantly, the
importance of research alone has grown. 

We’ve seen online research gaining popularity, and the value of

research is increasing by the day. As a result, companies are looking
for online access researchers to work with them and carry out research
for accurate data from the internet. 

Furthermore, research became a requirement for survival. We’ll have

to do it nonetheless. We can’t make business judgments, launch
businesses, or prove theories without extensive research. There has
been a lot of effort to create research a base of info and advancement.

Saikiran Chandha
 CEO and Founder, Typeset

It offers factual or evidence-based learning

approach
It’s evident that research and education are intertwined! On a broader
spectrum, education is something that you perceive as a fundamental
part of your learning process (in your institutions, colleges, school,
etc.). 

It improves your skills, knowledge, social and moral values. But on the
other hand, research is something that you owe to as it provides you
with the scientific and systemic solution to your educational
hardships. 

For example: Research aids in implementing different teaching

methods, identifying learning difficulties and addressing them,
curriculum development, and more. 

Accordingly, research plays a significant role in offering a factual or

evidence-based learning approach to academic challenges and
concerns. 

And the two primary benefits of research in education are:

Research helps to improve the education
system
Yes, the prime focus of research is to excavate, explore and discover a
new, innovative, and creative approach to enhance the teaching and
learning methods based on the latest educational needs and
advancements. 

Research fuels your knowledge bank

Research is all about learning new things, data sourcing, analysis, and
more. So, technically, research replenishes your knowledge bank with
factual data. 

Thus, it helps educators or teachers develop their subject knowledge,

aids in-depth harvest erudition, and increases overall classroom
performance.

Chaye McIntosh, MS, LCADC

Clinical Director, ChoicePoint Health

It improves the learning curve

Research, I believe, is a fundamental part of education, be it by the
student or the teacher. 
When you research a topic, you will not just learn and read about stuff
related to the topic but also branch out and learn new and different
things. This improves the learning curve, and you delve deeper into
topics, develop interest and increase your knowledge. 

Academically and personally, I can grow every day and attain the
confidence that the abundance of information brings me.

It builds up understanding and perspective

Research can help you build up understanding and perspective
regarding the niche of choice; help you evaluate and analyze it with
sound theories and a factual basis rather than just learning just for the
sake of it.

Educationally, it can help you form informed opinions and sound logic
that can be beneficial in school and routinely. Not only this, when you
do proper research on any educational topic and learn about the
facts and figures, chances are you will score better than your
classmates who only have textbook knowledge. 

So the research will give you an edge over your peers and help you
perform better in exams and classroom discussions.

Matthew Carter

Attorney, Inc and Go
Solid research is a skill you need in all careers
That goes double for careers like mine. You might think that attorneys
learn all the answers in law school, but in fact, we know how to find
the answers we need through research. 

Doctors and accountants will tell you the same thing. No one can ever
hold all the knowledge they need. You have to be able to find
the correct answer quickly. School is the perfect place to learn that.

Research enables you to weigh sources and

find the best ones
How do you know the source you have found is reliable? If you are
trained in research, you’ve learned how to weigh sources and find the
best ones. 

Comparing ideas and using them to draw bigger conclusions helps

you not only in your career but in your life. As we have seen politically
in the last few years, it enables you to be a more informed citizen.

Research makes you more persuasive

Want to have more civil conversations with your family over the
holidays? Being able to dig into a body of research and pull out
answers that you actually understand makes you a more effective
speaker. 

People are more likely to believe you when you have formed an
opinion through research rather than parroting something you saw on
the news. They may even appreciate your efforts to make the
conversation more logical and civil.
As for me, I spend a lot of time researching business formation now,
and I use that in my writing. 

George Tsagas

Owner, eMathZone

Research helps build holistic knowledge

Your background will cause you to approach a topic with a
preconceived notion. When you take the time to see the full context of
a situation, your perspective changes. 

Researching one topic also expands your perspective of other topics.

The information you uncover when studying a particular subject can
inform other tangential subjects in the future as you build a greater
knowledge of the world and how connected it is. 

As a result, any initial research you do will be a building block for

future studies. You will begin each subsequent research process with
more information. You will continue to broaden your perspective each
time.

Research helps you become more empathic

Even if you don’t change your mind on a subject, researching that
topic will expose you to other points of view and help you understand
why people might feel differently about a situation. 

The more knowledge you gain about how others think, the more likely
you are to humanize them and be more empathetic to diverse
viewpoints and backgrounds in the future.

Research teaches you how to learn

Through the research process, you discover where you have
information gaps and what questions to ask in order to solve them. It
helps you approach a subject with curiosity and a willingness to learn
rather than thinking you have the right answer from the beginning.

Georgi Georgiev

Owner, GIGA calculator

It helps us learn about the status quo of

existing literature
The starting point of every scientific and non-scientific paper is in-
depth literature research.

It helps to:
  gather casual evidence about a specific research topic

 answer a specific scientific question

 learn about the status quo of existing literature

 identify potential problems and raise new questions

Anyone writing a scientific paper needs evidence based on facts to
back up theories, hypotheses, assumptions, and claims. However, since
most authors can’t derive all the evidence on their own, they have to
rely on the evidence provided by existing scientific (and peer-
reviewed) literature. 

Subsequently, comprehensive literature research is inevitable. Only by

delving deeply into a research topic will the authors gather the data
and evidence necessary for a differentiated examination of the current
status quo. 

This, in turn, will allow them to develop new ideas and raise new
questions. 

Craig Miller

Co-Founder, Academia Labs LLC

Research supplements knowledge gaps

In the academe, research is critical. Our daily lives revolve around
research, making research an integral part of education.

If you want to know which restaurant in your area serves the best
steak, you’d have to research on the internet and read reviews. If you
want to see the procedure for making an omelet, you’d have to
research on the internet or ask your parents. Hence, research is part of
our lives, whether we want it or not.

It is no secret that there are a lot of knowledge gaps in the knowledge

pool. Research is the only thing that can supplement these gaps and
answer the questions with no answers.

It will also provide the correct information to long-debated

questions like the shape of the Earth and the evolution of man.

With every information readily available to us with just a click and a

scroll on the internet, research is crucial in identifying which data
are factual and which are just fake news. More than that, it helps
transfer correct information from one person to another while
combating the spread of false information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the importance of research?
Research plays a critical role in advancing our knowledge and
understanding of the world around us. Here are some key reasons why
research is so important:

• Generates new knowledge: Research is a process of discovering

new information and insights. It allows us to explore questions that
have not yet been answered, and to generate new ideas and theories
that can help us make sense of the world.

• Improves existing knowledge: Research also allows us to build on

existing knowledge, by testing and refining theories, and by
uncovering new evidence that supports or challenges our
understanding of a particular topic.

• Drives innovation: Many of the greatest innovations in history have

been driven by research. Whether it’s developing new technologies,
discovering new medical treatments, or exploring new frontiers in
science, research is essential for pushing the boundaries of what is
possible.

• Informs decision-making: Research provides the evidence and data

needed to make informed decisions. Whether it’s in business,
government, or any other field, research helps us understand the pros
and cons of different options, and to choose the course of action that
is most likely to achieve our goals.

• Promotes critical thinking: Conducting research requires us to

think critically, analyze data, and evaluate evidence. These skills are not
only valuable in research, but also in many other areas of life, such as
problem-solving, decision-making, and communication.

What is the ultimate goal of a research?

The ultimate goal of research is to uncover new knowledge, insights,
and understanding about a particular topic or phenomenon. Through
careful investigation, analysis, and interpretation of data, researchers
aim to make meaningful contributions to their field of study and
advance our collective understanding of the world around us.
There are many different types of research, each with its own specific
goals and objectives. Some research seeks to test hypotheses or
theories, while others aim to explore and describe a particular
phenomenon. Still, others may be focused on developing new
technologies or methods for solving practical problems.

Regardless of the specific goals of a given research project, all

research shares a common aim: to generate new knowledge and
insights that can help us better understand and navigate the complex
world we live in.

Of course, conducting research is not always easy or straightforward.

Researchers must contend with a wide variety of challenges, including

finding funding, recruiting participants, collecting and analyzing data,
and interpreting their results. But despite these obstacles, the pursuit
of knowledge and understanding remains a fundamental driving force
behind all scientific inquiry.

How can research improve the quality of life?

Research can improve the quality of life in a variety of ways, from
advancing medical treatments to informing social policies that
promote equality and justice. Here are some specific examples:

• Medical research: Research in medicine and healthcare can lead to

the development of new treatments, therapies, and technologies that
improve health outcomes and save lives.

For example, research on vaccines and antibiotics has helped to

prevent and treat infectious diseases, while research on cancer has led
to new treatments and improved survival rates.
 • Environmental research: Research on environmental issues can help
us to understand the impact of human activities on the planet and
develop strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

For example, research on renewable energy sources can help to

reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment for
future generations.

• Social research: Research on social issues can help us to understand

and address social problems such as poverty, inequality, and
discrimination.

For example, research on the effects of poverty on child development

can inform policies and programs that support families and promote
child well-being.

• Technological research: Research on technology can lead to the

development of new products and services that improve quality of life,
such as assistive technologies for people with disabilities or smart
home systems that promote safety and convenience.

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The Editors

EDUCATION

Why Is Philosophy Important?

By The Editors
Updated on March 14, 2023
Philosophy is a subject that most people tend to ignore or avoid.
However, experts say that philosophy is an essential part of
understanding and appreciating the world around us.

So, this leads us to the question, why is philosophy important? Will it

help us with our day-to-day life?

According to experts, here are the top reasons why:

 Table of Contents
 It illuminates and helps us ponder and create at the boundaries of what
we know
 It allows us to push the boundaries of what we know
 It helps us explore topics with reason and humanity
 It put all else into perspective: career, life, moral reasoning, etc
 It is crucial in teaching us to debate with civility
 It is a fundamental part of being a human
 Philosophy courses build skills
 Textbooks are excellent but not always required
 Promotes critical thinking and reasoning skills
 Increases ethical awareness and self-reflection
 Furthers a passion for learning
 It can open people to the world of ideas at an early age
 You’ll gain valuable insight into human nature
 You’ll learn how to understand yourself better
 You’ll learn how to be a better person
 It will teach you about the things that we can all do and understand
 Frequently Asked Questions
o Why is philosophy still important today?
o Why is philosophy important in education?

Scott Foulkrod, J.D.

Associate Professor of Philosophy and Legal Studies, Harrisburg

University of Science and Technology
It illuminates and helps us ponder and create
at the boundaries of what we know
Philosophy is important because it illuminates and helps us ponder
and create at the boundaries of what we know and what we would like
to know or create in science, religion, politics, and many other fields of
inquiry and life.

To begin with, it is human nature, what we know and inquires into

areas that we explore and can only imagine at the moment.

It starts from a base of accepted knowledge and then expands with a

thought, “what if?” Einstein imagined what it would be like to travel on
a beam of light.

Many have wondered whether and what God is. Psychology and many
other fields that we endeavor to understand as science are ever-
changing explorations  and explanations of thought.

Philosophy is where reasonable people disagree  on a topic, where we

live in so many  issues such as religion, politics, law, and even scientific
inquiry.

It allows us to push the boundaries of what we

know
It allows us to push the boundaries of what we know into what we
would like to learn next or challenge what we think we know.

Some of my former students have told me that our philosophy class

was the most important one they took in college because it put all else
into perspective with career, life, and moral reasoning about not only
can we, but should we, or how should we go about this?

It helps us explore topics with reason and

humanity
For millennia we have endeavored to solve questions about our
existence, the beginning and nature of the universe, the presence and
intent of God, who should govern us, and how laws we should live by.

We should use reasoning to decide  our actions’ morality, and as

important as these questions are, we have not reached any specific
agreement.

Philosophy helps us explore  these topics with reason and humanity in

our attempt to come to solutions we can for a time live with, even
while we continue to debate and study them as society changes and
boundaries of our technology dissolve.

It put all else into perspective: career, life,

moral reasoning, etc
It is human nature to imagine and explore, and philosophy lives at
these boundaries in specific fields such as science  and technology.

Former students have told me that our philosophy course was their
most important because it put all else into perspective: career, life,
moral reasoning, asking not only can we, but should we, and how we
should go about doing it.
It is crucial in teaching us to debate with
civility
The value of philosophy today is as crucial as ever in teaching us to
debate with civility.

When we leave mere personal passion and use reason, evidence, and
empathy, we bring people with us and to us, not to win, but to offer
others with our informed hope  as we try to create
something better  for ourselves, our planet, and other species with
whom we share it.

Karen Southall Watts

Instructor of Humanities and Success Skills, Bellingham Technical

College | Author, “The Solo Workday“

It is a fundamental part of being a human

Socrates famously said, “The unexamined life is not worth
living.”  Those of us drowning in dirty laundry, unpaid bills, or endless
task lists are now collectively rolling our eyes.

Yet, the search for meaning in life is not limited to academics in ivory
towers. When given a bit of time  and space, we all long to know why
we’re here and how we fit in.
Not everyone will get the luxury of taking philosophy classes, but
philosophy—the study of the nature of existence—is
a fundamental  part of being human.

Philosophy courses build skills

Ask employers what they want in new hires and what job candidates
lack.

You will hear some combinations of the following:

 soft skills

 communication skills

 interpersonal skills

 problem-solving skills

 critical thinking skills

Related: Why is Critical Thinking Important?

Philosophy courses, and other humanities-based classes that fall under

this broad heading, build these essential  skills. Students in these
classes learn how to examine the human experience and discuss issues
that are sensitive and often complex.

Philosophy and related courses teach us how to think, and having

carefully thought about something, how to share those thoughts with
others.

Textbooks are excellent but not always

required
People love to gather and talk about life, from early morning coffee
groups to book clubs to Death Cafe’s to the comment section on
YouTube. Connecting with others and pondering the meaning of our
lives is normal, natural, and not limited to formal classroom settings.

Philosophy, and the shared language of philosophical discussion, give

us the means to find society in a world that is often overwhelming,
chaotic, and cruel.

Philosophical discussion is the arena where we learn to argue with

respect, debate with civility, and analyze with care.

Dr. Anneke Schmidt

Educational Researcher | Founder, Skill & Care

There are many reasons why teaching Philosophy in schools can
benefit students’ development. Here is a brief list of the main
advantages:

Promotes critical thinking and reasoning skills

The discipline of philosophy provides students with the thought
processes necessary to analyze  issues, solve problems, and make
decisions.
Philosophy can improve  students’ reasoning, argumentation, listening,
and speaking skills by engaging them in inquiry and debates. Students
who study philosophical works develop more  vital reasoning skills
through class discussion.

Increases ethical awareness and self-reflection

Another benefit of teaching philosophy in schools is that
it encourages  ethical thinking. The study of philosophy helps
students develop  a sense of right and wrong, enabling them to apply
their knowledge of ethics to their everyday lives.

Philosophy is more than just an academic subject. It requires students

to reflect  on the important moral issues in their lives, examines why
these are considered “moral” problems, and understand the
consequences of acting upon one’s convictions.

It can also cultivate respect for different cultures and ideas through
exposure to different philosophical theories about life and death,
happiness, beauty, etc., and challenge one’s preconceived notions
about self and society.

Furthers a passion for learning

One common criticism of teaching philosophy in schools is that
the discipline only helps students be eloquent in their verbal
expression but fails to teach them any factual
knowledge or common sense.

This, however, is a narrow view of what philosophy entails. Philosophy

has been known as the “love of wisdom.” It
requires systematic  and rigorous  thinking to understand the
complexities of human existence.

The discipline can thus stimulate a passion for lifelong  learning and

lead students into subjects like history, mathematics, science, or
literature.

Getting children involved in philosophy at an early age will help

them develop  a sense of wonder and instill a love for reading.

It will enable them to ask questions about the things around them that
they do not understand, thus encouraging their learning abilities.

Brian Gawor

Vice President of Research, RNL

It can open people to the world of ideas at an

early age
We’re moving, as a society, away from “stuff.” We’re in an idea and
experience economy, and people care more about their purpose and
meaning today than the next shiny thing they can buy.

Philosophy opened  me to the world of ideas at an early age and has

made me more able to connect with people and make a change in
every organization I’ve served.
I remember buying a “philosophy for dummies” comic book series my
first year in college. And great professors helped  me dive into the
world of ideas. It changed  my life.

I learned about marketing and technology on the job. But because I

was introduced to the world of ideas and purpose early, I’ve been
better and more resilient as a professional.

In a time of stress, turmoil, and demands from the world, It’s easy to
get caught up in the “when” and “how.” Philosophy allows us to focus
on the “why,” and that’s crucial to happiness, success, and fulfillment.

Lynda Fairly 

Co-founder, Numlooker
Philosophy has been around since the very beginning of time, so it’s
no surprise that it continues to be a topic of interest.

While many are laughing at the thought of a career in philosophy if

they can’t see any practical applications for its study, this field is worth
exploring because it can teach you about yourself, love, and even help
you understand other people better.

Here are just some of the reasons why it’s an excellent subject to take
up and consider as a career option.

You’ll gain valuable insight into human nature

Philosophy will teach you the psychology behind why we think, act,
and react to the things in life that we do.

It will teach you about human nature, which is essential for

understanding others and predicting the actions and reactions of your
fellow humans.

You’ll learn how to understand yourself better

Many people mistakenly believe that only other people know how
they feel or think, but we experience life much like everyone else when
it comes down to it.

If you consider yourself a “soulful person” or a “hard-headed

thinker,” philosophy will show you specific ways of learning more
about yourself through literature.

