Chapter 2: The Problem Itself

The Chronic Optimist's Guide to Navel-Contemplation

In the previous chapter, we established the importance of being optimistic. But let's get real for a second. Being a chronic optimist can be a real problem. I mean, have you ever found yourself stuck in a never-ending cycle of "this too shall pass" only to realize that, no, this is actually going to take a while?

We'll explore the paradox of the chronic optimist in the next chapter, but for now, let's focus on the symptoms:

• Excessive use of positive self-talk
• Inability to acknowledge the obvious
• Tendency to see patterns where there aren't any
• Unrelenting need to make everything into a game

Don't worry, we have solutions for these problems. Or, at the very least, we have some witty observations about them.

Chapter 3: The Solution Itself Chapter 5: Skeptical Workarounds