Half empty gaze
A bit gloomy when you consider my sunny counterparts. The optimists who think everything will turn out well and hunky dory in every situation. We look at the upper half of the glass, but we see the brimming, which is in slow progress.
My approach would be with enough preparation but with a pessimism that does not reek of a pull that might weigh me down. This interestingly leads to packing some extra dresses when on a trip, or for every possible scenario, even on a day trip. The bags can be heavier, and the mind could be occupied with possible twists and turns and strategies to counter them, but the glory of the end goals would never haze them. It may not be the destination, but anything that is in between is too appealing.
Some of us function better with this defensive pessimism, which makes us feel that things can go either way, at any time, and that preparations to handle are always in or are in progress. It’s not about wallowing in pity or fear but of preparation and anticipation. A bit gloomy when you consider my sunny counterparts. The optimists who think everything will turn out well and hunky dory in every situation. We look at the upper half of the glass, but we see the brimming, which is in slow progress.
In most cases, expectations are very low, and hence, everything feels like a bonus when there is an upside. And if there is a downside, there is very little wallowing and refocusing needed, too, as the steps are smaller and thought of. Pivoting becomes easier.
This helped in the work front; you won’t just build it and expect everyone to buy it/endorse it. You continuously ask questions about who could want this product at this cost. Sometimes, I have to wonder internally about the above, too. Your sales team or product team passionately intends to sell it as if that is only the product the customer was waiting for after the first iPhone release. The interdependent teams might find you as a skeptic or cynic who pokes holes in their otherwise perfect product, and there would be many unanswered questions floating around. You would be perceived as a naysayer, not a “yes- boss.” So, almost alone, but not at the top, though.
Another aspect of this preparation-intensive approach is that at home or work, you might have to do most of it alone as you believe it’s the right approach and others don’t. The product comes out with a lag, but most times, it’s more adaptable and can be pivoted as per feedback loops.
Is it a voice of doom, or is it building resilience in the process? I have observed that realists are generally rewarded in the long term. In our cases, failure almost feels like a plot twist.
Accepting the inner pessimist, staying as far away from nauseating positivity.