You’ll learn how to be a better person

Many people know that philosophy can help you become
a better  person, but it’s the most important aspect of this subject.

It will teach you about the things that we can

all do and understand
Philosophy will teach you about the things that we can all do and
understand but don’t because we may not have experienced them
first-hand or been taught about them on a deep or meaningful level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is philosophy still important today?
Philosophy helps us to understand the fundamental questions that
shape our existence.

Who are we?

What is the nature of reality?
What is the meaning of life?

These are not just abstract musings for armchair philosophers, but
questions that touch the very core of our being. By grappling with
these questions, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and
our place in the world.

But philosophy isn’t just about asking big questions — it’s also about
developing critical thinking skills. Philosophy teaches us to analyze
arguments, identify fallacies, and evaluate evidence. In a world where
we are bombarded with information from all sides, these skills are
more important than ever. They enable us to separate fact from fiction,
to think logically and rationally, and to make informed decisions.

Furthermore, philosophy can help us to navigate ethical dilemmas and

moral quandaries. It provides us with frameworks for thinking about
what is right and wrong, just and unjust, good and bad. Whether we
are considering the ethics of artificial intelligence or the morality of
gene editing, philosophy offers us tools to engage with these complex
issues in a thoughtful and nuanced way.

Finally, philosophy can inspire us to live better lives. From the ancient
Greeks to modern thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre, philosophers have
explored what it means to live a fulfilling life. By studying their ideas,
we can gain insights into how to cultivate happiness, meaning, and
purpose in our own lives.
Why is philosophy important in education?
Philosophy is important in education because it provides a framework
for understanding the world and our place in it. At its core, philosophy
is about asking big questions and seeking answers through rational
inquiry.

By incorporating philosophical inquiry into education, we can help

students develop critical thinking skills, cultivate a love of learning, and
become well-rounded individuals.

One of the key benefits of studying philosophy is that it teaches us to

ask questions and seek answers. This is a skill that is essential in all
areas of life, from personal relationships to professional endeavors. By
encouraging students to ask questions and think critically, we can help
them become independent thinkers who are capable of solving
problems and making informed decisions.

Another important aspect of philosophy in education is that it

provides a foundation for ethical thinking. Ethics is the branch of
philosophy that explores questions of right and wrong, and it is
essential for students to develop a strong ethical framework in order
to navigate the complex moral challenges of the world. By studying
ethics, students can learn to think deeply about their values and
beliefs, and develop a sense of responsibility to others.

Finally, philosophy is important in education because it teaches us to

appreciate the beauty and complexity of the world around us.
Philosophy encourages us to explore questions about the nature of
reality, the meaning of life, and the relationship between humanity
and the universe.
 By engaging with these questions, students can gain a deeper
understanding of themselves and the world, and develop a sense of
wonder and awe about the mysteries of existence.

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The Editors

EDUCATION
15+ Real Life Examples of
Probability
By The Editors
Updated on March 1, 2023
Have you ever wondered about the likelihood of certain events
occurring? Or think about the chances that something good or bad
will happen? Well, sometimes it may just be probability at play.

But how exactly does probability works in the real world?

According to experts, here are practical and real-life examples of

probability in action.

Jed Macosko, B.S. MIT, Ph.D.

Professor, Wake Forest University | Educational

Director, Academic Influence

Buying a one-way or round-trip airfare ticket

How can one-way airfare be more expensive than round-trip?

Have you ever tried to buy a one-way ticket, only to discover that you
would save money purchasing a round-trip and not flying home? How
does that work for the airline company? The answer to this puzzle
turns out to be an excellent example of probability calculations.

Right now, if I try to book a one-way ticket from my local airport to

Newark sometime in the next two weeks, the non-stop fare is $216.
But if I book the same outbound flight as a round trip ticket, my fare
drops to $164. That’s a savings of $52! So why would I pay over 30%
more to get a one-way ticket?

The answer to this puzzle is that the airline company counts on some
customers needing to change their return flight to a different time or
date. In doing so, these customers will end up paying any price
difference.

For the customer, the extra fare will be less than buying a whole new
ticket, but for the airline company, it will make up for the fact that the
round-trip was $52 cheaper.

If that alone were the reason for airline companies to sell round-trips
at a lower cost than one-ways, you could do a little calculation to see
the expected probability that a customer will need to swap out their
return ticket for a new time or date.

Let’s say that a new return ticket will cost a customer an extra $208 if
they want to make a late-in-the-process change. That extra cash is
four times more than the $52 in savings that the airline provided when
the customer bought a round-trip instead of a one-way.

This means that the airline is counting on at least one out of

four customers needing to make this change.

Does it seem reasonable that 25% of the time, customers make this
type of last-minute change to their return ticket? It may seem like a
high percentage, but keep in mind that these are the customers that
were only planning to book a one-way ticket and just gave their best
guess as to when they would come home.

If they are like most people, they might not think to change their
return flight to a better time or day until the fares have increased by a
lot.

In the end, airlines have many reasons to offer round-trips at a lower

cost than one-way tickets. With probability calculations, you can get
an idea of some of the trade-offs that might be for these companies
and you as a customer.

Devon Fata

CEO, Pixoul

Rolling a six-sided dice

Probability is the likelihood that a given event will happen, expressed
in numeric terms. Rolling dice is an excellent way to understand this
idea. A normal six-sided die has a one-in-six chance of rolling a one
any time you roll it. 

We could also say that it has about a 17% chance of rolling a one.
What happens if we want to determine the probability of something
more complicated?
Repeated rolls
If the odds of rolling a one on a six-sided die are one in six, then what
are the odds of doing that twice in a row? Or three times? To figure
this out, we multiply our probabilities. 

If our odds of a one are one in six, then our odds of two ones in a row
are one in 36. We multiply the fraction 1/6 by itself, meaning that we
multiply the numerators and the denominators separately. 1×1 = 1.
6×6 = 36.

For three dice, we multiply by 1/6 one more time to get one in 216.

Results are independent

The odds of rolling a one on a six-sided die are one in six. This is true
no matter how many times we roll that dice or how many times we
have already rolled a one. 

If we’re trying to roll three ones in a row, and we’ve just moved two
ones, the odds that the next die comes up as a one are exactly one in
six, not one in 216. This is because each die roll is calculated
separately.

In other words, the past rolls of the dice will not have any direct
impact on the next roll we make. 

Brad Biren, Esq, LL.M. 

 Elder Law and Tax Attorney, IQMOP

Research and forecasting on post-pandemic

disability and employment
Stephen Haller, General Counsel for the IRS, and I conducted research
and forecasting on post-pandemic disability and employment starting
in August of last year. It culminated in several scholarly articles.

Our findings:  

1. The estimated per person per infection disabling rate, as a

function of per death within a population, is forecasted at 34.47%
after 20 months of unvaccinated exposure.

2. Based on the number of deaths, we reverse-engineered a

projection closer to Oxford University’s Alpha variant study of
37% disability within the entire population of the US, using Mayo
Clinic definitions for disability.
More specific data: My goal was to forecast the percentage of people
newly disabled by COVID in the State of Iowa. The first equation I
constructed used historical information on the disabling rate of each
major conflict since Iowa achieved statehood. 

The second was the infection rate of COVID, keeping in mind rates are
variance equations themselves. Next, I incorporated the mortality rate
of the disease. Lastly, I added qualitative information from the Mayo
Clinic to define COVID’s disabling rate. 

My forecast is likely wrong by about 2.45%, and I invite you to

understand my error in the spirit of collaboration. I had determined
that COVID yielded a disabling rate of 19.21% per infection as a
function of the mortality rate. 

A later study conducted by Oxford University showed those who

survived infection from Coronavirus in the United Kingdom yielded a
net disabling rate of 37%. 

My forecast was about Iowa’s disabling rate based on the Mayo Clinics
definitions. Oxford’s forecast was more of an analysis of raw data
transforming it into information using different definitions
for “disabled.” 

My forecast predicted the infection rate per infection in each person.

Later in the pandemic, we learned that the unvaccinated were
becoming reinfected at a rate between nine and 13 months. That
means most of Iowa and the UK population were infected twice before
the majority vaccination. 

When 19.21% is squared (representing the two infections), my forecast

yields a 34.73% disabling rate. That is the marvel of multiple
forecasting—its simplistic precision appears almost dynamic
compared to conventional taxational forecasting models. 

Thus, I pose this question to the reader writ-large, why does taxation,
a qualitative science within the law, not use multiple model
forecasting?  

Erik Hansen
 Consultant Manager, Right People Group

The odds of winning the lottery if you buy one

ticket each week
I have played the lottery off and on for years, and the lotto is a great
way to conceptualize probability. 

The odds of winning the lottery depend on many factors, including: 

 The number of people buying tickets

 How many numbers does the lottery choose out of a possible 6

I am going to use my state’s rules for an example:

On average, most states have around 10 million people playing the

lottery each week. In terms of the probability, that would mean that
there are 100 million possible outcomes each week on average.

Out of those 100 million possible outcomes, there are six numbers
chosen, so the odds of getting your six consecutive numbers correct if
you choose to play just one ticket = 1/6 (16.667%).

The probability that someone wins when they play just one ticket =
1/100,000,000 (0.000001).
The odds of winning the lottery if you play one ticket each week =
1/100,000,000 (0.000001) ≈ 0.00000001 or 0.00000001%.

Nekia Wright, M.Ed.

Special Education Teacher | Owner and Founder, Ujamaa

A child getting a cookie

We use probability anytime there is uncertainty. It helps us make
decisions. Get what we want. For example, a child wants a cookie. Their
mom just gave them a cookie. They ate it, and it was delicious, so now
they want another.

The child has the following options:

 They could ask the mom again.

 They could ask the other parent while the mom is in the room.

 They could ask the other parent while the mom is out of the
room and not able to hear.
The child will quickly calculate which scenario will give them
the highest  probability of a cookie. And they will ask the other parent
when the mom is out of earshot because that will give them the
highest probability of receiving a cookie.

Aaron Barnett
 Managing Director, Banging Toolbox

Safety and risk factors on building and

construction sites
On the building and construction site, safety is essential.
The unexpected can always happen. However, there has to be
a balance  between working and being safe. 

Site safety comes down to predicting the probability of risks and

defining the risk factor for each situation. So we can focus the most
extensive efforts where there is a higher probability of an accident and
a higher level of risk.

1. First, we define the level of risk if an accident occurs as either

a minor injury, serious injury, long-term injury, or death. 

2. Then we determine if a risk can be eliminated, isolated, or

only minimized by using safer building methods, better PPE
(personal protective equipment), technology, safer tools, better
training, or hiring specialized workers. 

By doing all these, we can make the building site safer and reduce the
chance and probability of a severe accident.

Dean Kaplan
 CEO, Kaplan Collection Agency

Recovering from debts

I work in business-to-business debt collection, and our clients are
keenly interested in the probabilities of recovering their debts. We
closely monitor the probabilities inherent in our work.

For example, the probability we collect on outstanding debt is 85%,

and we are able to negotiate a settlement without needing to bring
the debtor to court 97% of the time. By sharing these probabilities
with our clients, they can make a more informed decision about our
services.

Knowledge of probabilities ensures that decisions can

be objective  and data-driven instead of based on instinct.

Adam Garcia

Founder, The Stock Dork

Buying cryptocurrencies
If you’ve ever thought of buying crypto, chances are you know that the
most probable outcome for every new coin is — failure. 

Nobody knows the exact number of dead coins (maybe

because anyone can make a new coin and watch it die a quick death),
but one thing is sure: several thousand cryptocurrencies have been
around at one point or another, only a handful of them have survived
to tell the story.

But how to calculate the probability that a new coin will survive? It’s
simple — don’t even try; because the probability of such an outcome is
ridiculously high, the exact percentage doesn’t even matter. 

So if you want to buy crypto, this probability of failure should teach

you a lesson that unless you’re a daredevil, you should only invest in
well-established coins and only as much as you’re ready to lose. It’s
because the probability of failure is not the only one. 

There’s also the probability that its price will plummet at a certain
point, and it’s also relatively high. The only thing mitigating it is the
probability (even higher)  that it will rise again, as it always has!

Jessica Ulloa

Community Manager, MyPerfectResume

Insurance and the worst-case scenarios

Insurance is a great real-life example of probability. We pay
to secure ourselves or assets from the probability of accidents, loss,
theft, or damage, but in reality, we are not 100% certain that any of
this will ever happen.

In this case, the negative effects of something bad happening to our

assets or ourselves are far too big to leave it to chance, so we feel
safer paying for the insurance.

It’s tough to predict if the worst-case scenario will actually happen to

us. Though car and home insurance is a fee we are obligated to pay,
we also pay insurance voluntarily in many cases.

Take travel insurance as an example. It gives us peace of mind to know

that if our flights are canceled or our luggage is lost, we will be fully
covered and our money refunded.

Even if our trip goes according to plan, when the negative effect of not
paying insurance is far too significant, we find a way to be ok with
paying for what, in reality, is just a probability.

Daniela Sawyer

Founder, FindPeopleFast

Everything is a possibility
Probability is essentially research into a series of events that may or
may not  occur. In everyday life, everything is a possibility, from
weather predictions to the chance of dying in an accident. We don’t
even realize we’re doing it most of the time. 

For instance, before heading out for personal or professional reasons,

we look at the weather forecast. Meteorologists can’t predict the
weather accurately; therefore, they rely on tools and instruments to
anticipate rain, snow, or hail. 

Meteorologists also use historical data to forecast high and low

temperatures and possible weather patterns for the day or week
ahead.

Some other examples of probability include:

 Surveying insurance policies to see which plans are ideal for

you or your family, as well as what premium amounts are
required.

 Coaches and players use probability to determine the most

decisive game and competition tactics. When deciding where
to put a player in the lineup, a cricket coach considers his batting
average.

 Many political strategists apply probability-based

methodologies to predict election results. For example,
depending on the findings of exit polls, they may anticipate the
success of a particular political party.

Related: What Is the Main Purpose of a Political Party?

Beau Pent
 Sales Manager, GoCo

Meeting someone taller than me

What are the odds that I meet someone taller than me today? 

I’m fairly short, so the odds are always pretty high, but we can break
down this example into two components: 

1. That I meet someone taller than me

2. that I meet someone at all today

I am 5’7″ tall, so the probability that someone I meet today will be
taller than me = 1/2 (50%).

I live in a city of roughly 200,000 people. The probability that I meet

someone at all today = ~1/200,000 (0.00005). The probability of
meeting someone who is taller than me today = 1/2 (50%) X
1/200,000 (0.00005) ≈ 0.00000025 or 0.00000025%.

Jonathan Tian
 Co-Founder, Mobitrix

Tossing a coin in cricket game

Before starting any cricket match, a toss is done by the referee
between the opposing teams. The toss-winning squad got the chance
of choosing batting or bowling. They can choose batting or bowling as
per their desire.

Although coins only have two faces, head or tail, and both have 1 out
of 2 chances of coming, there is a 50% probability of both teams
winning the toss.

Winning the lottery

Lottery tickets are one of the most remarkable examples of probability.
Suppose we have to choose a number which is the same six-digit
number, written on the winning ticket. So, there exists only one chance
out of 1 lakh of getting the same number.

Predicting the weather

Probability is the most binding domain of weather forecasting. Based
on previous analysis, meteorologists predict future conditions like 70%
rain in any area, 10cm rain in any area, or many more. However, the
whole weather forecast is 40% depending on probability.

These predictions are sometimes very accurate and sometimes

are entirely contradictory. Meteorologists also predict the danger of
natural disasters; only the difference is that different domains are
considered in weather forecasting and natural disaster prediction.

Roger Huang
 Growth Director, Springboard

Getting heads on a coin toss

One of the easiest examples of probability is a simple coin toss where
you have a coin with only two sides, one of which is heads. If you flip
the coin, then there are two main ways this can play out — it comes
up tail, or it comes up heads. 

When we talk about the probability of getting heads on a single coin

toss, what exactly are we saying? We are asking how likely we think it
is that we get heads when we flip a coin.

Since we know the only possible outcomes of a single coin toss are
either heads or tails, each result must carry some probability. In other
words, the probability of getting heads on a single coin toss = 1/2
(50%)

Leanna Serras

Chief Customer Officer, FragranceX

Spotting and solving problems in eCommerce
marketing
I work in eCommerce marketing, and I love to collect data about our
business and use it to calculate probabilities that can help
us improve our marketing strategies. 

For example, our data shows us that there is a probability of 53.47%

that a customer will abandon a shopping cart before checkout. To
address this, we have an email campaign that automatically follows up
on abandoned carts. 

The probability of these follow-up emails being opened is 47.03%,

much higher than the 21% probability an average email is opened.

Therefore, by calculating probabilities, we can spot a problem and

identify the best way of resolving it.

Nick Edwards

Director, Snow Finders

Having an insurance plan

Probability aids in determining the appropriate insurance plan for you
and your family. For example, if you are a heavy smoker, your chances
of developing lung illness are higher.
So, instead of choosing an insurance plan for your car or home, you
should consider health insurance first because the chances of
becoming ill are higher.

People nowadays, for example, get insurance for their mobile phones
since they are aware that the odds of their phones being destroyed or
lost are considerable, I believe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is probability and why is it important?
Probability is the likelihood or chance of an event occurring. It is
important in real life because we encounter uncertain situations all the
time and need to make decisions based on the likelihood of different
outcomes.

For example, when deciding whether to buy insurance, invest in the

stock market, or play a game of chance, understanding probability can
help us make more informed choices.

