An effective counselor can also help someone develop a stronger self-esteem, by offering new insights into an individual's personality. Qualities perceived as personal weaknesses may sometimes be revealed as strengths that have helped the person survive. Some researchers feel that a positive outlook can be even more important than a realistic one when it comes to coping successfully. One study looked at personalities of men who had survived a heart attack. Optimists had much better long-term survival rates than pessimists.
Optimists tend to look at problems as a challenge rather than a barrier.
They focus on opportunities and on what lies ahead rather than mistakes of the past. Many base their optimism on religious faith. Others simply have an enduring belief that the future will hold better times. Coping with difficulties often requires the ability to shift gears. A job layoff or a broken heart is better endured by an individual who can plan for a future with multiple viable outcomes.