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Optimism is a characteristic that is the basis of positive thinking.
It is a psychological resource that gives people a generalised expectancy that they will succeed in their endeavours. Expected success, in turn, gives people the will to expend effort to realise their goals. 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.