Is probability always accurate?

No, probability is not always accurate. It is a prediction based on
statistical analysis, and there is always a chance that the actual
outcome will differ from the predicted outcome.

For example, if the probability of rain is 80%, there is still a 20%

chance that it won’t rain. However, understanding probability can still
help us make more informed decisions, even if there is some
uncertainty involved.
 How can we use probability to make decisions in
everyday life?
We can use probability to make decisions in everyday life by assessing
the likelihood of different outcomes and weighing the risks and
benefits of different options.

For example, if we are considering taking a new job, we can calculate

the probability of success by considering factors such as:
• The company’s financial stability
• The job market for our skills
• The potential for career advancement

We can then compare this probability to the potential risks, such as a

long commute or a less flexible schedule. By using probability to
inform our decision-making, we can make more informed choices that
are based on data and analysis, rather than intuition or emotion.

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 The Editors

EDUCATION | MOTIVATIONAL | PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION

How to Deal with Academic

Failure
By The Editors
Updated on March 15, 2023
The prospect of academic failure can be daunting for many students,
but it does not have to hold you back.

According to experts, there are different ways to deal with failure and
improve academic performance to get back on track for future
success.

Here are their insights:

John F. Tholen, PhD

 Retired Psychologist | Author, “Focused Positivity: The Path to
Success and Peace of Mind“

Shift the focus of your attention to a more

functional thought
Finding a constructive mindset is the key to rebounding from
adversity, including failing to fulfill our academic hopes. Although we
may initially be too distressed to appreciate any “positive spin,” once
we can face the future again, our success will likely depend on finding
an optimistic perspective.

Related: What are the Benefits of Positive Thinking?

Success and peace of mind are most likely to come our way when we
practice focused positivity.

Although it seems that our emotional reactions and motivation result

from the events and circumstances we encounter, they are caused
instead by our self-talk — the monologue streams through every
waking moment, interpreting our every experience and establishing
our perspective.

Our automatic thoughts can work against us:

Which thoughts spontaneously come into our minds is the result of
factors outside  our control — an interaction between
our genetics and experience.

When we have been left cynical about life or excessively self-critical,

our spontaneous thoughts are often dysfunctional  — causing distress
without inspiring constructive action.

And when dysfunctional beliefs are allowed to dominate our attention,

they pervade our self-talk and cause emotional distress and self-doubt
—even though they are almost always incomplete, unreasonable, or
completely wrong.

We will recover best from academic disappointment if we can employ

the closest thing we have to a “superpower” — our ability to shift the
focus of our attention to a more functional thought, one likely to
inspire hope and generate motivation.

This is the focused positivity strategy:

1. Becoming mindful of our thoughts – recording and examining

the ideas that occupy our minds when we feel discouraged,

2. Identifying dysfunctional thoughts – those that cause distress

without inspiring constructive action — that have become the
focus of our attention,

3. Constructing more reasonable, balanced, and functional

alternatives that tend to inspire hope and self-assertion, and

4. Systematically refocusing our attention away from the

dysfunctional thoughts and toward the functional alternatives.
Notwithstanding the “sticks and stones” saying, words can hurt us
when ominous forecasts or self-disparagements arise spontaneously
from within and are left unchallenged.

Changing how we think:

Cognitive therapy (CT) is a psychological treatment approach that is

“evidence-based.”

A review of 325 different research studies involving more than 9000

subjects found CT to be effective in treating depression (adult and
adolescent), anxiety disorder, and social phobia (David, D. et al., “Why
Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy Is the Gold Standard of
Psychotherapy,” Frontiers of Psychiatry, January 2018).

A significant part of the benefit results from a change of thought or

perspective whenever psychotherapy helps — whether
it’s psychoanalysis, desensitization, or assertiveness training.

CT works because it is the most efficient method of challenging our

dysfunctional thoughts, and the most  efficient form of CT is the
focused positivity strategy.

Functional thoughts that can help following academic

failure
When we encounter what seems the demise of our academic hopes,
our resilience is likely to benefit from refocusing our attention on
functional thoughts such as:

 “Academic success is far from the only path to success and

happiness.”
  “Many people who later achieved great success first encountered
academic failure.”

 (e.g., Walt Disney, John Lennon, Albert Einstein, Winston

Churchill, Thomas Edison, Pablo Picasso, Richard Branson, etc.)

 “If I look at the “big picture” of my life, this disappointment won’t

hold me back.”

 “If I consider this unwanted result as just a learning experience

that can help guide my actions moving forward, I’ll be able to
persist until I find ‘success.'”

 “Every outcome that allows me to move forward is a ‘success’—no

matter how disappointing it may initially be.”

 “There are no failures, only discoveries.”

Karen Southall Watts

Instructor of Humanities and Success Skills, Bellingham Technical

College | Author, “The Solo Workday“

Focus on learning and not on grades

Make the occasional failures part of your mental
norms
This is a tricky one because students tend to get caught up in grades,
often because they are in competitive programs or fields. Yet focusing
only on how to “make an A” can mean a student misses out on key
learning objectives that eventually lead to the bad grade they were
hoping to avoid.

Pay attention to those course objective statements; they matter. Ask

your instructor to tell you how lessons apply in the real world. Take on
the growth mindset discussed by Dr. Carol Dweck, and make learning
and the occasional failures part of your mental norms.

Build and use a personal support network

When you do get a bad grade, it’s important to have someone to talk
to (in addition to your instructor).

Build a network of family, friends, tutors, and advisers who are all

interested in your success and who will encourage you when you’re
down. These people can remind you of your long-term goals when
things get tough and jog your memory about all the times in the past
when you were successful.

Related: How to Build a Personal and Family Support System

Dissect and diagnose what went wrong

Don’t just cry over a bad grade. Create new habits and systems based
on what you learned from this particular failure.

Talk to your instructor and tutors to find out exactly where you
went wrong. If your instructor hasn’t given you specific feedback, ask
for it. Make sure you utilize posted office hours or ask for an
appointment, and come prepared with your problem assignment or
test and questions on how you might improve.

Reevaluate if things don’t improve

If you continue to have problems in the same course, it might be time
to  change sections—not every teacher is a perfect match for each
student. Perhaps repeated failure in one area is a signal to either get
some intense remediation help or change directions in your
educational plans.

Academic failure, especially when a student has been working

diligently, can also mean an undiagnosed learning issue in play. A
simple change like extended test times or recording lectures can make
all the difference.

Talk to the accessibilities department on campus to see if you are

entitled to learning modifications.

Sam Nabil

CEO and Lead Therapist, Naya Clinics

Learn from that failure and know how to pick

yourself up and try again
Academic failure happens due to several reasons, with the most
common ones being fear of failure, fear of success, lack of preparation,
laziness, and lack of motivation. In order to overcome this, there are
certain mindsets that students can adopt, plus habits that can create
to be able to reach success.

Here are some tips to overcome academic failure:

Be compassionate to yourself
It’s only natural  to feel bad when you fail at something, but you also
have to remember that everyone makes mistakes and that you can
always redirect  whenever you find yourself on the wrong path.

There’s no point in beating yourself up, but there are lessons to be

learned in recognizing why you have failed. You have to process that
failure and allow yourself to heal from that experience. When you
regain your confidence, you can come back with a fresh approach.

Related: How To Stop Beating Yourself Up

Accept that failure is a part of life

It may sound contradictory, but the only way to avoid failure is to
actually embrace  it. Once you have fully accepted your academic
failure, you will have an easier time dealing with failure in general.

If you keep in mind that failure is an absolute part of the pursuit of

success, you will feel less bad about it. The key is learning from that
failure and knowing how to pick yourself up and try again.

Train yourself to become resilient

When you adopt a resilience mindset, you will learn  from your failures
and continue to push yourself towards your goals. It comes from
understanding that failure is a part of life, but it shouldn’t
stop you  from trying again.

Being willing to learn from your mistakes is necessary for

becoming resilient. Despite all, you know that you can come up with
a solution and move forward with your goals.

Mike Tenney

Head of School, The Tenney School

Students should have a path to recover

following failure
Build a recovery plan
Our overriding recommendation to families is to build a plan for
recovery over time. It is better for the student to have a path to
recover following failure and graduate with peers.

Young students (Kindergarten/1st grade) may recover from the

negative feedback of repeating a grade, but older  students who are
forced to repeat a grade will develop long-term confidence issues.
You are also more likely to see a repeat of the poor habits which
caused the academic failure in the first place.
A recovery plan will include summer courses and perhaps additional
courses during the school year.

Academic recovery for high school students is more

complicated
Graduation requirements vary by state and school, but all will require a
certain number of credits to earn a high school diploma.

In the US, our official record starts in 9th grade. This means academic
recovery following failure is more complicated for high school
students. Not only do students need to understand the educational
content for the year, but they will also need to find a way to earn the
credits missed.

Because elementary and middle school classes do not go on a

student’s final record, recovery from failure in these grades is less
complicated.

Consider a change of schools

Schools must have consequences. A change of school may be just
what’s needed to put aside bad habits and turn over a new leaf.

In addition, students may not be allowed to pursue a recovery plan

versus being required to repeat the grade if they stay at the same
school. Requiring a student to repeat a grade is the ultimate
consequence.

Amy Launder
 Intersubjective Psychotherapist, The Awareness Centre

Accept that there is more to who we are than

someone good at school
Academic failure can be tough to deal with as academia is tied into
your identity and/or if you grew up hearing how clever you were and
how good you were at school, and so on.

One method we can use to deal with academic failure can be to look
at our explanatory styles.

Our explanatory style is the way that we explain to ourselves what has
happened to us or what is happening to us. There are three
dimensions that make up our explanatory style, and our style can
differ depending on what we are trying to explain.

It’s important to note that this generally happens without consciously

thinking about it, but that once we notice it, we can choose to alter
our explanatory style.

The first dimension: Personalisation

 Do we believe that the academic failure was our fault, or

 Do we believe that external factors played a role?

For example:
 1. Did we not study enough?

2. Did the test ask us about something that the teacher didn’t
cover?

3. Did we not sleep enough the night before?

4. Did someone interrupt the exam and distract everyone?

This is looking at whether we place blame internally or externally.

The second dimension: Pervasiveness

This is looking at whether what’s happened is specific to one area of

life or whether it pervades our entire world.

For example, do we believe that failing one test will change our entire
lives for the worse? Or can we compartmentalize this failure to this
one area of our lives (perhaps even to this one test) and recognize that
other parts of our lives are unaltered – our family still loves us, our
friends still want to hang out with us, and so on.

This is about separating academia from our identity and accepting

that there is more to us than someone good at school. We are multi-
faceted, and academia is only one part of who we are.

The third and final dimension: Permanence

It looks at how temporary or permanent the problem is.

 Do we believe that the failure will follow us around for the rest of
our lives?

 Do we believe that we can overcome it?

Perhaps we can re-take the test, access academic support, or hand in
extra credit work, or we don’t need to do any of those things and
accept that other tests, exams, and coursework will bolster our overall
academic outcome.

Daniel Santos

CEO, Prepory

Remind yourself that no academic failure

affects your true worthiness
There are three main ways to think about and deal with academic
failure. Failure can mean defeat, it can bring a challenge, or it can
expose an opportunity.

Failure as defeat
This is the most common reaction to academic failure: the feeling of
being defeated. It can be saddening, maddening, or downright
disappointing to fail in an academic setting.

Unlike some other types of life failure, academic failures can be

especially public. If you don’t get that salutatorian spot you’ve been
eyeing, other people will know it. If you don’t pass the bar exam,
people in your life will ask and find out.
If you don’t get into the dream college you’ve been raving about,
you’ll need to break the news. That means avoiding the feeling of
defeat that your social life reminds you of – subtly or overtly – can be
nearly impossible! Confronting the sense of defeat, and being seen
publicly as defeated,  can hurt.

The best way to overcome this feeling is self-compassion. That is,

allow yourself to feel the hurt, acknowledge its validity, and remind
yourself that no academic failure affects your  true worthiness.

Failure as a challenge
Every year, at least thousands of first-year college students fail to live
up to their expectations in the notorious introductory biology,
chemistry, and physics classes that serve to “weed out” pre-med
students.

Sometimes, that failure is a challenge.

Can you work harder and do better? Are you willing and able to put in
more energy, attention, and commitment and try again?

Related: 4 Best Ways for College Students to Prepare for the Future

Failure as an opportunity
The other side of pre-med students who experience academic failure is
the experience of liberation or opportunity. In this example, some
students may come to terms with their passions, strengths, and
weaknesses.
Maybe your parents want you to be a surgeon, and that influence
dictated your decision-making, but your private wish to yourself has
been to become a film producer or a diplomat.

Sometimes, academic failure validates that the path you’re on

isn’t the path in which you want to invest your life.

In this experience, academic failure can be an opportunity

for rethinking  your choices, reinventing  yourself,
and welcoming  change.

Iqbal Ahmad

Founder and CEO, Britannia School of Academics

Understand that failures are important

experiences
As much as I love to see my students achieve their desired results, it is
inevitable that students will fail to do so at times. Below, I will shed
some light on what I preach to my students in this situation.

The importance of experience

One must get the context right to make informed and fruitful
decisions in life. No one wants to fail, no matter how small or
insignificant the task, but the fact of the matter is that we all  fail
sometimes. Understanding that failures are important experiences is
the first step to dealing with failure.

Most of what we learn in our lives is from failures and not success. The
ability to learn from our failures is a lifelong  skill, and it’s not such a
bad thing that we develop this skill as part of our educational journey.

Avoiding negativity
I cannot agree more with Charles Swindoll’s saying that “Life is 10%
what happens to you and 90% how you react.” Nothing can change the
fact that you have already failed to achieve your desired academic
results, but your response to this outcome is all within your control.

For instance, rather than panicking and allowing your confidence to be

undermined, focus on what went wrong and how you can change that
moving forward.

Similarly, it may be worth reviewing the company you keep when

you are feeling low about the situation; are they the type of people
who will only consider the negatives in life rather than striving to make
the adjustments necessary for improvement?

You need to find a company of individuals who will inspire you to

create an effective line of action to come out of the situation.

Not losing hope

Do not forget that there are situations where your grades can
be open  for consideration. For example, all universities have appeals
procedures to request a review of your grades.
Furthermore, your university might have a procedure in place to
submit a request for exceptional treatment based on extenuating
circumstances, though it is usually required that such a request is
submitted before the grades are announced.

Other options might include taking extra credits, resubmitting the

work after changes, etc. Therefore, it’s always worth speaking to your
course supervisor or the student union to explore your options.

Knowing when to make important decisions

The poorest of the decisions made in our lives occur when we are in a
fragile state of mind. If you have failed to achieve your desired
academic results, the chances are that you are very sad or
disappointed.

You may be tempted to make an irrational decision, like quitting your

course or even changing careers. You must not  decide in that state of
mind, or else you will almost certainly regret it later in your life.

Take some time off and allow yourself time to get over your
emotions.

When you feel relatively better and mentally stronger, consult

someone you can trust to plan your next actions, such as arranging
a resit.

Laura Fragomeni, Ed.M.

Founder and Principal Academic Coach, School Without Suffering

Focus on learning specific set of skills to give

your best performance
Suppose you’ve experienced academic failure, be it a low score on an
exam or an overall failing grade in a course. In that case, you know the
disappointment, anxiety, and even depression that can come along
with it. And it’s incredibly hard not to feel that way.

Since we are five or younger, when we enter the school system, we

learn that doing well in school makes us good and worthy of praise,
and having a bad performance is a problem that we should avoid at all
costs.

And with all of the rhetoric about how higher education is more
competitive than ever these days and students must excel in school
(i.e. get good grades) in order to do well in life, it’s no wonder the
experience of academic failure can affect us so heavily.

So what should we do with these very understandable feelings about

failing grades, that if not kept in check have the power to derail our
academic progress?

As hard as it is, the answer is to do your best to manage  your stress

about the low grades so you can divert  your focus to understand what
exactly it is about the task of going to school (which is really
thousands of tasks) that is causing the performance issues.

Then, the energy that was once fueling the grades’ anxiety can be
funneled into solving those problems.

A real-life example:

No one illustrates the power of “letting go” to bring your grades up

than a student who’s been working with us at our school for months
now, since about the middle of the Fall semester of his Junior year.

When I asked this student during our first meeting what he wanted to
get out of working with us, he said, “I’m not too concerned about
grades, more wanting to change mindset because carrying over to
everything in life.”

That answer opened the door for us to teach him the skills he
really needed  to succeed. As I got to know him, I learned that he cared
deeply about how his grades and, by extension, how others perceived
him. But, he was open to understanding that his perceptions based on
his grades were not real and, therefore, not what actually mattered.

It freed up his mind space to learn:

 Strategies for planning out his work and managing his time.

 so that he could complete missed assignments and turn in all

subsequent assignments on time

 Strategies for reading.

 so that he truly understood the complex texts he was assigned

to read
By the end of the semester, he managed to get his grades up to Bs—
not easy to do when you’re starting from failing with only half a
semester to go! He’s now beginning the semester ahead  in all of his
classes, and he’s feeling incredible.

Of course, getting here was not a linear or an anxiety-free process.

But, everyone, including the student, saw changes start to happen
immediately. The student and his parents were also getting in-
depth knowledge about what exactly had been causing the student to
fail, which allowed them to trust and let go even more.

And that little bit of room allowed the student to focus less of his
energy on stress about grades and more on learning the specific set of
skills he needed to give his best performance in school. And as you
can imagine, everyone in the house is now feeling much less anxious
about grades.

