Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of celebrating small wins and maintaining an optimistic outlook despite the biological tendency to focus on losses, using historical examples of pessimists being proven wrong and the personal anecdote of the author's own achievements.

Abstract

The author of the article reflects on the human inclination to weigh losses more heavily than gains, advocating for the celebration of small victories to counterbalance this natural bias. By highlighting historical instances where renowned pessimists, including Einstein, underestimated future possibilities, the author underscores the fallibility of a purely realistic or pessimistic perspective. The narrative shifts to the personal journey of the author, who has been riding a bike for over 1,000 days, symbolizing their commitment to a dream and the practice of appreciating life's small wins. The article suggests that optimism, rooted in gratitude, can lead to a more fulfilling life, even in the face of potential setbacks.

Opinions

Pessimism, often masquerading as realism, can lead to significant oversights and missed opportunities, as evidenced by historical predictions about nuclear energy, air delivery services, the telephone, and long-range aircraft.
Optimism is linked to gratitude and the recognition of the numerous advantages and luxuries of modern life that are frequently taken for granted.
The author personally values the celebration of small wins, such as their acceptance into Medium's Partner Program and their consecutive days of bike riding, as milestones that contribute to a sense of progress and achievement.
Comparing oneself to others is deemed unproductive, as there will always be someone with greater accomplishments; instead, individuals should focus on and celebrate their own successes, regardless of their scale.
Despite the realistic possibility of future bike accidents,

Spectacular Pessmists Failures and The Art of Celebrating Small Wins.

I’ve been riding my bike for over 1,000 days to keep this dream alive.

I hate it when pessimism is disguised as being realistic.

Scientifically speaking, loss impacts us more than gain. Losing 50$ has a more significant impact on us than finding 50$. We must try to celebrate wins to balance this skewed biological scale.

Emphasizing our small wins is critical to finding the patience to sustain our long-term games.

Pessimists are realistic but often wrong

Einstein was being realistic when he said:

“There is not the slightest indication that nuclear energy will ever be obtainable. It would mean that the atom would have to be shattered at will.” — Albert Einstein, 1932

In 1957, the first nuclear electricity-generating power plant produced 60 MW of energy.

Yale undergrad Fred Smith proposed overnight commercial air delivery in 1965. His professor graded it with a “C” saying “In order to earn better than a ‘C’, the idea must be feasible”.

FedEx was founded in 1971 proving the concept’s viability and his pessmistic professor wrong.

The president of Western Union in 1876 told Grahm Bell, the inventor of the telephone, after declining his $100,000 ( 2 million today ) offer to its rights: “What use could this company make of an electrical toy?”

Emarits Airline CEO Tim, in 2004, saw no future for long-range fuel-efficient flights, saying: “We’ve done the math… It doesn’t work.”

Two years later, Boeing would deliver its 777 long-range model with a range of 8,555 nautical miles (Over 15,000 km).

Optimists are grateful but often careless.

Distill happiness, and you’ll get peace. Distill optimism, and you’ll find gratitude.

It’s all about realizing the terrific hand that we’ve been dealt.

I can find over a million people who will trade their lives for yours right this second, and that’s a severe understatement. Our modern-day lives are full of luxuries that no king’s wealth can acquire.

I’ve lived in 3rd world countries long enough to appreciate what people never think once, let alone twice about. Like traffic lights, safety, having more than one food option, and more.

I can’t sit here and fumble my lucky hand by being complacent. Noway!

I will dream up a better life and put in the reps to make it happen. I’ve lost thousands and broken my body numerous times.

Still, I will keep my head high and persevere, flawed and careless as I am.

You should, too.

Clap for yourself

This is me when I first got accepted into Medium’s Partner Program.

The bar might be low, but you bet that’s some fine Gin & Tonic.

Regardless of how unimpressive this seemed to the outside world. I was still all smiles all day. But it wasn’t always like that; I used to compare myself to others.

Then I realized how pointless it is since there will always be a bigger fish in the sea.

You can make a million dollars in a day, which the vast majority won’t see in their entire lifetime, and still feel Minuscule compared to the guy who made 13 billion dollars in 24 hours.

I’ve been riding my bike for over 1,000 days to keep this dream alive. I haven’t been in any accidents, luckily. It is realistic to say that, given enough time, I will get hit.

But until that happens, I’ll optimistically bet on another 1,000 accident-free days.