Happy New Year!

Whether or not you set goals or resolutions for the new year, there are things you’d like to accomplish and/or experience in 2025, and you probably have an idea in mind of how you’d like things to go in the upcoming year.

However, we know that things don’t always go the way we want them to go.

So, what do we do when that happens?

How we answer that question is ultimately what will make 2025 a “good” year.

One answer to the adversity we will undoubtedly face is to embrace “realistic optimism.”

Realistic optimism is the ability to be firmly planted in reality while also maintaining a belief that we will prevail despite our current reality. The Directorate of Prevention, Resilience, and Readiness of the U.S. Army adds the following: “Optimism, like pessimism, is a thinking style. You can learn, grow, and cultivate an optimistic mindset by following this formula: acknowledging reality as it is (even the bad) + have confidence you will prevail in the future + take control (through preparation, planning, and perseverance).

Demonstrating an optimistic mindset does not mean ignoring adverse circumstances. It means embracing the adversity while not being defined by it. It is believing in your ability to overcome challenges while embracing what you can control in any given circumstance.

In 2025, don’t let negative situations throw you off or divert you from your goals. Instead, use realistic optimism to persevere.

You can do it!