Joy Gandell, MScA, ACC

Parenting & Learning Coach, SETA Coaching & Training

Take what you learned and apply it in the

future to make progress
Academic failure sounds so finite. It sounds like all hope is lost. Is it?
Who defined this as a failure? Society? Our culture? The school? Our
parents?
What if we re-defined this experience as a form of communication? As
an opportunity to learn something about ourselves and take what we
have learned and apply it in the future to make progress?

Before we can look at this experience with curiosity, we must first

process our related emotions.

We do this by identifying the emotions we are feeling:

affront, aggravation, anger, anguish, annoyance, anxiety, apathetic,

baffled, bewildered, blame, dejection, denial, depression, despair,
despondence, devastation, disappointment, disgust, dismay, doubt,
dread, exhaustion, frustration, gravity, grief, grimness, hopelessness,
horror, humiliation, incredulousness, indifference, indignation,
irritability, melancholy, misery, mortification, perplexity, pessimism,
rage, rancor, remorse, resignation, sorrow, surrender, and uncertainty
We can experience one or many of these emotions at once.
Understanding what each of these emotions means and identifying
the ones that apply to our situation is the first  step in moving forward.

Identifying the emotions applicable to our situation will help us

understand the message these emotions are sending us. Only then will
we determine how to move that emotion through our minds and
bodies; we experience emotions in our minds and our bodies.

Processing emotions gives us the ability to use our thinking brains to

make the best  decision for moving forward. We want to understand
what message this setback (as opposed to failure) is sending us.

We have to reflect on the questions we must ask ourselves to

understand them. Potential questions you can ask yourself are:
 1. What were my life’s conditions that could have contributed to
this setback?

2. Do I struggle with executive function issues without the proper

support in place?

3. Do I feel safe and secure in this academic environment?

4. What self-regulation issues might I identify?

5. Do I even enjoy/find the subject matter stimulating?

6. How could I have identified a benefit I could have received from

the academic experience to help me stay engaged with the
content?

7. What other questions can you ask yourself about your academic
experience that could have led to this result?

Identifying the conditions that led to the setback is meaningful

learning so that you can take the appropriate action from now on. Life
is a journey and a process of continuous learning and growth.

Throughout our lives, there will always be setbacks. How we cope and
learn from them will determine our resilience. We all have the
capability of being resilient; we have to strengthen it like a muscle.

Nekia Wright, M.Ed.

 Special Education Teacher | Owner and Founder, Ujamaa

We don’t need to measure ourselves against

other’s achievements
I’ve been a special education teacher for more than 13 years and have
had to coach many students through feelings of academic failure,
specifically regarding standardized tests that all students take even if
they are performing well below grade level.

My students receive extra accommodations like having a teacher read

aloud the test items, spare time, etc. Even with the most
accommodations, many of these tests are not  appropriate.

It is absolutely heartbreaking to watch a child who you’ve seen work

hard throughout a year. They’ve increased by two grade levels in their
reading skills but are still reading at a second-grade level to take a test
written for sixth graders.

Environmental factors make it difficult for many students to get to

school on time or even at all.

Every three years, any child with an IEP receives a full triennial
assessment with a psychologist and education specialist. I get plenty
of valuable information through my formal and informal assessments
of the students throughout the year, so the standardized tests are
unnecessary from a data collection point of view.

Yet so often, I would be sitting in a room with a child who was working
incredibly hard for an entire year and surpassed the individualized
education goals we had set as a team. I watch them suffer through an
assessment that completely shifts how they think about themselves
and their academic achievements.
At the beginning of the year, I share with my students the truth  about
the public education system, that:

 It is a work in progress,

 Many teachers are trying their best to figure out how to

transform schools into a place where every child can thrive,

 Students have a role in this, too.

We need engagement and feedback to hear their ideas and
constructive criticism on what’s not working. I could not let these tests
shatter my student’s self-esteem.

The people who made the rules and laws did not consider the needs
of children like them. So, I explained to them about the standardized
test ahead of time.

1. I told them that it’s something that everyone has to take, even
though I didn’t think it was fair.

2. I shared some basic test-taking strategies, and we practiced

some breathing exercises.

3. I explained that there’s probably going to be many things on

that test that they don’t understand.

4. I tell them to try their best but not focus too hard on the things
that don’t make sense.

5. Just keep moving through the test.

6. Before we would take any standardized test, I would have them

review all the hard work they’ve done.
As a special education teacher, we keep track of each academic &
socio-emotional growth of the individual students on our caseloads.
Discuss how hard it is to grow two grade levels in reading in one year.

We explore how we need others to inspire and motivate us, but we

don’t need to measure ourselves against other people’s achievements.

I reinforce how important it is to set your own goals, plan how to

achieve that goal, and put in the work to make it happen. We talk
about how to measure our progress and celebrate successes.

Sometimes, I share my skiing story: I’d been going through a difficult

time, and a friend offered me a free ski trip. I almost said no because I
felt so unsuccessful at life that I didn’t think I could take another
failure. Then, I decided that I would make the best of it.

So I went with them. On the first slope, my friends all took off, and I
just toppled down the hill over and over. I told my friends to keep
going, that I would figure it out. Eventually, I was able to get my
balance and would just completely relax each time I started to take a
plunge.

After a couple of falls, people behind me started applauding. At first, I

thought they were making fun of me until “That’s the most graceful
and beautiful fall I’ve ever seen!” a stranger yells.

Just remember that it’s all a part of the journey.

Dr. Stacy Haynes, Ed.D., LPC, ACS

 Licensed Therapist | Owner, Little Hands Family Services

A great method to deal with academic failure is

called Collaborative and Proactive Solutions
(CPS)
This was created by Dr. Ross Greene and described in his best-selling
books Lost at School and The Explosive Child, highlighted in the
documentary The Kids We Lose.

With academic failure, we would have a Plan B problem-solving

conversation with the student to figure out what is making it difficult
for the student to complete the work.

For example, if they are failing math, we might ask, “I noticed you have
difficulty completing your math homework.“

1. Empathy Step. We listen to the kid’s concerns and learn about

their concerns.

2. Adult Concern Step. We would state our concerns about the

student failing math

3. Invitation Step. We would invite the student to problem solve a

solution together.
This approach is being trained in schools around the world and is
evidence-based to be effective in helping students improve
academically.

As a clinician, trainer for CPS, and a mom who uses it at home, this

method is a great preventive measure for students with academic
difficulties.

Jeff Mains

CEO, Champion Leadership Group LLC

Identify the things you can and cannot manage

The academic environment may be stressful, whether you’re entering
college for the first time or in your last semesters, attempting to make
it through to graduation without falling behind.

Financial independence, establishing new acquaintances, and figuring

out your life’s path may all be intimidating new challenges to face.
Numerous students find it challenging to adapt to living away from
home atop the pressure to succeed academically.

However, you must not allow academic failure to harm your

relationships, lower your self-esteem, or lead you to develop more
significant mental health issues such as despair and anxiety.
Here are ways how to deal with academic failure:

Make an effort to be competent, even in minor things

Identifying the things you can and cannot manage might be essential
amid apparently overwhelming challenges. You may not be able to
influence a professor’s mark on your essay, but you can control how
you respond to the comments you do get about your work.

Moreover, students living on their own for the first time may find it
challenging to learn essential life skills such as cooking, cleaning, and
maintaining a vehicle. It is also true that kids spend less time
cultivating their social skills due to growing up in an era of endless
distractions.

Your self-esteem and confidence will rise if you can take care of
yourself, your loved ones, and your assets with respect. It’s a good
idea to spend some time learning these primary talents from your
family or acquaintances.

It’s much easier to acquire these foundational life skills now when so
many helpful tools are accessible on the internet.

Take some time out to reflect

While it may be tempting to rush through college (mainly if it means
saving money), stressed-out college students occasionally need to
take a step back and take a deep breath. Rather than a full-time
schedule, consider taking one or two courses less often.

An excellent way to save money while still earning course credit is to

speak with guidance counselors about possible internship possibilities.
There is no guilt in taking a little longer for those who want to
broaden their views and broaden their experiences by delaying their
graduation.

Deborah Ann Spence, CRS, e-PRO, GREEN, RENE

Broker, Fierce Realty Corp

I said, “this can’t be my life,” and just like that,

it wasn’t
I was a terrible student in elementary, middle, high school, and
college. So yes, how did I get to college as a bad student?

The beginning

Well, I received a scholarship that designated inner-cities kids with

some potential to attend Hofstra University. It was an experiment to
see if you could bring poor kids with poor grades and transform them
into good students if they had mentorship, coaching, and a new
environment.

But it didn’t work. Not in the beginning initially for me. Not for
another twenty-five years.

The middle
I believe my struggle with school started very early in elementary
school for two reasons. One reason was the material used (1970’s) to
teach. As a poor African American child, I could not connect. I didn’t
see myself in the material, and it wasn’t apparent.

The second reason was the weird things going on in my household. I

was dealing with severe trauma at home, poverty, and hunger.

At school, I’m thinking about how to survive, when I will eat again, and
not about multiplication or any of those early skillsets needed to
create a solid educational foundation. The bottom line is life was
brutal, and I am amazed that I survived it all.

In college, my life became worse. I suffered the early signs of a

debilitating mental illness, and getting through school was extremely
difficult. I was thrown out of college at one point because of my
undiagnosed symptoms.

But eventually, I graduated with the lowest GPA of 2.0 that anyone can
have to graduate. After college, I struggled for the next 25 years with
menial jobs, failed attempts at self-employment, and many psych ward
hospital stays.

The shift

The mental shift happened during one of my hospital stays.

I said, “this can’t be my life,” and just like that, it wasn’t.

I slowly pulled myself out of despair and into hope and healing. I got
better with medication. I started a career in Real Estate. I knocked it
out of the park my first year in Real Estate by listing over 63 homes.
Three years later, I studied and took the Broker Exam and became a
Real Estate Broker/Owner. Since then, I’ve taken several classes,
certifications and recently passed the four-hour exam to become a
Project Manager.

I write articles and books. I teach and train other Real Estate Agents. I
created an app for Real Estate Training. I am a local elected official. I
serve on several not-for-profit boards. I am currently studying for the
Uniform CPA exam. I am on fire!

I did it all by making a mental shift.

I told myself I could do it. And, that, along with a lot of grit, is how
to overcome  failure.

Claire Westbrook

Founder, LSAT Prep Hero

Academic failure is an obstacle you can learn

from and grow from
It’s important to remember that failure is not  permanent, and it’s not
indicative of your overall worth as a person. It’s simply an event, an
obstacle you can learn from and grow from.
Here are the prompts I provide to students on how to deal with
academic failure:

Acknowledge your feelings and give yourself time to grieve

The initial reaction to any failure is usually shock, disbelief, and

sadness. It’s natural to feel all of these things, so give yourself some
time to process them. Don’t try to bottle them up or ignore them –
that will only make things worse in the long run.

Talk to your professor or advisor

They may be able to help you understand why you failed, and they
may be able to suggest ways that you can improve your grades in the
future.

Make the necessary changes to get better:

1. Take a look at your study habits and see where you might be
falling short.

 Do you have trouble staying focused?

 Are some days worse than others for studying?

 Be honest with yourself.

2. Consider changing your study environment by figuring out

what level of stimulation you require for optimal studying.

 Some people prefer pin-drop silence, while others do better in

a busy coffee shop.

 Test yourself to see how well you retain  information after

studying in different environments.
 3. Ask yourself if there is anything else going on in life other
than academics that could be affecting how well you’re
doing in school.

 I’ve seen students struggle with everything from balancing

multiple jobs, to having family and relationship issues, to
having substance abuse issues.
Remember that you  have a limited capacity and need to prioritize
what’s most important to you at this time in your life.

Jessica Bonner, MA, MS, CCC-SLP

Founder and Owner, For Other Prizes Consulting

Take the time to acknowledge feelings

I recall feeling both angry and frustrated when I realized the
seriousness of my situation, especially given that none of the other
students in my cohort were dealing with the same problem.

Though acknowledging feelings may seem counterproductive,

taking the time to do so allows students to simply be human in a
time of great pressure.

Too often, students encounter roadblocks during their academic

journey that may lead them to believe that their current academic
program is not  for them. The reality may just be that the present load
may be too much, especially if students are also handling
nonacademic issues (e.g., home events).

Taking the time to acknowledge feelings such as

disappointment may  help students approach the issue with more
reason since contributing factors can become more evident during the
acknowledgment period.

Consider available options

Since I knew I did not want my future to be ruled by my failure in

graduate school, I considered the options available at the time.

Flunking out was an option I refused to believe.

Upon talking with program advisors, I learned that I could withdraw

from my two weakest courses and continue with the remaining two
courses and my clinicals. I would retake the dropped courses the
following fall semester. While I wasn’t a fan of this option, it worked
best for me at that time.

Whether students face failure in the future or have already failed, they
should prioritize looking into options that can prove beneficial in the
future.

For instance, students on the verge of failing can chat with their
instructors regarding weaknesses and how to best bring up the
grades. If bringing up the grades by the end of the term seems
unlikely, then withdrawing from and retaking  courses also serves as an
option.

For students who have failed, I recommend meeting with instructors

and advisors to learn the next best steps. Often, one of the steps
includes retaking failed courses. Instructors and/or advisors may be
able to determine when retaking the courses would be most helpful,
assuming specific courses are offered more than one semester per
school year.

Also, advisors are specifically known for helping students create

a manageable academic schedule each semester, so students
should take  advantage.

Visit the Counselor

I personally visited one of the university counselors at least once a

month while in graduate school. As I faced home and academic issues,
speaking with a professional helped me tremendously. Honestly, if I
had not spoken to the counselor, I most likely would never have
finished my program.

If students find themselves feeling hopeless due to academic failure,

talking it out with a professional can allow students to vent in an
environment where they do not feel judged.

After taking advantage of these services for some time,  students may
feel more empowered when handling failure and approaching their
academics in such a way that they are much more likely to come out
winning.

Rohit Bimbra
 Founder and CEO, Home Health Care Shoppe

See it as an opportunity to pivot

One of the ways someone can recover from academic failure is to
understand that the world offers so much more opportunities
for developing a fulfilling career, even if you don’t have a degree to
flash around.

If you take a look at some of the most successful entrepreneurs, you’ll

find that many of them have dropped out of school at some point. I’m
not saying that they were successful because they dropped out or that
you should drop out to be successful. It’s how they bounced  back
that’s important.

They didn’t see their academic failure as the end  of it all.

Instead, they saw it as an opportunity to pivot. So, if you’re dealing

with academic failure right now, don’t despair. Sometimes, we need to
fail at something that’s not meant for us so that we can find what is.

Stephen Light
 Co-Owner and Chief Marketing Officer, Nolah Mattress

Practice healthy coping mechanisms that make

you feel calm
As with any failure, stress, or difficult times, practice healthy  coping
mechanisms that make you feel happy, worthy, and calm.

This looks different for everybody, but things like sports, yoga, writing,
painting, meditation, biking, and more can help you step outside the
moment and process failure and the feelings that come with it in a
healthy way.

Academic failure can put a lot of stress on your mind and body, and a
healthy outlet can help relieve the pressure and remind you that
you’re worth more than this one instance of failure.

Isaac Robertson

Co-Founder, Total Shape
Change your mindset about failures
We are the ones who define our failures, so the decision of labeling
something as a ‘failure‘ lies in our own hands. Do you want to learn
new things from your failures or just get stuck in the corner with a
heart full of regrets about your failure?

Obviously, we all want to get up, but the dejection we feel during our
failures makes us think that the whole world has crashed down.

But don’t believe in your temporary feelings and thoughts,

however painful it can be.

Believe in yourself that your failures don’t define you, and a single

failure doesn’t mean successive failures. Develop a growth mindset
where you can see doors to opportunities even if one of the doors
gets closed.

Having a fixed mindset makes you think that there is only one door
available in this whole world. So, define failures as ‘lessons for next
success‘ in your mind for dealing with temporary setbacks.

Craig Miller

Co-Founder, Academia Labs LLC

It is important to take a step back and assess
your options
Academic failure doesn’t happen in one day; it is a culmination of
previous activities and decisions that you have made in the past. That
is why it is essential to take a step back and re-assess what your next
steps should be.

It is possible that you will continue with your current path and achieve
your goal, but another option will be to travel another track that you
may be better at.

Academic failure may be the last straw you are waiting for or the sign
you have been waiting to take on a different route.
Hence,  identify your losses and possible gains and choose the best
option for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes students to fall behind academically?
It’s a complex issue with no single answer, but let’s dive in and take a
closer look!

For starters, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: distractions. We

live in a world that’s filled with distractions, from social media to video
games, and it can be tough for students to stay focused on their
studies. When students get caught up in the cycle of procrastination
and distraction, it’s easy for them to fall behind.

Next up, we have a lack of motivation. When students don’t see the
relevance of what they’re learning, it can be tough for them to stay
engaged and motivated. This can be particularly true for students who
are struggling with their mental health or who are dealing with other
personal challenges.

Another factor that can contribute to students falling behind is a lack
of support from their teachers and parents. When students don’t
have someone in their corner who believes in them and is willing to
help them succeed, it can be tough for them to stay motivated and on
track.

Finally, let’s talk about differences in learning styles. Some students

are visual learners, some are auditory learners, and some are
kinesthetic learners. When students don’t have access to teaching that
aligns with their learning style, it can be tough for them to fully grasp
the material and stay on track.

How do I get my academic mindset back?

