In the final edition of our Core Values Series, we asked our staff what “Cultivate Optimism“ means to them (including some gardening metaphors):
- The way to cultivate optimism is to meticulously prepare the ground with discipline, plant the kernel of an idea, remove the seeds of doubt, feed and water with attention and trust you will grow, regardless of the result.
- Cultivating optimism in architecture encourages breakthroughs in design because of the focus on what’s possible.
- Cultivating optimism within the firm can be compared to a garden which needs proper nutrition and sunlight to grow. When treated properly, it will produce fruit and become a value from which its creator benefits. If you don’t believe it will grow well from the start, it probably won’t.
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” -Winston Churchill
- One cultivates optimism by first, making optimism apparent in oneself through words and actions. Second, being mindful of opportunities to listen, show understanding and provide encouragement and growth to others. Individuals, organizations and even communities can be better for cultivating optimism.
- Architecture is an act of optimism: healing, learning and rehabilitative environments.
- Cultivating optimism is the part of our practice where we get to say “yes” as a matter of principle. It’s part of the Nacht & Lewis equation where we affirm ideas and the wide range of people who worked to make our projects into reality. This optimistic approach then ripples back to us with new and different opportunities to say “yes” again.
- When you design with optimism, you release a freedom to be more creative. Your design is not held down by self-induced limitations.
Catch up on our other posts in the series here: guided by integrity, design thoughtfully, deliver excellence and empower the team!
