Looking on the Bright Side of Law? Learn from psychology researchers how you can balance your well-honed lawyerly pessimism with a spirit of personal optimism. IT IS A TRUTH UNIVERSALLY ACKNOWLEDGED (IN PSYCHOLOGY CIRCLES, ANYWAY) THAT OPTIMISTS HAVE A BETTER TIME. Dr. Martin Seligman, director of the Penn Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, has observed that moderately optimistic people generally experience better life outcomes than their similarly-talented pessimistic peers: “Optimists do much better in school and college, at work and on the playing field. They regularly exceed the predictions of aptitude tests. When optimists run for office, they are more likely to be elected.” ¹
In every profession, optimists are more successful in life than their talents alone might suggest. Except for lawyers. Surveying law students at the University of Virginia,
Dr. Seligman’s research team found that pessimism was associated with better grades, earning a position on law
Ample empirical evidence, gathered over decades in
review, and with securing better post-graduation job offers.
a wide range of professional and academic settings,
Unable to discover a scientific explanation, Dr. Seligman
demonstrates that optimists are less likely than pessimists
speculated that the profession uniquely rewards a
to be depressed and anxious, even when confronted with
negative mindset.
financial setbacks. They earn better grades, enjoy better health, and demonstrate more tenacity in the face of adversity.² They’re less likely to smoke or become addicted
“In law,” he said, “pessimism is considered prudence.” ⁴
to alcohol and drugs. They fall in love more easily and
If you’re a lawyer, this observation will come as no surprise;
save more money for retirement.³
after all, building out a robust set of worst-case scenarios is fundamental to success in practice.
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