Here are a few tips that might get you back into the academic zone:

• Get organized: Make a to-do list, prioritize your tasks, and create a
schedule for yourself. This will help you stay on track and feel more in
control.

• Take breaks: It’s important to step away from your work every now
and then. Go for a walk, read a book, or do something you enjoy. This
will help you recharge and return to your work with a fresh
perspective.

• Surround yourself with inspiration: Surround yourself with things

that motivate you. This could be a photo of your graduation, a quote
that resonates with you, or a vision board of your goals.
 • Connect with others: Reach out to friends, classmates, or mentors
who have been through a similar experience. Talking to others who
understand can be incredibly helpful.
Practice self-care: Make sure to take care of yourself, both physically
and mentally. Exercise, eat well, and get enough sleep.

Remember, getting your academic mindset back is a process, and it

may take time. But with a little effort and patience, you’ll be back to
your old self in no time!

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The Editors
PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION | MENTAL HEALTH | PSYCHOLOGY

How to Improve Your

Personality
By The Editors
Updated on March 27, 2023
Personality is an essential component of who we are, and it is often
what distinguishes one individual from another. Given how much
influence our personality has on our lives, it can either drive or inhibit
progress.

The following are expert-recommended methods for improving your

personality to be more successful in your personal life and business:

Dena DiNardo, Psy.D., LMFT

Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Changing one’s personality is hard to do. The truth of the matter is— a
total overhaul is highly unlikely. What’s more likely and sustainably are
significant adjustments. Significant adjustments can  maintain the best
of who you are, while at the same time – evolving the worst of who
you are.

This leaves you in a much better position for yourself and your
relationships.

Cognitive behavior or psychodynamic?

The most significant difference between Psychologists who

study Cognitive Behavior Therapy and those who study Psychodynamic
Therapy happens to be the focus on Personality. It also happened to
be the most significant difference between my Master’s level training
and my Doctoral work.

The psychodynamic doctoral program I chose had a significant focus

on understanding personality style and dynamics, not just personality
“disorders.” I found this very helpful and seriously de-pathologizing to
an otherwise overly pathologized area of psychology.

Of course, our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (CBT) are relevant and
part of the process. But, they don’t get at the whole of the issues we
struggle with, which almost always involve our personalities.

Operate from a place of diversity, equity and

inclusion
Every one of us has a personality style; not every one of us has a
personality “disorder.” And, take anyone in a particular context and
their personality could seem disordered, but put that same person in a
different context, and it doesn’t.
How people think about, experience, and react to personalities
changes across cultures, ethnicities, religions, and any other diversity
category you can think of. Thus it is extremely important to be
operating from a place of diversity, equity, and inclusion when
considering personality style—more on this in a later section.

Understand why you want to make that

change
Being able to answer the question “Why?” is requisite to the question,
“How?” I find that people are asking “why” more now than ever before.
In part, I believe that’s due to the idea that personality used to be
considered a static feature of one’s life; fairly unchangeable, especially
as a person reaches their early 30’s.

However, as a psychodynamic clinician, I have learned that that is

absolutely not true. Not only is it not  true, but psychodynamic work
also seeks to support just that – a change to one’s personality, based
on the idea that many experiences of depression and anxiety stem
from or are inextricably linked to our personalities.

But in order to really understand how, we must understand why we

want to make that change. That answer should be unique to the
person asking the question.

That said, it is also very hard to do alone and/or without a trained

professional who has spent extensive time learning and understanding
their own personality.

Without that, it becomes difficult to understand the bidirectional

dynamics in any relationship, which are usually the most helpful
indicators of what we need to change in our personality. Said another
way, I don’t know what I need to change about myself if I don’t know
how it impacts other people and how other people impact me.

What actually is personality?

Before actually doing the work to change it, I might use the word
adjust because full-blown personality change – really is that hard. This
cannot be over-emphasized.

My understanding of personality is informed by the PDM (The

Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual) more than the DSM (Diagnostic
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).

The PDM is also written by psychologists, where the DSM is a

psychiatric tool.

From the PDM, I was taught, teach, and practice that personality
involves an in-depth understanding of someone’s mental functioning
and symptom patterns. What does that mean?

According to the PDM, it means understanding this:

 the way we relate to others

 how we understand our own feelings

 how we understand the feelings of others

 how we cope with stress and anxiety

 how we do (or don’t) regulate our own impulses

 how we observe our own emotions and behaviors

 and most socially considered, how we form moral judgments

Based on that list alone, we can see how vital it is that we understand
the context of the person and their systems (e.g., family, social (work,
school), governmental, religious, etc.) in order to make sense of how
disordered these answers are, or aren’t.

What’s an example?

Well, we most certainly need to leave room for Neurodiversity.

Answers to those questions that seem to be “outliers” don’t necessarily
mean that there’s a personality problem or disorder (e.g., someone on
the Autism spectrum may not comprehend the feelings of self and
others the same way that someone who is not on the Autism spectrum
will).

Improving your personality takes time and

professional support
I believe that understanding all of the aforementioned categories
takes time and takes another person. Sure, family and friends may be
willing to talk through some of that with you, but not as much as it
would need to be processed in order to see significant change.

You can greatly increase your chances of positive, sustainable

personality change by committing to do the work over time with a
psychologist or therapist who is specially trained to understand
personality and how it works.

How do I change my personality?

Hopefully, this article has taught you that in order to figure out how to
change your personality, you might want to consider:
1. How to adjust it. Adjustments are easier than change. More
realistic thinking upfront will increase the likelihood of success
down the road.

2. You’ll want to answer the question ‘Why’. Why do you want

to change your personality?

3. You’ll want to deeply understand your personality – as it is

right now. You’ll have an easier time doing that if you answer
the questions I provided you in the section about the PDM.

4. Seek out the support of a well-trained clinician who

absolutely understands the deep and dynamic nuance of this
type of work. If that type of support is financially unavailable to
you, read.

 Read as much as you can on the topic without over-

pathologizing yourself and most definitely without diagnosing
yourself. That won’t help you get anywhere but into a deep
shame spiral that won’t leave much room for adjustment.

5. Seek helpful and supportive feedback from people you

interact with. Ask them questions about how they experience
you and your personality.

 But remember, their answers are biased. They aren’t trained to

be as objective as professionals are, so be careful.

 You want to change the parts of you that you think need to be
changed, not just because someone else does.
Susan Scott
 Certified Professional Leadership Coach and Counselor |
Founder, Life Inspired Inc

Develop more positive beliefs about yourself

Personality is, for the most part, fixed. We might think changing who
we are would make us happier, but it would be like asking a fish to
climb a tree. The fish might look at the tree and think, “I’d be so happy
if I could be up there with the birds.” The fish simply isn’t built for
climbing trees or breathing air.

While you can’t change who you are, you can improve who you are.
You have a mixture of strengths and weaknesses. Strengths can be
built up, and weaknesses can be minimized, so you live as the best
version of your authentic self.

Learn your strengths and learn to acknowledge

them as strengths
Acknowledging them is an important and often overlooked step. We
don’t always value the parts of ourselves that are actually strengths
other people don’t have.

It is that knowing within our soul that we have something of value  to

contribute to the world that gives us greater confidence. But we have
to know it for ourselves.
Take the time to understand different
personality types
Take the time to understand different personality types and you’ll see
the things which come naturally to you are not easy for others.

People who are quiet, background types, for example, tend to be

gifted at understanding others. They have a compassionate
personality. They are naturally observant and intuitive about how
other people are feeling. They don’t often see this as a gift, but they
can sense tensions, fear, or hurts that other personalities miss.

This ability can make quiet, compassionate personalities invaluable at

mediating or negotiating if they see compassion as a strength, not a
weakness.

Knowing your strengths will improve your confidence. If you are a

compassionate person with an ability to sense emotion and tensions
other people don’t pick up on, you can work to enhance that skill.

A confident person living and working in areas that align with their
strengths is also happier, mentally more stable, and better at
relationships.

Uncover your beliefs about yourself

What we believe to be true about ourselves determines how we act. If
we believe we are failures in some way, our mindset will be negative
and toxic.

Negative beliefs bring out the weaknesses of our personality.

Everyone has some negative  self-talk; criticisms we may have heard as
a child are rooted in our brain and play on a loop, reminding us over
and over again where we don’t measure up.

When those beliefs are triggered, we tend  to retreat into our worst
selves, and our weaknesses can take over.

Question those beliefs.

 Where did they come from?

 Are they really true or just ideas you return to over and over again
out of habit?

 What else might be true?

 What are the consequences for holding on to those beliefs?

 How might life change if you let go of them?

Realizing where those beliefs came from and recognizing how they are
holding us back from expressing our full personality is a step toward
improving. Developing more positive beliefs about ourselves gives us
the confidence to let our strengths shine.

Dr. Carly Claney, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist | Director, Relational Psych

Over the years, I’ve worked with many clients struggling with how to
grow and improve in ways that are beneficial to them and their lives.
Here is one of my strongest suggestions for people seeking self-
improvement.

Related: 9 Self Improvement Tips for a Better Life

Focus on what you are grateful for

Gratitude helps us to connect more fully with our current experience
and amplifies our positive emotions. When we focus on what we’re
grateful for, it becomes easier  to be kinder to ourselves and others,
strengthening our relationships, health, resilience, and overall well-
being.

Beyond just the social and personal improvement that comes from
gratitude, there are also career benefits as grateful people have been
shown to invest their time and energy wisely, putting extra effort into
goals that lead to success later on.

When faced with difficult choices, they also make better  decisions,

being more open-minded, persistent, and creative when following the
best course of action.

Grateful people are also less likely to give up in the face of failure,

meaning they’re more inclined to persevere until they achieve their
goals (for instance, by studying harder or practicing more).

Gratitude has also been scientifically proven

to enhance  forgiveness – both in ourselves and others, giving us a
more fulfilling relationship with ourselves and others. In addition,
those who feel grateful tend to have closer relationships overall, due in
part to a deeper appreciation for loved ones as well as a desire to
repay the good deeds done for them.

Grateful people are also more likely to serve others, feel part of a
community, and have a stronger sense of purpose in life – all
contributing factors to improved physical health.

How to practice gratitude?

Gratitude is so much more than simply saying “thank you” more often;
it’s something that needs to be mindfully practiced on a regular basis
in order for there to be deep impacts in your life. Studies show that
this practice of appreciation will deepen over time, leading us to
appreciate some things more deeply each time they happen.

Some ways in which you can practice gratitude include:

 Keep a gratitude journal. Each evening, write down three things

from the day that you were thankful for. Briefly describe how
those things made you feel and why you’re so thankful for them.

 Practice gratitude meditations. These can be found for free on

YouTube and will walk you through the process of visualizing
things you’re thankful for feeling the strong sense of connection
you have to that thing, like your body or the security of the
home you’re in.

 Set a time each week to write a card, email, or text to a

friend, either for their birthday or just out of the
blue. Describe how much that person means to you and reflect
on all the positive ways that relationship has enriched your life.
Shayna Meyer
 Founder and Creator, The Enjoyment Method

The most powerful way to improve your

personality is to walk each day in gratitude
As we go about our journey in life, we encounter an endless variety of
people and personalities.

Since I was a very young girl, it has always fascinated me that billions
of people on the planet and only pairs of identical twins look the
same. No other two people are even remotely close in appearance or
DNA.

Some people are charismatic, magnetic, and seem to glow, while many
others come across as dull, downtrodden, and just plain grumpy with
personalities like fingernails on a chalkboard. Why is this?

We are all made up of energy, and energy comes in the forms of many
different levels of vibrations. If someone seems to “have it all” in the
areas of friends, wealth, health, happiness, peace, etc., they are
described as high-vibrational beings.

On the flip side, when we encounter people who are constantly

grouchy and angry and do not exude any qualities of health and
wellness, they are described as vibrating on lower frequencies.
If a person wants to improve their personality, they must improve
their vibrational frequency.

Unfortunately, the Western world does not talk about how to raise
those frequencies tactically, but the good news is it is possible.

We must stop consuming energetically dead

foods
We must enrich our bodies with high-vibrational organic fruits and
vegetables, grass-fed beef, and free-range chicken and eggs.

It is important to refrain from a diet full of:

 processed and fried foods

 sugar

 white flour

 fake flavors and colors

 meats and dairy full of antibiotics and hormones

This is incredibly important so that our bodies have good clean fuel to
burn. When we enrich our bodies with high-frequency foods, we feel
lighter, clearer, sharper, and more capable of doing the things we set
out to do.

We must face our grief and trauma

As we go about our lives, most of us go through micro-
traumas, macro-traumas, and extremely difficult times. The majority of
us have not received proper guidelines on processing those situations.
Therefore, a vast number of people are running around life with so
many wounds stuffed deep down inside them, hoping they never have
to face them, but again all of that hurt  is lowering the vibration of the
person.

Once we can choose a path of bravery and face the hurt, it makes us
happier, lighter, and again, vibrate on higher frequencies.

Meditation, breathwork, and singing bowls are all tools that

excavate past  trauma and help align a person with higher and more
positive frequencies.

Choose the right circle of friends to elevate

your personality
One group of friends seems to bring out the best in us and the other,
quite the opposite. Each one of us has experienced this at different
times over the course of our life. If it is essential to elevate your
personality, it’s imperative to have an excellent group of positive
friends who genuinely cheer you on.

All of the aforementioned tools and tactics can be used individually or

together to really elevate a person’s vibe; however, maybe the easiest
and most powerful way to begin the practice of improving your
personality would be to walk each day in gratitude.

“Gratitude is the attitude.” We hear this saying so often, but it is most

certainly trite and true.

Gratitude is ten times more powerful than any other emotion and
ignites the entire universe to start working in your favor. It is easy to
do, and it is effective. We can always  find something to be grateful
for.

The bottom line is if you want to improve your personality, you can do
this by adding a variety of rituals into your life that elevate your
frequency, so from the inside out, you glow and exhibit a more
tolerable persona.

Frank Thewes, LCSW

Private Practice Mental Health Professional, PathForwardTherapy

You have to be in touch with the parts you

want to improve
Our personality is the outward expression of how we have been
shaped internally by a lifetime of experiences. It is the front-facing
element of our emotional interior.

Improving our personality takes awareness and intent. We have to

be in touch with the parts of our personality that we want to improve,
and we have to make a conscious and deliberate effort to moderate
those parts.

Related: How to Get to Know Yourself Better (9 Self-Awareness

Questions)
A shorthand for a plan to do this would be to find a therapist to help
you understand your personality and why it is shaped the way it is,
select the aspects you want to improve, learn to regulate emotional
impulses through therapy, use grounding actions such as breathing
exercises and mindfulness practices, and work to cultivate a calmer
lifestyle.

The personality is hardwired, and making improvements to that

hardwiring has to be undertaken with measured, deliberate action and
with awareness that our wiring creates the automatic operation of our
personality.

Set small goals across a longer period of time

We need to set small goals across a longer period of time to mark
change and progress in improving parts of our personality and realize
that this kind of change is difficult and can’t happen overnight. It is
important also to manage expectations and realize that this process
will very likely fit the “two steps forward, one step back”
progression.

Expect to be discouraged at times, and you will have a realistic

outlook on improving your personality.

Dr. Tracy Thomas, Ph.D.

 Psychologist, Emotional Scientist, and Interventionist | CEO and
Founder, Dr. Tracy Inc.

Be aware of your emotional patterns

Personality is largely influenced by the emotional patterns we have
absorbed throughout our lives from our families, religions, peer
groups, and social culture.

To improve personality effectively and experience long-term change

from the improvement, an awareness of the patterns playing out and
replacement of those patterns is essential.

These patterns include everything from reactive patterns to perceived

criticism, trauma patterns from any form of PTSD, as well as childhood
patterns of seeking attention and affection.

As the awareness of the patterns grows, a replacement pattern can be

put in place, and with consistent and continued effort, the new pattern
will become the conditioned behavior, and from there, the upgrade in
personality.

Tina Hawk, SHRM-SCP, sHRBP, SSHR

SVP Human Resources, GoodHire

Self-reflection and self-understanding are so
crucial
Whatever your specific goals are, improving your personality often
looks like regularly taking the time to get to know who you really are.
There are many ways one can practice becoming more self-aware,
such as journaling, meditation, or engaging in a hobby that facilitates
self-reflection.

Wanting to improve your personality can sometimes mean a person is

either suffering from these in one form or another:

 stress

 frustration

 anger
These feelings can often be expressed by  taking it out on the people
around us, but getting to the root of them is vital if we are ever going
to change our behavior. That’s why self-reflection and self-
understanding are so crucial.

From another perspective, we might just want to improve  ourselves

and become more well-rounded individuals.

In this case, broadening our horizons or stepping outside of our

comfort zone can be a great  way forward. Learning a new language or
taking up a sport or hobby that you’ve always been a little fearful of
are great examples.
Sometimes, improving our personality just means becoming less one-
dimensional, and nothing remedies this as effectively as new life
experience.

Ryan Hsu

Founder, CareMax

Don’t try to work on every single thing about

your personality at once or you’ll get
overwhelmed
It can be challenging to change your personality, but there are a few
things that you can do to make the process a little bit easier. Here are
a few tips:

 Be patient.

 It takes time to change your personality, so be patient and

don’t expect to see results overnight.

 Identify your goals.

 What do you want to change about your personality? Once

you know what you want to achieve, you can start working
towards it.

 Be willing to experiment.
  Trying new things is essential if you want to change your
personality. If something doesn’t work, don’t be afraid to try
something else.

 Be honest with yourself.

