We're out of recession, so let's stop being so pessimistic. It'll do us good, and we might even live longer.

It’s official. We are out of recession. OK, so it may be marginal. It may well be possible that the growth of the past quarter will recede again in coming months. But for now, it’s official. We are out of the recession. Six words that should get us all feeling upbeat and optimistic about the future.

So why, despite this news, is there such a strong and enduring sense of pessimism? In the last week, since the news of economic growth was announced, I’ve heard nothing but downbeat forecasts for the future. Speaking to senior and fairly influential leaders in business reveals a consistent view that our troubles are set to continue for another few years. Apparently this will be a ‘double-dip’ recession, and we’re about to slide down the double-dip bit. And all positive indicators of recovery have been falsely propped up by cash injection anyway, so the recovery will soon evaporate with the VAT changes and higher interest rates. Everyone seems to have a view on the future, but it’s all rather negative.

So here’s a challenge. A simple challenge. Be optimistic. Be positive. Not mindlessly or vaguely hopeful, but focused and determinedly optimistic.

Psychologists have long distinguished between two distinct ways of looking at life. There’s optimism, and there’s pessimism. Pessimists tend to believe that negative events will last a long time; they see negative events as threatening and damaging, and believe that a bad experience could undermine everything in life. Facing the same situations, optimists see setbacks as temporary. They see a loss as an opportunity to learn. They are more resilient and determined. And they see a challenge as just that - a challenge. Something that can be overcome with effort and resolve. As Sir Alex Ferguson said after Andy Murray’s recent defeat at the Australian Open: 'I am always stronger after I have lost a game'.

And consider the side-effects of outlook. Pessimists, for instance, tend to give up more quickly and more easily than their optimistic counterparts. They feel depressed more frequently and will talk of stronger feelings of ‘helplessness’, in which nothing they try seems to work in their favour.

This isn’t meant to be patronising advice to a no-doubt informed and fairly hard-nosed readership. But I’m starting to feel that we need a wake-up call. It’s very easy, through fear of the unknown, to become caught in a wave of pessimism. Let’s face it: in a perverse way, it’s sometimes comforting to look on the bleak side. At least it doesn’t raise expectations.

But, in reality, pessimism perpetuates pessimism - whether that’s with your mates, your colleagues or, more importantly, the people who look to you for guidance and leadership. So perhaps now is the time to step back and make a conscious choice - to be more optimistic.

Incidentally, optimists also tend to live longer. So if you want to be around to see the next great recession, try to look on the bright side.


Stuart Duff is Head of Development at Pearn Kandola Business Psychologists