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Here Is Your Recipe for Optimistic Resilience

Adrian S. Potter
3 min readFeb 1, 2024

“…it doesn’t pay to get discouraged.”

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

The Secondhand Inspiration Project begins with a motivational quote and ventures wherever the creative path meanders.

Lucille Ball was a legendary American actress, comedian, and producer, known for her groundbreaking role as Lucy Ricardo in the TV sitcom “I Love Lucy.”

Ball began her career as a model before transitioning to acting in the 1930s. Her comedic talent and charisma led to a successful film career, but she cemented her legacy with the launch of “I Love Lucy” in 1951. The show, co-starring her real-life husband Desi Arnaz, became a cultural phenomenon and set new standards for television comedy. Ball’s contributions to the entertainment industry extended beyond acting; she was also a trailblazing businesswoman, becoming the first woman to head a major television production company, Desilu Productions.

Lucille Ball remains an enduring symbol of wit, humor, and trailblazing success in the entertainment world. Her quote -

“One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.”

-provides a recipe that highlights the importance of resilience, optimism, and staying busy in the face of challenges. Let’s reverse-engineer its main ingredients.

Don’t Get Discouraged

Setbacks and failures are a natural part of life. Allowing yourself to be disheartened by difficulties is counterproductive. Maintaining an upbeat outlook is crucial even during challenging times.

Photo by Lidya Nada on Unsplash

Keep Busy

Staying active and engaged in productive activities can be a homemade remedy for discouragement. Idle time may lead to negative thoughts or feelings, whereas keeping busy can provide a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

Make Optimism a Way of Life

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Adrian S. Potter
Adrian S. Potter

Written by Adrian S. Potter

Antisocial Extrovert · Writer and Poet, Engineer, Consultant, Public Speaker · Writing about self-improvement, gratitude, and creativity · www.adrianspotter.com

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Great advice. 👏

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