Learned Optimism is a well-researched model from Dr. Martin Seligman.

There are ways to increase optimism intentionally. One mechanism is explanatory style. We tend to see pessimists explain negative life events as permanent, pervasive, and personal whereas optimistic people explain them as temporary, local, and impersonal. By doing exercises to rewire explanatory style: consciously explaining positive events as permanent, pervasive, and personal and negative events as temporary, local, and impersonal — one can become more optimistic.

For example, there is a traffic accident and you are late to work. A pessimistic explanatory style would go I will never learn to be on time, I’m never on time for anything, I’m not dependable. A more optimistic style would still take accountability, but might say — next time I’ll leave a few minutes earlier and be on time, I was on time for most other commitments this week, and there was this unexpected traffic situation.

Another helpful protocol for enhancing mood and reinforcing optimism is the Best Possible Life exercise. ‣