Today’s episode of the Heart-Centred Business Podcast might feel a little left of centre for a business show, but I promise—this conversation is powerful, and I’m bringing it right back to business results by the end. If you’re feeling low on optimism about the world, your future, your business, or even your community, first up, you’re absolutely not alone. But what if I told you that optimism, especially in chaotic times, is actually a competitive advantage?
Let’s go deeper into why optimism isn’t just wishful thinking—and how to harness it, even when the world feels like, well, a bit of a bin fire.
Let’s get optimistic, shall we?
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Why the World Feels Like It’s in Decline
Let’s start with the obvious: everything feels a little out of control right now. There’s chaos, there’s uncertainty. If you belong to a marginalised community or you’re not one of those billionaires in politicians’ pockets, it’s probably even harder to feel optimistic about your own future, let alone the future of your community or the planet.
If I asked a crowd “Is the world getting better or worse?” I’d bet a huge chunk would say “worse.” That belief is so common, it has a name: declinism. This isn’t just pessimism—the opposite of optimism—it’s the assumption that the whole world is declining. Here’s the kicker: even self-identified optimists can still believe the world is on a downward spiral. All the “evidence” we see seems to back that up.
But the truth? Both things are happening at once. There are areas getting worse, and others improving. It’s hard to even agree on basic facts as a group, so when it comes to something as massive as “the state of the world,” there’s no single answer.
Evidence That Breaks the Decline Narrative
Take climate change. Yes, climate change is serious. But did you know the number of deaths from climate change effects is actually declining? More people are surviving extreme weather events. The pace of climate change is still a problem (hello, scientists have been really clear on that), but the doom spiral you see in headlines doesn’t always reflect all the facts.
Another one: Inclusion and equality. Every new generation is more inclusive than the last, even though we see pushback, especially from older folks and certain political groups. Sometimes it feels like older people are resisting progress because it seems like they’re “losing out,” even if—statistically speaking—the older generations are wealthier, healthier, and better off than any before. But the perception is still that life is worse, especially compared to the past. That’s declinism in action.
And crime? The stats show that crime rates, in most places, are actually coming down. But turn on the news or scroll crime stories, and you’d think the opposite. Constant fear-mongering makes us believe things are getting worse, even when the data proves otherwise. Sure, there are exceptions, but focusing only on the negative feeds that all-or-nothing thinking—like, “it’s all going to hell anyway, what’s the point?”
Why Good News and Optimism Matter
Here’s something I do for myself: I actively seek out good news. I follow sites that share positive data and stories. For example, the move toward renewables is accelerating at a pace that would shock the climate change deniers—investment in renewables has exploded over the past decade, even as some of the loudest voices try to slow it down for personal profit.
Here’s why I’m sharing all this: when you’re bombarded with stories of decline, it’s far too easy to soak in pessimism until you feel like nothing you do matters. And, especially as a business owner, that feeling is a recipe for stuck-ness (or just giving up).
How Optimism Becomes a Business Advantage
Let’s bring this back to business. When you choose optimism—when you start looking for signs of things actually going well—you’ll notice your mindset shifts. Look for what’s working, and your brain will find it. If all you hear is “algorithms are terrible, organic reach is dead,” you’ll see bad metrics everywhere… even when, if you check your numbers, you might actually be growing (I’ve literally walked clients through this—numbers improving, but they’re still convinced things are getting worse).
Optimism isn’t about pretending problems don’t exist. It’s about refusing to be pulled under by a never-ending doom spiral. Ask yourself: does being stuck in negativity help you—or does it just hold you back from making any difference?
A Few Good News Stories
Let’s celebrate some unexpected wins. Did you know 70% of women who’ve tried AI tools have decided they’re not for them? Only 14% of men made the same call. While celebrities and big universities try to convince us we “have” to use AI (often to sell us something!), the data shows women are taking a more thoughtful approach, choosing not just what’s new or hyped, but considering the actual impact on their lives, families, and the world. I love hearing that—I’m in that crew too.
This isn’t about shaming AI users. Use what works for you! For me, I value using my own skills, and I’m wary of making things “easier” at the cost of losing my edge. If using AI makes my brain less capable of solving challenges, I’m just not interested. And that’s okay.
Optimism Changes How You Show Up
Actively looking for positive stories changes how you feel, and that ripples into everything you do. Optimism isn’t just a mindset—it actually makes you more magnetic. We all know that one person who brings everybody down with doom and gloom. Nobody wants to hang out with a black cloud. Bring optimism into your life, and you become the kind of person people want to spend time with—clients included.
And here’s where the magic really happens: optimism is a catalyst for action. If you believe your efforts can work, you’re far more likely to do the things that lead to results. For instance, research shows that people who see positive stories about young people in their community are twice as likely to volunteer or support youth programs, compared to those who only hear about crime and “problems with today’s youth.” Optimism creates a self-fulfilling prophecy—look for hope, act on it, and create more of what you want.
Make Optimism Your Edge
So let’s flip the headline: optimism is a massive competitive advantage for business owners. It’s a conscious act of defiance against a world that profits from keeping us anxious, hopeless, and stuck in endless consumption.
If you nurtured optimism—about yourself, your business, your community, the wider world—what would change? That’s my big question for this episode. Seriously, stop and think on it: what would transform if you were even just 10% more optimistic, consistently?
I believe the ripple effect would be huge. Show up with more hope, more belief, more positivity, and you impact your clients, your community, even your own actions—simply by choosing not to let the doom vortex win.
Community, Positivity, and a Dose of Defiance
If you want to see more people committed to positivity and progress in your feed, come follow me on socials so that you can get my optimistic, positive self in your newsfeed:
Facebook: facebook.com/tashcorbincoaching
Instagram: instagram.com/tashcorbin
PLUS come check out the Heart-Centred CEO Circle for the opportunity to join a space where you can spend more time with deeply optimistic people who want to make the world a better, more inclusive and connected place.
Find out more at: tashcorbin.com/ceocircle
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about pretending problems don’t exist or bypassing your real experiences. It’s about being defiant. About choosing hope, community, justice, and fairness… even when the headlines want us feeling small or overwhelmed.
Ready to turn up the optimism? Come join us, get the good stuff in your inbox and a crowd of people who want to help each other—and the world—shine a little brighter.
Until next time, I cannot WAIT to see you SHINE.