 It’s essential, to be honest with yourself about who you  are

and how other people perceive you. Once you’ve identified
your personality flaws, work on fixing them.

 Set goals that are SMART.

 Make sure that your goals

are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-
Bound. Otherwise, they won’t be very effective in helping you
change your personality.

 Work on the easy stuff first.

 Don’t try to work on every single thing about your personality

at once, or you’ll get overwhelmed and likely quit before
making any progress.

 Instead of worrying about everything, start with

something simple, like talking more in social situations. Once
you’ve mastered that task, move on to something else.

 Identify your triggers.

 When you feel most comfortable, that’s when it’s most

challenging to push yourself out  of your comfort zone and try
something new.

 However, by identifying the situations in which you most often

act in a way you’d like to change, you can find the places
where it will be easiest to make a breakthrough.
My best advice is to start small. Instead of trying to change all
aspects of your personality at once, pick one and take action.
Remember: patience is key. Once you’ve mastered that goal, work on
another.

Anthony Martin

CEO & Founder, Choice Mutual

Put yourself in different circumstances and do

things you wouldn’t normally do
Even if it’s going to a new place, a long hike, or eating out by
yourself, it doesn’t have to be extraordinary as long as it pushes you
out of your comfort zone and gives you an opportunity to meet
people.

No book or occupation can beat having your own experiences;

without it, you’re just dipping into someone else’s world without
building your own.

Build on your skills; there’s nothing like realizing you’re good at

something.

Imposter syndrome affects us all to an extent, but knowing your

worth  and truly mastering your skills will help you move on from it.
You’re going to spend a lot of time at work, you might as well excel in
what you’re doing and be proud of it.

Bridget Chebo

Director of Customer Success, We are Working

Ask how other people perceives you

I suggest a two-pronged approach:

1. Ask colleagues, managers, friends, and family members to

describe your personality, especially the areas which they think
could be personality flaws.

2. Take an online personality test such as MBTI or DiSC. These are

both insightful ways to understand how others perceive you.
Often, how we would describe ourselves is not in complete
alignment with how others see us.
Our reactions to factors like prolonged stress or pain can cause our
personalities to change even in the short term.

Set a goal for something you would like to

change
Once you understand your true personality type, how your behavior is
impacted by stress, and how others perceive you, you can set a goal
for something you would like to change or improve in your personality
and relationships.

For example, if you discover you are perceived as rigid, you may
decide you want to become more open. Write down your goal in a
notebook or journal, and then think about tactics and strategies for
becoming more open.

Do some research on the topic, and set some small goals such. In the
example of being more open, this can be as simple as trying
something new, listening to a podcast that has a different perspective
than your own, talk less and listen more.

Michael Humphreys

Founder and CEO, Z Grills Australia

You develop ideas and fresh perspectives when

you learn about the realities of different
people
Though we use character and personality interchangeably, there is a
notable difference between the two.

Character  pertains to the set of moral beliefs and principles we

uphold, while personality  is the totality of our attitude and behavior,
the latter making us distinct among others. Our personality changes
through our personal experiences over time. But, an individual who is
intentional in being better  pursues personality development.

There are many ways to improve your personality, but here are three
essential things that we believe can yield excellent results:

 Engage and interact more, especially with people from various

backgrounds, races, or cultures.

 Read a lot. By reading, you gain insights and diverse

perspectives about reality.

 Develop hobbies and interests beyond your phone screen

and digital devices. Sure, social media is a good start at
interaction with your social group, but your interests can be
potential conversation starters that lead you to make more
meaningful connections.
When you learn about the realities of different people and what you
are used to, you develop ideas, a new sense of compassion, and  fresh
perspectives. Your thoughts and outlook in life begin to change. It
affects your attitude toward yourself and others.

Eventually, it will spark a transformation in your behavior and overall

personality.

Isaac Robertson
 Co-Founder and Chief Editor, Total Shape
Many people feel that our personality is fixed and we can’t do
anything about it. But that’s a total lie! We can revamp our whole
personality and rewrite our behaviors or manners. Our personality can
be improved for the better, increasing our quality of life and boosting
our self-esteem.

Related: How to Improve Your Self-Esteem – The Ultimate Guide

Work on your mindset

When we want to change things around us or within ourselves, we
need to change the way we perceive the world. Only by changing the
outlook we can change our outward expressions. So, develop an open,
positive, and growth mindset.

Working on our mindset allows us to understand different

perspectives, conflicting narratives, and different personalities. Not
only this, a growth mindset helps us build resilience and adaptability.

The knowledge we develop from developing an open mindset can

make us better at dealing with people and carrying ourselves among
people. Our personality often gets damaged for behaving out of
immaturity, so the first step should always be to wipe out that
immaturity from our minds.
Stop getting driven by emotions
Just like our lives are temporary, our feelings are also temporary. One
day we would feel as if nothing matters, and the next day we would
find ourselves enjoying the party. So, we should stop getting
influenced by our emotions. But that doesn’t mean that we should
suppress our emotions as it is unhealthy in the long run.

We should find a better way to communicate our emotions rather than

instinctively acting on them.

We can communicate our emotions better, or we can even journal our

extreme emotions. Getting our feet on the ground with calmness lifts
our image among people. Other than that, we also would be free of
our regrets on being impulsive and hasty.

Harriet Chan

Co-founder, CocoFinder

Writing daily on a journal and smiling more are

powerful self-improvement tools
An ultimate self-improvement strategy that I believe in and which has
helped me get to where I am today involves the following two
activities:
  Daily journaling

 Writing about your life, about your day, what you experience,

and how you experience it is a powerful self-improvement
tool.

 This method affords you data sets on yourself and your

behavior, thus helping you make gradual but permanent  and
positive improvements to your personality.

 Smile more

 A welcoming smile is always a powerful tool to help

you transform  your personality and make your life much
better. Practice smiling daily in front of your mirror, and this
will enable you to overcome anxiety when around people and
cultivate boldness that improves your personality.
Ryan Yount

Chief Operating Officer, LuckLuckGo

Exercise wittiness
You become more fun when you have an ice-breaking sense of humor
or can humorously make light of terrible situations. People will want
to stay  around you more if you can make them laugh or create a
funny perspective from the regular life activities.
Being serious and sober-minded all the time becomes unexciting. A
charming personality can be created by being witty and using that
trait appropriately.

Accept others’ imperfections

People should feel comfortable around you despite their
shortcomings. Making people feel good about themselves and not
being self-conscious is a crucial personality trait. Don’t talk to people
about their imperfections and what they lack all the time.

Related: How to Be Less Self-Conscious

While it is okay to advise your friends on how to self-improve, you

shouldn’t come off as condescending or judgmental.

Exhibit adaptability
To be adaptable means that you change with time and are not stuck in
your ways. It means you are flexible  and willing to try new ideas and
practices. Being dynamic brings about an infectious, attractive, and
bright personality. It makes you spontaneous, meaning you do not
plan every bit of your life down to the last.

While planning is good, there should be a balance between what you

plan and what you don’t.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a good personality?
A good personality is a blend of various traits that enable you to
interact effectively with others and contribute positively to the world
around you. Some key elements of a good personality include:

• Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of others

is crucial for building strong relationships and working well in teams.

• Adaptability: Being able to adjust to different situations and

environments demonstrates resilience and flexibility, which are highly
valued traits in today’s fast-paced world.

• Positivity: A positive attitude not only uplifts your own mood but
also has a contagious effect on others, creating a supportive and
optimistic environment.

• Humility: Recognizing and accepting your limitations while

remaining open to learning from others shows maturity and emotional
intelligence.

• Integrity: Honesty, trustworthiness, and a strong moral compass are

essential for maintaining good character and cultivating meaningful
connections with others.

What are some common personality traits that people

try to improve?
• Communication skills: Effective communication is a vital aspect of
personal and professional success. Many people work on improving
their listening, speaking, and writing abilities to better articulate their
thoughts and understand others.
• Assertiveness: Striking a balance between being overly passive and
overly aggressive is essential for standing up for your beliefs and
needs while maintaining healthy relationships.

• Emotional intelligence: Developing emotional intelligence involves

recognizing and managing your own emotions, as well as
understanding and empathizing with the emotions of others.

• Patience: Cultivating patience helps reduce stress, improve decision-

making, and foster better relationships with others. People often focus
on becoming more patient and tolerant in challenging situations.

• Time management: Efficiently managing time allows you to

prioritize tasks, avoid procrastination, and achieve a better work-life
balance. Many people strive to enhance their time management skills
to boost productivity and reduce stress.

How can I identify areas of my personality that need

improvement?
To identify areas of your personality that need improvement, follow
these steps:

• Self-reflection: Spend time reflecting on your thoughts, feelings,

and actions. Analyze your behavior in different situations and consider
how you interact with others. This introspection can help you uncover
patterns and traits that may need improvement.

• Seek feedback: Ask for honest feedback from friends, family, and

colleagues. They can provide valuable insights into your strengths and
areas that could use development. Be open to constructive criticism,
and remember that this feedback is meant to help you grow.
• Compare with role models: Identify people you admire for their
personality traits and assess how your own traits compare. This
exercise can help you recognize areas where you might want to
emulate your role models.

• Keep a journal: Document your daily experiences, thoughts, and

emotions. Over time, you’ll be able to identify recurring patterns and
areas of your personality that need attention.

• Assessments and tests: Take personality tests or complete self-

assessment questionnaires, which can offer valuable insights into your
personality traits and areas for improvement.

How long does it take to see improvement in my

personality?
The time it takes to see improvement in your personality varies from
person to person and depends on the specific traits you’re working on.
Personal growth is an ongoing process; meaningful changes often
require consistent effort and dedication. It’s essential to be patient and
remember that small, incremental improvements can lead to
significant long-term progress.

Can therapy or counseling help me improve my

personality?
Yes, therapy or counseling can be highly beneficial in helping you
improve your personality. Therapists and counselors are trained
professionals who can assist you in understanding your thoughts,
emotions, and behaviors. They can provide guidance, support, and
strategies for self-improvement.
 Some ways therapy or counseling can help include:

• Identifying underlying issues: A therapist can help you uncover the

root causes of problematic behavior patterns, providing a clearer
understanding of areas that need improvement.

• Developing coping strategies: Counseling can equip you with tools

and techniques to manage stress, anxiety, or other challenges that
may be impacting your personality.

• Enhancing self-awareness: Therapy can foster greater self-

awareness, allowing you to recognize your strengths and weaknesses
better.

• Setting goals: Working with a therapist or counselor can help you

establish achievable goals for personal growth and create a plan to
reach them.

• Providing support: The therapeutic relationship offers a safe space

for you to express your thoughts and emotions without judgment,
fostering personal growth and self-improvement.

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The Editors

PSYCHOLOGY | PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION

How to Stop Being Pessimistic

By The Editors
Updated on February 9, 2023
Are you pessimistic by nature? Do you see the negative in every
situation and have trouble finding the silver lining? If so, it might be
time to make some changes.

Many people find it difficult to be optimistic, especially when things

go wrong. But there are steps to start seeing the glass as half full.
According to experts, here are ways to break out of your pessimistic
thinking habits and start seeing the world in a more positive light:

Stephanie E. Wilson-Coleman, Ph.D.

Founder and CEO, The Champagne Connection | Author,

“Creating a Masterpiece from a Master Mess“
The techniques listed below will help you find more joy in your life.
According to scientists, you might live up to 15 years longer and have
fewer health complaints. It’s worth considering. 

Remember the good things you experienced to

increase your happiness factor
Daily, talk about or write about one thing that went well or made you
smile. There is no requirement that you must enjoy every moment of
the day; however, at the end of each day, remembering the good
things you experienced will increase your happiness factor.

Create a list of things you can brag about

Create a list of things you have accomplished that you can brag about.
Keep this list readily available and review it frequently.

Your “brag list” will remind you that you have already conquered

many storms, so know that you are amazing.
Use the lessons learned and the ideas gained to
help you change how you think
Each experience brings with it many lessons and blessings. List the
lessons learned the insights gained. 

If you cannot change the situation, use the lessons learned and the
ideas gained to help you change how you think about it. Asking
yourself how you can grow from this experience will help you embrace
challenges while creating a growth mindset.

Express your gratitude to people who help

make your life easier
List 1-5 people who help make your life a little easier and happier.
Send a thank-you note, email, or even make a phone call. 

Some scientists say that expressing gratitude is  “magical”  and helps

to increase our happiness and self-worth. It also helps to increase the
happiness and self-worth of those you thank.

Silence your inner critic

Stop comparing yourself to others. Look inward and not
outward. Make sure you are the “main thing” in your life.

Remind yourself daily, hourly if needed, that:

 You are worthy

 You are powerful

  You are creative and 

 You can handle it

Keep your focus on what’s “right” with you.

Nature did not create any perfect organism; it created organisms
perfectly. It’s time to remember that life can be a bumpy road,
but Winston Churchill reminds us, “Success consists of going from
failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” 

John F. Tholen, PhD

Retired Psychologist | Author, “Focused Positivity: The Path to

Success and Peace of Mind“

Shift your attention to reasonable alternative

ideas that will inspire constructive action
Pessimism is a psychological defense mechanism. A negative
perspective is self-protective. 

When we expect the worst, we are almost never disappointed. Either

our expectation is fulfilled, or we are pleasantly surprised at a better
outcome. And we can be pleased even if the result is less than the best
possible. 
Furthermore, if we expect a poor outcome, we are less likely to risk an
effort that might not succeed, protecting us from feeling (or being
seen as) a “failure.”

The problem with being a pessimist is that focusing on a poor

outcome spoils our mood and robs us of the hope and motivation
necessary to fully pursue our goals. 

Although it may be impossible to persuade a pessimist to change,

when that decision is made, the best course to follow is focused
positivity strategy.

Although it seems that our emotions and motivations result directly

from the events and circumstances we encounter, they are instead
reactions to our self-talk— the internal monologue that streams
through our waking consciousness, interpreting whatever we
experience and establishing our perspective. 

Thoughts that automatically come into our minds are determined by a

complex interaction between our inherited traits and our early life
experience. Neither of which is under our control. 

When that interplay has left us cynical about life or excessively self-
critical, our spontaneous thoughts are often pessimistic
and dysfunctional—causing distress without inspiring constructive
action. 

When such thoughts linger in the spotlight of our attention and infuse
our self-talk, our self-assertion becomes inhibited. Thus, our peace of
mind is disrupted  even though these ideas are almost always
incomplete, unreasonable, or completely wrong. 
We can become less of a pessimist and improve our outcomes and
state of mind—by identifying and shifting our attention to
reasonable alternative ideas that are more likely to inspire
constructive action or hope. 

This is focused positivity strategy:

1. Becoming mindful of our thoughts by recording and

examining the ideas that occupy our minds when we are upset,

2. Identifying the dysfunctional thoughts that have become the

focus of our attention and are spoiling our experience,

3. Constructing more reasonable, balanced,

and  functional  alternatives

4. Systematically refocusing our attention away from the

dysfunctional thoughts and toward the functional alternatives.
Cognitive Therapy (CT) is the only psychological treatment approach
that can be considered “evidence-based.” 

A review of 325 different research studies involving more than 9000

subjects found CT to be effective in treating depression (adult and
adolescent), anxiety disorder, and social phobia (David, D., et al., “Why
Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy Is the Gold Standard of
Psychotherapy,” Frontiers of Psychiatry, 01-29-2018). 

CT works because it is the most efficient method of challenging our

dysfunctional thoughts, and the most efficient form of CT is focused
positivity strategy.
We respond best to any challenge in life by employing the closest
thing we have to, a “superpower”, our ability at any moment to shift
the focus of our attention to a more functional thought, such as: 

 Anyone who isn’t failing now and then isn’t experimenting

enough.

 There are no failures, only discoveries.

 Whatever the outcome of my efforts, I’ll know that I tried, and I’ll
find some way to survive and carry on.

 “Failure” would only mean I’m reaching to fulfill my goals.

 No reasonable person would think less of me for striving to

attain my dreams

 Life is hard, and mistakes are inevitable. I deserve credit for a

reasonable attempt.

 Success or failure is less important than “sincere, positive effort,”

as only the latter is under my control.

 My best efforts will sometimes turn out poorly because life is

unpredictable, and I’m only human.

 The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice
(MLK).
Juan Santos M.S., CRC, LCMHC
 Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor | Owner, Santos
Counseling PLLC
A person can typically engage in two types of mindsets. One is
optimistic, and the other is pessimistic. Optimistic thinking occurs
when a person engages in thoughts that focus on the positives. 

Meanwhile, pessimistic thinking takes place when a person engages in

negative related thoughts, such as seeing the worst in others and
themselves, and anticipating that things will go wrong.

Consistency and discipline is required

Know that there is a way to shift from a pessimistic to an optimistic
mindset. Before you dive into the reading, please know that work is
required to make this mindset shift. The work required is that
of consistency  and discipline.

Related: Why Is Self Discipline Important?

Try to be consistent with the exercises listed below. In addition, give

yourself structure so that you have the discipline to maintain
consistency. 

Structure time to practice optimistic thinking

You have probably heard of affirmations. If not, an affirmation is a set
of words that you use to create a positive mindset.  It is a practice
of  self-love.

To stop being pessimistic, you can utilize affirmations in a structured

way. Start each day by giving yourself 3 minutes to write down
positive affirmations that directly shift you from a pessimistic to
optimistic mindset. 

Below are examples to practice:

 I am excited about today.

 Today is going to be a great day.

 I know that wonderful things are coming my way.

 I choose to see the best in others.

