Perhaps you are actually too pessimistic. Examine yourself and see if following their example might help you to develop a better outlook on life and situations. While you don’t have to take it to their level, try to find the positive side of situations. This isn’t just a characteristic of the overly optimistic, but also of effective problem-solving. [2] X Research source
Overly optimistic people can help explore alternative solutions to a problem because they are trying to find a way to make everything work out okay. Deep in all that fluffy optimism there could also be great gems of wisdom and insight.
Explain to them that while optimism can definitely be a good thing, being overly optimistic can actually cause problems. For example, being overly optimistic when making a risky investment (“I know this horse is going to win!”) can lead to financial ruin. Or as an extreme example, being too optimistic that an abusive spouse will stop can eventually lead to serious injury or worse. Talk to them in a respectful way in private. Try saying, “I admire how you always see the good in everything! I am a bit concerned, though, that your optimistic outlook might have negative consequences in this situation”
For example, if a co-worker is sure that a new workflow plan will solve all the company’s problems, ask them about budget, staff, product, process, etc. You could say for example, “That sounds like a great goal! What specifically will we need to do and have to reach it? Do we have those resources? What is the timeline? What steps do we need to take? How likely is it that we can complete all of the tasks needed for this to work? ”
For example, if your friend is heavily in debt, yet still optimistically planning an extravagant vacation, talk to him about some more economic alternatives that can be just as rewarding. Try saying, “That sounds exciting! Have you considered any other options? Like, what about…”
Without being rude, try not to sit next to them or loiter in places you know they frequent. For example, if you are at a dinner party with them, try to sit at the other end of the table so that it’s not so easy for them to talk to you.
You don’t have to run when you see them coming, but try excuse yourself when they come around. For example, you can politely say hello and then quickly walk away (as if you have somewhere to be) before they start telling you about all the wonderful things that can happen. If you are at your desk and see them coming, frown at your monitor, shuffle some papers, type a few lines, give them a quick smile and then go back to frowning and typing.
This doesn’t mean ignore them completely. That is rude. It does mean that you don’t have to hang on to their every word. For example, if you end up on the elevator with them and they start excitedly telling you how great life is, it’s okay to smile slightly and nod a little while you mentally go over your to-do list. Sometimes, like when receiving feedback, ignoring the fluff just means looking through their euphemisms to see the heart of what they are saying.
