Research reveals that some people are apparently born optimistic -- such people naturally exude optimism to the utter bewilderment of the rest of the population.

In this time of high economic uncertainty, is maintaining an optimistic outlook possible or even warranted?

You don't have to go far to ascertain what's wrong with the world. Plop yourself down in front of a newspaper, the Internet, or the evening TV news, and you will get plenty of evidence. The media, by its nature, tends to cover what goes wrong in society: the unemployment rates, the Federal deficit, and so on.

Optimism in one's career translates to much more than simply having a pleasant day or cordial relationships with co-workers. Years ago, a Korn-Ferry study, among many others, revealed that the optimistic worker had a significantly better chance of promotion and greater career-long earnings.

Although it seems as if prevailing circumstances dictate how we will act and how we will feel,
probing slightly deeper shows that it can be a false cause-effect relationship. Brain scan analysis reveals that harboring positive thoughts literally is healthier for your brain than negative thoughts.

For the young professionals, optimism in the workplace is an invaluable trait, with considerable business as well as social advantages. Making friends faster and easier adds to the enjoyment and enrichment of life.

Optimists have the proclivity to engage in the passionate pursuit of their hobbies, and often their enthusiasm is infectious. Those who have the ability to enjoy the "journey" as well as arriving at the "destination" are less frustrated and more balanced.