If they expect failure then they will put less effort into a task and are more likely to give up as soon as an obstacle appears. Many studies have shown that an optimistic outlook on life leads to less incidences of postpartum depression and distress, and greater subjective well being and life satisfaction. It has also been positively correlated with goal setting and achievement and negatively with goal abandonment and resignation to fate. People who are optimistic will often see more opportunities than those who are pessimistic. They are able to put problems behind them and take a positive view of the future.
Optimism is an attitude to life that prevents people from becoming apathetic, or giving up hope.
Their belief that things can only get better is often a tonic for those around them. Their optimistic view of the world can be infectious and influence those they interact with. Through evolution we have developed a species-wide tendency to overestimate moderately, the odds in our favour. In other words, optimism is a biological phenomenon. It seems that optimism has been central to the process of evolution.