Optimist

Pessimist

Positive Outlook Realistic Outlook
High Expectations – more likely to be disappointed Informed Expectations – rarely disappointed
Outgoing – expects everything to go perfectly Outgoing – is always prepared for anything
Fun – everything is wonderful Fun – parties like it’s the end of the world
Careless, inattentive, indifferent, assumes nothing to worry about Aware, alert, vigilant, applies continuous risk scanning
Good sense of humor if you like cheeriness Good sense of humor if you like dark gallows humor
Successful in careers that require perseverance and ingratiation Successful in careers that require critical thinking
Naïve, gullible, and easily taken advantage of Skeptical, critical, can’t be scammed
Useless in an emergency – is caught off guard Competent in an emergency – rarely surprised
Integrity – prepared to make compromises to achieve desired outcomes Integrity – pursues the “right thing” done the “right way”
Healthier and Happier – ignorance is bliss Accepts the risks of refusing to ignore reality
Productivity – schmoozing their way out of hard work Productivity – does the real work and never passes the buck
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