 I choose to believe that things will work out.

Create a support system that focuses on

cultivating an optimistic mindset
Having a support system is hands down one of the most common
therapeutic strategies provided to persons seeking mental health
support.

To stop being pessimistic, you can create a circle of peers that hold the
same goal. Treat this circle of peers like an organization you have to
meet with on a structured schedule. Try to meet with the group one to
two times a month.
Create venues to stop being pessimistic and start growing in the area
of optimism. Ways to do this include:

 Each person provides an optimistic statement to the other.

 Praise each other for optimistic moments.

 Play the what-if scenario as a group. Start by creating a what-if

scenario that would typically cause you to engage in pessimistic
thinking. The goal is to play the game by having everyone in the
group come up with ways to be optimistic.
As you continue to move forward in addressing pessimistic thinking,
please keep in mind the importance of consistency and discipline. 

Dr. Carrie Lam, MD, FAAMFM, ABAARM

Medical Doctor, Dr. Lam Coaching

Having negative thoughts is like carrying a bottle of poison that
gradually sabotages your overall health. Your life will be much better if
you let them go. 

Noticing when you start to become negative and stopping these

negative thoughts is essential to retain your mind’s tranquility. 

Identify negative thoughts and write them

Writing your negative thoughts on paper will help you understand
what triggers your negativity so that you can avoid them. 

It can also help you determine whether a thought is purely negative or

a product of a problem or perception that you need to work through
to let go. Then take some time to focus on the positive things that
bring you happiness or appreciation. 

Stop believing negative thoughts

You cannot stop thinking negatively as long as you believe in it. The
best way to stop negative thoughts is to stop believing in them.
Negative thoughts lose their hold when you no longer believe in
them. 

Avoid things that bring you down

Negative thoughts are a two-sided coin. Avoiding things that bring
you down will help you switch to positive thinking. Practicing various
mind relaxation techniques or doing your hobby helps achieve a
relaxed and peaceful mind. 

 Read inspiring real-life stories 

 Seek the company of people who bring out the best in you

 Do meditation, yoga, painting, gardening, swimming, running,

reading, or just taking your dog out for a walk

Believe in yourself and heighten self-esteem

The mind is infused with positive thoughts when you believe in
yourself. Notice how what and who you are right now is good. 
For instance, insanely thin bodies are constantly being promoted as
“fashionable.” This can make you think negatively about your own
body. Instead, believe in yourself and understand that a skinny body is
actually unhealthy. This can help in stopping negative thoughts and
heightening self-esteem.

Related: The 32 Best Books on Confidence and Self-Esteem

Nancy Belcher, PhD., MPA

CEO and Co-Founder, Winona

The best way to discontinue a cycle of negativity is by working
to consciously  reprogram your brain.

When we have fallen into a habit of pessimism, our brains begin to

produce automatic negative thoughts, or ANTs, via neural
pathways. The more the neural pathways are impressed with certain
beliefs, the more automatic they become.

Take every thought captive and flip negative

ones into positive affirmations
The goal is to keep your brain’s ANT population to a minimum. The
way to achieve that is by going on a mental diet. That means taking
every thought captive and flipping the negative ones into positive
affirmations.
If your current assumption is that “money is hard to come by”, stop
that thought in its tracks and affirm the opposite. Say, “No, actually, all
my bills are always paid on time.”

Mix affirmation with gratitude to supercharge

the formation of new beliefs
Mixing gratitude in the mix is a way to supercharge the formation of
new beliefs. When it comes to your money mindset, for example, you
could affirm, “I am so grateful that my bills are always paid on time.”

When breaking the habit of pessimism, remember that you created it

through repeated thoughts. That means you have the power to
uncreate it. When you change the way you look at things, the things
you look at change.

Allen Klein, MA, CSP

Author, “The Awe Factor: How a Little Bit of Wonder Can Make a
Big Difference in Your Life”
It’s not always easy staying positive in an often negative world.
However, it is possible, especially if you do these three simple things:

Have uplifting and optimistic quotations or

affirmative thoughts around
Words are powerful tools – they can bring us down or lift us up, and
they can also help us be more positive. 

Having uplifting and optimistic quotations, or affirmative thoughts

around, where you can see them regularly, can be one of the quickest
ways to decrease your pessimism and increase your positivity.

Have those positive slogans as a background for your computer

screen, post them on your refrigerator, use them with your signature
on your emails, recite them to yourself throughout the day or put
them on your bathroom mirror, so you start your day on a high note. 

One of the favorites that I use to keep a positive attitude is: “The

world treats me as royalty wherever I go.” And it often does.

Focus on the things in your life for which you

are thankful for
No matter your situation, there is always something for which you can
be grateful. To be less pessimistic, try focusing on the things in your life
for which you are thankful, no matter how small. 

Those might include the more significant things like your friends,
family, or acquaintances, your health, and your work. Or, it might be
the more minor things like the penny you found on the street, a
beautiful flower you saw, or a child’s laughter you heard as you passed
a playground.

Start keeping a daily list of those things. Even if you just write down
one a day for which you are grateful. It can help open the door to
being more optimistic by putting them in the foreground and your
pessimism in the background.
Let go of your grudge towards someone or
something
Carrying around a grudge toward someone or something is like
having around a 10-pound sack of potatoes. It’s heavy, wears you out,
and prevents you from fully enjoying your life. Put it down; let it go. 

Related: How to Let Go of Anger and Hate

Whenever you are in conflict, ask yourself, “Do I want to be right or

happy?” The answer can change your life and help you stay on the
positive, less pessimistic side.

Mia Hewett

Life Coach and CEO, Aligned Intelligence | Author, “Meant For

More: Stop Secretly Struggling and Be A Force To Be Reckoned
With“
Why do we believe that the worst  will happen?

The American Psychological Association (APA) dictionary defines a

pessimistic person as people “who expect bad things to happen to
them….” 

Pessimism is categorized as a personality type and can feel like part of

you and not something you can change. But why do some
people ‘instinctively’ think about the worst things that could happen to
them? 

Our personality types are often viewed as falling somewhere between

pessimism and optimism. Yet optimism isn’t  the end goal if you want
to stop being and, most importantly, feeling pessimistic. 

Trying to be more optimistic and ‘grateful’ is not a long-lasting or

impactful way to feel more positive about yourself. This is why all
of these solutions are like putting a plaster on a wound before you
clean it. All you do is cover it up and trap the dirt inside! 

Do not force your thoughts to change how you

feel
The first thing I want to say is that if you think pessimistically, just
trying to think more positively will not work. You are not a negative
person, and you do not need to force your thoughts to change how
you feel.  In fact, this can be counterproductive  and just leave you
feeling frustrated and even angry with yourself when you don’t get
any results. 

Pessimism is a way of practicing avoidance. One where you

subconsciously think about the worst things that could happen. 

When you learned you couldn’t trust other people, and you believed
that you were only safe if you were not reliant on anyone else. You
start to subconsciously engage in avoidance strategies and predict
that something bad will come from your actions.
Understand what caused you to feel afraid and
self-sabotage
You have been taught that to be more positive you just need to try
harder, find inner self-motivation and stop thinking too much! The
pessimistic voice in your head is telling you that there is no point,
so stop that voice and start believing that you are capable and the
world is full of opportunity. 

Now I am not saying this will not help for a day or a week, but to
permanently silence the pessimistic voice in your head, you must first
understand what caused you to feel afraid and self-sabotage. Think the
best, not the worst, about a situation and what will happen if you
choose to operate within that space.

You can start by asking yourself:

 Do you feel unworthy of your success?

 Are you worried about what other people think of you or your
aspirations?

 Is fear driving your thoughts and actions?

If you just answered yes to any of the above questions, then you need
to understand how past traumatic experiences made you value
control over happiness and security over risk. When you address
the reasons behind what drives your emotions, you can break free from
a cycle of pessimistic thoughts.

Joann Perahia
 Career Assessment Coach | Business Consultant, Systemic
Solutions Inc.

Find your purpose

I am putting these in a list because when we are feeling very
pessimistic, we cannot do everything at once. We must do things in
baby steps.

I have a theory that it is easier to be pessimistic than optimistic. Think

of gravity and energy. It takes more energy to hold up a ball, which is
positive. It takes less energy just to let the ball drop. It takes more
energy to be positive than it does to be negative.

I am a career coach where I help people find their purpose with

purpose cards. One of the first steps that help one from being
pessimistic is finding their purpose.

Related: How to Find Meaning and Purpose in Your Life

Our purpose is the talents and gifts we are born with; those
gifts/talents are what we are supposed to give to other people. Think
about how you feel when you give a physical gift to a person and see
them smile. Once we feel we have a purpose, we instinctively become
more positive.
We all are born with talents and gifts; we just have never been shown
what they are for whatever reasons.

So here is a list. It can be used in any order. Do one at a time or as

many as you like.  Don’t overwhelm yourself. However, I find the first 2
to be very helpful at the start of the day.

1. Focus on all the good things in your life. We all have them, no
matter what. List them out—one at a time.

2. Gratitude. Be grateful for those things above. List them out on

paper, or the computer doesn’t matter what medium. “I am
grateful for____________”

3. Get off social media and:

a. Stop looking at the people who show off how great their lives
are. Because they are not!
b. Or the influencers who say how much money they are making
on social media for only doing two hours a day of work. That is
just not true. It takes time to do podcasts, videos, etc.

4. Go outside! Smell the air. Fresh air is one of the greatest gifts,

even if it is 30 below.

5. Find a hobby/interest that brings you joy no matter what it is.

You don’t have to be good at it.
a. Take a class on the above hobby or interest. It doesn’t have to
be academic. Nowadays, there are even free classes via Zoom.

6. Meditate – there are apps that teach you. Five minutes a day is
fine.

7. When a negative thought passes your mind, throw it out

immediately. Say to yourself, “don’t go there.”
 8. Breathe – sometimes we are triggered by something that
happens during the day. Take one minute out and inhale for 6
seconds and then exhale for 6 seconds. Do this when you have a
pessimistic thought. It doesn’t matter where you do it, bathroom,
car, hallway, etc.

9. Stop being around negative people. Misery loves company.

10. Forgive yourself and others. Forgiveness is also a way not

to be pessimistic.

11. Music and singing – no talent needed.

Aniko Dunn, Psy.D.

Doctor of Psychology, EZCare Clinic

The pessimist defines the state of mind of the person who expects the
worst. The pessimistic attitude is not very cheerful, shows less
positivity and motivation. 

Being pessimistic means that you believe that evil is greater than
good, and that evil can happen again.

Think about happiness and blessings

Waking up and thinking about happiness and blessings can help you
start your day better. Before you go to sleep, try to remember the
amazing results, consequences, and conclusions during the day so that
you can sleep more calmly.

Gratitude is a powerful tool that can make you feel good even when
you are distrustful. By intentionally practicing gratitude, you can learn
how to stop being pessimistic and become more positive in life.

Show kindness to those in need

When you help and encourage people in a difficult situation, you are
more likely to feel positive about yourself and your life.

Encouraging or uplifting others helps us feel vulnerable and increase

our self-esteem to do something worthwhile.

Related: 30+ Reasons Why Kindness Is Important

Start your day with positive thoughts

It all depends on how you start your day, how you spend it, and end it.
By starting your day positively, you can win before you start your daily
challenges.

Here are some ways to get your day started peacefully:

 Listening to podcasts

 Reading helpful or inspirational books, articles, or blogs

 Listening to positive music

Acknowledge learnings from past negative

experiences
No person can live without experiencing a negative situation or other
traumatic events at some point in life. People also blame their parents,
siblings, mentors, teachers, co-workers, spouses, friends, and children
for the negative experiences that darken their lives.

But a bad experience is a synonym that does not affect your whole life.
Face reality, learn from experience, and refuse to influence the past,
present, and future.

Eno Georgette Inwek

Speech, Self-Expression and Self-Care Coach

Acknowledge that you actually are pessimistic

and make the necessary change
It’s imperative that we see the relationship between our pessimistic
state and how we show up. As a business and speech coach, I grapple
with people who are unable to distance themselves from their
negativity.

It shows up in the rehearsals or speeches. It also causes them not to

be able to convey their message without what appears to be upset or
bitterness seeping through.

I had a personal experience years ago during my divorce. It was a

betrayal of magnitude proportions. I was still working on jobs or
projects in spaces that required me to be present for others as they
worked on their own personal development journeys. I thought I was
masking it well. I was not.

It’s quite laughable when I reflect. I had done absolutely nothing to

heal or work on my hurting heart. Many of my videos and
presentations emitted that same sad or pessimistic energy.

In many cases, if you’re hurt, upset, sad, traumatized, or have a chip on

your shoulder about anything that’s happened, you will show up in life
that way.

The idea of being less pessimistic requires practice. You have to

acknowledge that you actually are  pessimistic.

Many times we may find that hard to accept. If many people tell you
repeatedly you’re “negative” or “heavy“, chances are you are
pessimistic. Or maybe you’re misunderstood. Either way, I believe it’s
something to explore in yourself, for yourself.

Finding that a part of how you show up is pessimistic is not something

to blame yourself for, but it’s something to take note of so that you
can  make the necessary change.

Jod Kapilakan

Creator and Founder, Abundance No Limits

Be mindful and check your focus every time
you analyze a situation
Our negative thoughts are the reason for us being pessimistic. We
tend to think about the worst of a situation rather than the
positive side. All this is because of our pessimistic behavior. 

The first thing to do is eradicate all the negative thoughts. Be

mindful and check your focus every time you analyze a situation. 

Related: How to Get Rid of Negative Thoughts?

Engage yourself with positive thoughts and vibes. Attain this

by reading and listening about positivity in life. 

Surround yourself with optimistic people and try to stay happy

and laugh more. If you are in a decision-making situation, write down
both the pros and cons, it will help you make your decision better
without being a negative thinker.

Being pessimistic means not having joy and happiness for ourselves
and others. The lack of hope, appreciation, and positivity leads to such
an attitude.

Know what makes you pessimistic

To avoid being a pessimistic person, the first thing that you should be
aware of is what makes you that: your negative thoughts, jealousy,
depression, anxiety, and the inability to look at others well; external
circumstances like disbelief, distrust, and dishonesty can also lead to
the pessimistic behavior of a person.
Convert your negative thoughts to positive
ones
 Try to build trust and honesty for people

 Read books about being optimistic

 Listen to videos, podcasts, and tv shows that motivate you to

have a positive attitude

 Talk to family or friends or a counselor about tips for a positive

mindset

Cat Howell

Thought Leader and Business Mentor | Founder and Host, The

Flow Protocols Podcast

Start to understand your emotions

Emotions are sophisticated sensors that serve you best by
communicating to you if you’re out of alignment. When we feel
overwhelmed by stress, fear, anxiety, or depression, it can be easy to
view everything negatively.

At that moment, we are telling ourselves that the current perspective

doesn’t match up with the view of the individual we aspire to be. If you
feel pessimistic and unfulfilled in your lives or careers, we should listen
to that sign.

When we start to understand these emotions, that is the first step

to being more in tune with our intuition, and if you feel bad about
something, your gut is trying to tell you it’s not right. A rule to abide
by is that “you’re never aligned while working on something you’re
not passionate about.”

I poured three years of my life into going down a professional path

that was no longer fulfilling and kept telling myself “to suck it
up” because I gave more weight to my rational mind, resulting in
mental breakdown and depression.

To improve your mindset, ask yourself honestly –

 “What do I enjoy doing?” in your personal and professional life,

then go do a lot more of that.

 “What aren’t you passionate about that is bringing you this

negativity and not serving you?” Get rid of that or scale it back
and set boundaries.
Intuition is never rational, so don’t try to justify it, just follow the flow,
and you’ll find more freedom, fulfillment, and positivity will be brought
into your life, making you feel more optimistic.

Shokouh Shojai Hatch

 Wellness Coach | Co-founder, everlur

Rewrite the negative thought by first thanking

it
We stop being pessimistic by first becoming aware of the thoughts
that circle our minds throughout the day.

When we catch a negative thought, it is important not to judge

ourselves for it. Instead, we can rewrite the negative thought by first
thanking it for giving us contrast about how we want to see the world
around us. Then we can consciously choose a more optimistic
perspective of our situation.

For example, if we catch ourselves thinking that nothing in life ever

goes well for us, we can say to ourselves:

“I thank this thought for giving me clarity. I want to see a world where
everything is always working out for me. I know that this is a possibility
and that I have the power to change things that aren’t feeling good to
me anymore.”

Spend some time each day coming back to

your breath and think
Most of our thoughts are based on our past experiences. Such dictates
our beliefs around what will happen in the future. We need to
understand that we live in a world of infinite possibilities. Regardless of
our past, we have the power to change anything at any time.

Practicing gratitude also helps shift our perception of the things that
are going well in our lives. By spending some time each day coming
back to our breath and thinking about everything in our life that we
are grateful for, we can shift our negative perceptions to be more
optimistic and empowering.

Catherine Nikkel

Storyteller and Copywriter

Pessimism isn’t generally a conscious choice someone makes. It often
stems from and develops over time due to some form of traumatic
experience in their lives; loss of employment, injury, sickness, etc. 

Those who are pessimistic can come across as having a lack of distrust
in everything and everyone, they lack belief in themselves and others,
and they are commonly referred to as “those who see the glass half
empty.”

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help reverse that way
of thinking. These changes won’t happen overnight, and for most, it will
feel like an uphill battle. However, the journey to creating these new
habits is worth it. 
Focus on seeing the possibilities 
One of the most evident things about pessimists is that they see the
impossibilities instead of the possibilities. They see perceived obstacles
or difficulties instead of finding solutions. 

