In the face of adversity, there is only optimism. In a survey YOU can take by Xerox called #ReturnOnOptimism, it helps you find your return on optimism score so you can work on finding and feeling optimistic in spite of world affairs.

This sponsored post is really intriguing because optimism is a trend right now. Have you noticed that everywhere you read, another story is being written on the topic? What Xerox has done is create a website, with a neat and graphically pleasing quiz to score your optimistic emotions. I’m generally optimistic; however, everyone needs a push now and again. (I share personal tips on how I get through negative vibes below.) Once you find your score, you can stick around the site and find tips and resources the experts suggest on bettering your emotional quotient. It’s pretty cool.

The differentiator for this story, though, is that you can take the quiz to see just how optimistic you are at work. Maybe you need to do a bit of work on boosting the happy vibes?

Read on and see what I did to get through a very trying time…

Find your Return on
Optimism
More than a glass half-full

Optimism is believing you can overcome big challenges. Feeling confident about your outlook and opportunities. Knowing that what you do makes a difference. Optimism fuels innovation and business success. And it can be measured.

The news around us has been shattering of late; yet to survive everyone must look inward into their presence to find strength to persevere. Just recently in the Sunday paper I get, an entire story was devoted to societal emotions. While the economy is upticking and unemployment is lower, the optimism quotient leaves much to be desired.

How do we manage to keep a level head in spite of all of this negativity? It’s a challenge for many, yet it’s critical to find the tricks. The reason I love this campaign is because I am now surfacing from five months of stress — the personal, family kind. It overshadowed my entire psyche and attitude.

To get through this time, here are some ways I sought:

• I have a network of amazing women I love in social media circles who were ultra supportive. I want to recognize them right here — Kaarina Dillabough, Jenn Whinnem, Neicole Crepeau, and Sharon Gilmour-Glover. When I was really down, they shared and lent strength; it boosted my spirits and pushed me through.
• Tennis. Hands down, my happiest times are on the court. The exhilaration of making a winner shot cross court forehand after nearly stumbling from the sprint to make the “get,” is what I love. Whacking a solid baseline shot as hard as I can also helps to alleviate stress. After 90 minutes, I’m usually smiling and the endorphins are flowing in positive fashion.
• Riding in the Mini. Bet you didn’t know I have an orange Mini convertible, didja? She’s gonna be 7 years-old with 23,000 miles. In four years, she will be passed down to kidlet. When I hop in the Mini to cruise and careen (yes, she take the corners amazingly) and curls flying, I feel hot and sexy (especially when I wear my orange lipstick and jacket, too!). There’s something about that feeling knowing you’re driving a cool car and everyone looks…it fuels optimism!
• Breathing, Chants and Manual Labor. My neighbor is excavating his swimming pool. Because I know manual labor is the best thing for stress relief, I went over and tossed huge chunks of concrete into the deep end of the pool to fill it in. Then I went over to shovel river rock from around the edge into the pool, too. As I was working up a sweat and grunting with the exertion, I was also exhaling and chanting, “Wisdom, Strength, Serenity, Courage.” It became a melodic rhythm as I exerted until exhausted.

Some people find that meditation is critical for their start to the day; others run miles and miles while still others take the dog for a long walk in the forest. Regardless of how you find ways to be optimistic, it’s critical you do.

We are not out of the woods as a world in strife; there is more to come and so that we can reduce the ugly around us, we need to find our inner core of optimistic behavior and character so we spread it to others who can feed off our strength.

What’s yours? Please share how you’re optimistic and let me know below. And, in case you didn’t know, this is a sponsored post by Xerox.

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