I wonder how ‘glass half full’ vs. ‘half empty’ affects productivity

Is your glass half empty or half full? Procrastination is said to be endemic in our lives. Overcoming inertia plagues us and is especially painful when living in an achievement-oriented society where personal worth is frequently measured by accomplishments: how much education do you have; how much are you paid; how much is in your bank account?

The 2002 Nobel Prize in economic sciences was won by Daniel Kahneman, largely for his work with the late Amos Tversky on the cognitive biases that humans share; among these is something known as “the framing effect.” This occurs when people make choices based on whether they perceive outcomes as positive or negative – in other words, will you gain or lose something as a result of your actions.

Prospect theory was developed based on this effect to provide a better understanding of people’s preferences, which were previously explained by economists using something called “utility functions” that measured a “util” (whatever that is). While utils fit well with mathematical reasoning they did not represent experienced reality, which was the whole point of Kahneman’s work. But, while prospect theory has been shown to have some validity, it is at the same time disheartening because it suggests that we are doomed – because of our aversion to losses – to lead unfulfilled lives.

Kahneman claims that people are more prone to avoiding losses than seeking gains, which means that they tend to be risk-averse or see their glass as half empty. Pessimism triumphs over optimism and suggests that it is better to do nothing rather than attempt something and fail. If people are biased toward inaction – because the status quo feels safer – then it is hardly surprising that our lives are less fulfilling than they could or even should be.

If only we decided to see the true potential that comes with filling the glass rather than emptying it.

We gain every time we add to life’s grail, and the more we do so the greater our accomplishment. While missteps will inevitably occur, these are easily offset by small victories along the way; and consequently, our glass becomes ever fuller.

Let’s consider Daniel Kahneman’s insights into human nature, but not be afraid of them. Let his theory inspire us to do something! By acknowledging that our glass is half full we recognize that it can only get more full. It also means that the only failure in life is not trying. Or, as a Latin proverb states, “fortune smiles on the brave, and frowns upon the coward.”

Ron Messer holds six university degrees and teaches at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, located in Vancouver, British Columbia. He does not think of himself as a writer, but rather as an interpreter of ‘big ideas’ and how they apply to our personal lives. He can be reached at ron.messer@kpu.ca

If only we decided to see the true potential that comes with filling the glass rather than emptying it