Find ways to become more solution-driven instead of obstacle-bearing.

Look for ways to go through the ‘impossible’  and celebrate the win in
the end. 

Practice more gratitude in your life

Another way to overcome pessimism is practicing more gratitude in
your life. A great way of doing this is to write down ten things you are
most grateful for every day. 

These might include:

 Food on your table 

 A roof over your head

 Conversations with great friends

 Clean, running water 

 A new book you purchased

A great habit is to create this list in the evening and make it the first
thing you read when you start your day. This is a perfect way
to condition your mind to see the greatness in the things we often
take for granted. 

Be more mindful in all areas of your life

Becoming more mindful in all areas of your life can also help combat
pessimism. Activities like journaling, yoga, and meditation are
excellent ways of achieving this. 

Journaling, specifically, provides you with an outlet to jot down your

thoughts and feelings and help you identify areas in which pessimism is
taking over your mind.  These entries don’t need to be long and drawn
out either — even 5 minutes a day to focus on your thoughts can be
optimal to moving away from pessimism. 

Overall, moving away from being pessimistic is  achievable for

everyone  with some commitment and a decision to curb this way of
thinking. 

Dean Kaplan

CEO, Kaplan Collection Agency

Face unfavorable circumstances and motivate

yourself to rise to the challenge
Pessimistic thinking needs to be put in check before it gets out of
control. Instead, you should face unfavorable circumstances and
motivate yourself to rise to the challenge of overcoming them. 

At the same time, blind optimism is not the answer, as this can lead
to not properly evaluating risks and placing your plans in jeopardy.  
Don’t expect to win 100 percent of the time
Even top athletes don’t expect to win every match they play in.
Pessimists tend to exaggerate problems, worry about unlikely threats,
and feel defeated in the face of obstacles.

Focus on the possibilities of life—not the

impossibilities
Optimists believe they will eventually prevail and see failures as
temporary setbacks before success. Pessimists need to focus on the
possibilities of life, not the impossibilities. 

Instead of letting your mind become overwhelmed by the

difficulties, visualize yourself overcoming them one by one
and emerging victorious. 

Banish negative words from your vocabulary

Nothing breeds pessimism more than negative words, so banish those
from your vocabulary.

Learn to see the positive side of things and talk about the
opportunities and possibilities in front of you. 

By looking at things from a different angle, your entire worldview can

change. Above all, don’t label yourself as a pessimist, as this will put
you in a box you don’t want to be in. 

Open your mind to the unexpected

Even in the darkest hour, a solution can emerge in a way you could
never have predicted. But if you close your mind with pessimism, you
may never see it. 

So be optimistic, believe in yourself and your journey, and you will see
that that life can be wonderful in surprising ways.

Amber Theurer

Chief Marketing Officer, ivee

Come up with potential solutions rather than

settling on setbacks
Come up with potential solutions rather than settling on the idea that
one setback makes you a failure. For instance, marketers are bound to
run into obstacles when trying to promote a business.

Rather than being hard on themselves if their marketing efforts do not

result in business growth, they can try to take a lesson out of whatever
issues they face. Perhaps they may realize that they need to put more
effort into SEO or that they need to think of more engaging ideas for
content.

While it is generally essential to feel your feelings, it is not productive

to make your feelings self-serving. You have to eventually problem-
solve to fix whatever issues caused you to become pessimistic in the
first place.

Adam Shlomi

Founder, SoFlo Tutors

Incorporate positive daily habits surrounding a

major goal
Having a pessimistic mindset can have an incredible impact on your
ability to achieve your dreams as an entrepreneur.

During my junior year of college, I suffered a horrible ankle injury

while camping with friends in West Virginia that required emergency
surgery and left me unable to put any pressure on my leg with the
possibility of never walking again.

I could have easily let the uncertainty of the situation leave me in a

perpetual state of negativity, but I gave myself time to reflect, speak
with those around me, and incorporate positive daily habits surrounding
a major goal.

Our neural connections impact how we view the world around us, so
leading your mind towards something positive can help distract you
from the negatives and start finding solutions for moving forward.
I chose to use my time on bed rest to focus on something I enjoyed
and used my experience to build my view of the future, which led me
to establish my business and find my passion.

It just goes to show that your perspective is everything and it cannot be

found by lingering in the past.  As Winston Churchill once said, “you
must see the opportunities in every difficulty.”

Julie Ann Ensomo

Founder, Adaptable Mama
I used to be one. Until I started doing the following:

Celebrating small improvements

When I started my website, it was easy to look at how far and how
long it would still take me to have this much traffic, money, etc. But I
started to look at small, incremental improvements, which certainly
changed my perspective! 

I became optimistic about my efforts, and I now only think of long-

term goals and look at incremental improvements because I know this
compound effort would bring me to my goals, slowly but surely.

Listen to inspiring podcasts

They are my drug against pessimism, which still creeps in sometimes.
When I fill my brain with good thoughts, optimistic opinions, and
sometimes, pragmatic views from podcasters or people that inspire
me, I no longer have the space in my brain, nor the excuse, to become
a pessimist.

Practicing the art of gratitude

The simple thought of my family and loved ones still physically,
mentally, and financially okay, even though there’s still a pandemic, is
enough for me to stay optimistic. 

So look at the important things to you, focus on them, and be grateful

to avoid thinking pessimistic views.

Stop hanging out with pessimists

You’re the average of the five people you spend your time with. So if
you’re friends with a lot of pessimists, you’ll definitely become one. 

Look for more people who have a more positive outlook in life
and stop befriending those who will bring you down.

Michelle Devani

Founder, lovedevani
Circulate positive thinking for your nightmares
and hurdles
Most of the sayings are true that the more you get older, the more
you want something that exceeds your expectations. Thus, most of us
wish to bring ourselves back from the past and hope to remain as a
child wherein there are no worries and struggles about what tomorrow
awaits. 

It was all about pure happiness without pessimism. However, life is just
like that. We cannot control it, and all we have to do is embody that
moment. 

As a business owner, I understand everyone does not forget their

traumatic experiences from the past, but we should forgive and stop
seeing things indifferently even without trying them.

That’s why it’s essential to unleash yourself from the dark. Circulate
positive thinking for your nightmares and hurdles. 

Stop overthinking
Next, stop overthinking, which brings you more stress. Sometimes
overthinking makes someone have difficulties with their sleep and life
interpretations, which leads to pessimism.

Related: How to Stop Overthinking Everything

Therefore, try to listen to music and distract yourself from new activities
that will benefit you. It could be exercise, art crafts, cooking, and more. 
Limit your trust issues and have someone to
vent out on
Lastly, limit your trust issues and have someone to vent out on what’s
on your mind. It helps you feel lighter and drives you to better
ideas. Remember, you are not alone with your battles, so make it
count.

April Maccario

Founder, AskApril
Optimists and pessimists coexist in the workplace. If you’re asked who
you’ll go to, I’m betting the optimistic individual will get the most
votes.

I know that having a pessimistic mindset is unhelpful because it simply

creates negative energy in the office. However, performing healthy
habits might help you stop being pessimistic.

Change how you think so that you can change

how you speak
In my experience, instead of thinking negative and unhealthy
thoughts, change how you think so that you can change how you
speak. Everything will begin with how you think, so start there.
Surround yourself with positive people since it will improve you,
especially since the people you are surrounded by have the most
power over you. Most importantly, instead of tackling the
problem, focus on solutions.

Ian Sells

CEO and Founder, RebateKey

People who see the glass half empty may think that it’s just their
hardwiring that led them to be this way. However, like everything
else, everything is learned and, therefore, can be unlearned.

Be aware of your thought distortions and

triggers
Being pessimistic is a learned behavior. Become more aware of the lens
you’re using to view the world. Most of the time, pessimism is triggered
by certain events. Be mindful of such events.

For example, you’re given by a boss you look up to with a task. You
begin anticipating that things will turn out badly, start catastrophizing,
or measure yourself up to really high standards.

All of these are cognitive distortions or unhealthy thought patterns that

are triggered by you being given a task or being trusted by a person
you look up to.
Challenge your thoughts and see whether
they’re rational
Not because you had a certain thought does it mean that it’s correct.
Thoughts are simply thoughts. Challenge your thoughts and see
whether they’re rational.

Sally Stevens

Co-founder, FastPeopleSearch.io
Pessimism doesn’t arise from having bad days or simply getting
disappointed. More than anything, pessimism is a state of mind where
one constantly views things from a negative point. 

Being a pessimist can suck the soul out of everything within your
immediate environment. This means that your workmates, family, and
friends will be affected in one way or the other by your negative views
all the time. 

Focus your energy on the positive things in

your life
Being grateful for something is the antithesis of pessimism. Ultimately,
pessimists will always emanate from a focus on things you lack instead
of being thankful for those you have. 
Creating a gratitude list allows you to focus your energy on the
positive things in your life rather than sticking with the negative ones,
as is often the case with pessimism. 

Find an outlet for the negative energy

Outlets are crucial to maintaining your sanity. Ultimately, all thoughts
turn out into actions. Negative thoughts bring out negative actions,
while the positive ones do the exact opposite. 

An outlet that allows you to vent your feelings onto an object should
always be within your plan. Taking up boxing, painting, long hikes, or
anything that will enable you to burn off the energy is quite important. 

Richard Lubicky

Founder, Real People Search

Change and modify thoughts to overcome

pessimism
Philosophy and religions have given space to pessimistic attitudes.
And in recent decades, even psychology and science have done the
same. The big problem is that pessimism and a happy and fulfilled life
rarely go together.
I have suffered a lot with pessimism, but I learned to change and
modify my thoughts to overcome pessimism and invested a lot to
learn how to be more optimistic.

I noticed that most pessimistic thoughts are repetitive, and as a result,

they quickly become automatic. To avoid this, always question
whether a certain bad thought makes sense and assess the
chances that it will come true.

Keep in mind that pessimism is just a way of reading the information

we receive around the world.

Manage expectations to avoid frustration

Excessive expectations can bring a lot of frustration, especially
when things don’t go as expected. A person who is constantly
frustrated ends up developing a pessimistic mindset, always expecting
the worst of things and people.

Related: How to Let Go of Expectations & Why It’s Important

I started analyzing everything realistically on solid grounds with a

2+2=4 formula and managed my expectations to avoid frustration
leading to pessimism.

Lynda Fairly 

Co-founder, Numlooker
The cold and sometimes harsh emotional environment makes it very
hard to keep things in perspective, especially if you have a pessimistic
disposition. While this may seem impossible for some people, it’s
often possible with time and practice.

But let’s be honest, because we’re not all made of sunshine and
rainbows — some days just make it more difficult than others.
Sometimes, your outlook is so bad that it’s hard to keep from getting
frustrated when you don’t get the attention you crave or the
confidence you deserve.

Build confidence and have something to look

forward to
Lack of confidence and ambition can stem from many sources, but
lack of confidence tends to be one of the first things to go with age.
When you’re not sure what your prospects are or what you have to
offer, it’s nice to have something to look forward to.

Learn the difference between being pessimistic

and realistic
There is a difference between dwelling on problems and admitting
that they may even out in the end.

Your outlook will make a big difference in how you act toward others
and how successful your life will be, so don’t be afraid of mistaking
pessimism for realism.

Stop worrying about everything to death

This can be an extremely difficult step for many people, especially
those who tend to worry over everything.

We’ve all been there — when you think that the world has ended, you
start making a list of all the things that could go wrong and then
constantly add more things to it. It’s a problem we can all learn from.

Tim White

CEO and Founder, MilePro

Journal your wins relish them

It’s far easier to forget winning moments than forget embarrassing or
humiliating moments. That’s why it’s important to journal about your
wins.

It not only helps you to notice them and be able to go back to the
feeling of that moment, but it helps you to process your feelings at the
moment and relish them.

If you get in the habit of doing this, these memories will stay sharper
and clearer, and you can look forward with optimism towards your
next win!

Engage in daily positive self-talk

Habits yield results; it’s just true! So start pumping yourself up every
morning. Soon this positive self-talk habit will be second nature and
lead to a more optimistic outlook.

Matt Woods

Co-Founder and CEO, SOLD.com

Keep moving forward and stay motivated

It helps when you have a big goal to work towards that you are truly
passionate about. Looking towards this north star will give you more
of a reason to maintain a positive attitude.

I have learned that this is definitely true of entrepreneurship; dwelling

in mishaps or mistakes does not help with progress. The only other
option is to keep moving forward and stay motivated.

For instance, if you had a particular sales goal for the past month and
did not reach it, you can look back at your marketing analytics to
determine what strategies to eliminate and which to capitalize on
more.

Problem-solving is much more helpful than getting too down on

yourself. Being pessimistic only keeps your mind in the past rather
than allowing you to stay in the present or look ahead. If you consider
how, logically, pessimism is simply not productive, this can help you to
snap out of that mindset.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Signs of a Pessimist? 
Pessimism is a personality trait that can make it difficult for individuals
to see the bright side of things, leading to a chronic state of
disappointment, frustration, and sadness. If you suspect that someone
close to you is a pessimist, here are some signs to look out for:

• Negative thinking: Pessimists tend to see the worst in any situation.

They often focus on the potential drawbacks and challenges and
overlook the positive aspects. This type of thinking can lead to feelings
of hopelessness and despair.

• Low self-esteem: Pessimists tend to have a negative view of

themselves. They may feel that they are inadequate or unworthy and
may not believe in their own abilities.

• Avoidance of new experiences: Pessimists may avoid trying new

things because they believe they will fail or the outcome will not be
positive. This can lead to a limited and unsatisfying life.

• Expectations of failure: Pessimists expect that things will not turn

out well and that they will not be able to achieve their goals. This
mindset can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, where individuals do not
try their best or give up too soon.

• Depression and anxiety: Pessimism can lead to feelings of

depression and anxiety. People with a negative outlook on life may
experience a sense of hopelessness and fear, making it difficult to
enjoy life or participate in activities.

• Difficulty expressing positive emotions: Pessimists may struggle

to express positive emotions, such as joy, happiness, and excitement.
They may also have trouble recognizing positive emotions in others.

Remember that pessimism is a trait that can be changed with effort

and support. Encouraging positive thinking and building self-esteem
can help individuals overcome their negative outlook and lead a more
fulfilling life.

What Causes a Person to Be Pessimistic? 

These are several factors that can contribute to a person’s pessimistic
outlook, including:

• Nature: Some people may have a genetic predisposition to be more

pessimistic.

• Nurture: A person’s environment, including childhood experiences

and relationships, can contribute to the development of pessimism.

• Trauma: Traumatic experiences, such as abuse, neglect, or loss, can

lead to negative thoughts and emotions that can shape a person’s
outlook on life.

• Cognitive patterns: Negative thinking patterns, such as rumination,

overgeneralization, and magnification, can also contribute to
pessimism.

• Chronic stress: Prolonged exposure to stress can cause a person to

become more pessimistic and anxious.
• Mental health: Certain mental health conditions, such as depression
and anxiety, can also lead to pessimistic thinking.

While some degree of pessimism is normal, excessive and persistent

pessimism can have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life and
well-being. Seeking help from a mental health professional can be
beneficial in managing and reducing pessimism.

Is Being a Pessimist Toxic?  

Yes, pessimism can be toxic if it negatively affects one’s mental health
and well-being, as well as relationships with others. Chronic pessimism
can lead to feelings of hopelessness, depression, and decreased
motivation, impacting a person’s ability to enjoy life and pursue their
goals. 

On the other hand, a healthy dose of realism and skepticism can be

beneficial in preventing disappointment and protecting oneself from
negative outcomes. The key is finding a balance and not allowing
pessimistic thoughts to consume one’s life. 

In conclusion, being a pessimist can be toxic if it becomes excessive

and debilitating, but a realistic and balanced outlook can be beneficial.

How Do I Change From Pessimist to Optimist? 

Changing your mindset from a pessimistic to an optimistic one
requires effort and dedication, but it is possible. Here are some steps
to help you get started:

• Practice gratitude: Make a daily habit of listing things you’re

grateful for, no matter how small they may seem. This helps shift your
focus away from negative thoughts and towards positive ones.
• Reframe your thoughts: Instead of thinking, “I can’t do this,” try
thinking, “I can learn to do this.” This simple change in wording can
help you view challenges as opportunities for growth and
improvement.

• Surround yourself with positivity: Spend time with people who

have a positive outlook on life, read uplifting books, and watch
inspiring movies.

• Focus on solutions, not problems: When faced with a challenge,

focus on finding a solution instead of dwelling on what’s wrong.

• Set achievable goals: Having something to work towards can give

you a sense of purpose and boost your confidence.

• Cultivate mindfulness: Practice being present in the moment and

focusing on your senses. This can help reduce stress and anxiety.

Remember, change takes time, but with consistent effort, you can
develop a more optimistic outlook on life.

How Do Pessimists Deal With Stress?

Pessimists often deal with stress by using negative coping
mechanisms, such as withdrawing from situations or engaging in
unhealthy habits like substance abuse or overeating. They may also
ruminate on the stressor and focus on worst-case scenarios, leading to
increased anxiety and a sense of helplessness. 

To effectively deal with stress, pessimists should focus on developing a

more positive outlook and engage in stress-reducing activities such as
exercise, meditation, or therapy. Pessimists need to seek support from
 friends, family, or a mental health professional to develop healthy
coping strategies and improve their overall well-being.

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The Editors

10 Daily Tips for a Happier Life

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