The Optimist Creed

How The Optimist Creed Reprogrammed My Life (And How It Can Change Yours Too)

From Hopeless Immigrant to Motivational Speaker

When I came to the U.S., I had no money.
No English.
No connections.

The odds were stacked against me.
Success felt impossible.

I was born in a remote Haitian village where most didn’t believe I would survive.
Poverty, disease, and hopelessness were all I knew.

Still, I believed.
This country, I thought, could offer more.
It was the land of opportunity.

Discovering The Optimist Creed by Christian D. Larson

Everything shifted the day I came across something powerful:
The Optimist Creed by Christian D. Larson.

It wasn’t just words.
It was a declaration.
A mindset.
A new way to live.

I memorized it.
Recited it daily.
And soon, it began to reshape how I thought and acted.

What Is The Optimist Creed?

The Optimist Creed is a set of 10 powerful promises that train your mind for positivity, resilience, and purpose.

Here’s the full text:

📜 The Optimist Creed

Promise yourself:

  • To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

  • To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

  • To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

  • To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

  • To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

  • To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

  • To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

  • To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

  • To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

  • To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

How I Used It to Rewire My Mindset

I used to complain, blame, and live in fear.
This creed taught me to speak life into my situation.

I stopped focusing on lack.
I started focusing on possibility.

I repeated the creed every day.
And slowly, it became truth in my subconscious mind.

Why it works:
The subconscious doesn’t know the difference between imagination and reality.
What you feed it repeatedly, it begins to believe.

That’s why affirmations—especially structured ones like this—work.
They reprogram your beliefs.

Joining Optimist Clubs and Giving Back

Later, I discovered Optimist International Clubs across the U.S.
I began attending meetings.

What shocked me?
Busy, successful people made time to uplift others.

That was foreign to me.
Back in Haiti, survival came first.
Volunteering? That was rare.

I also learned about Lions Club, Rotary, and Kiwanis.
All driven by one goal: helping others.

When I became a motivational speaker, I gave back.
I spoke at those clubs pro bono.
It was my way of honoring what they gave me.

The Green Card That Carries a Message

The Optimist Creed Green Card

When I became a U.S. citizen, they took my green card.
I asked to keep it as a keepsake. They said no.

So I made my own.

I created a neon green plastic card.
One side had a summary of my message.
The other side had The Optimist Creed.

I’ve given away thousands of those cards.
I used to close every speech with the creed.
It became a part of me.

Why You Should Memorize It Too

If you’re feeling stuck, anxious, or overwhelmed—start here:
Memorize The Optimist Creed.
Say it daily.
Let it work on your mindset from the inside out.

You don’t have to believe it right away.
Just say it.
The shift will come.

Download the PDF version to print and frame.

Key Takeaways

  • The Optimist Creed is a mindset tool, not just a quote.

  • Repeating it can rewire your subconscious mind.

  • It helped me shift from hopelessness to purpose.

  • Structured affirmations are powerful for personal growth.

  • This is a free, simple, daily practice that can change your life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Who wrote The Optimist Creed?
A: Christian D. Larson, an early 20th-century writer and teacher of metaphysics and New Thought.

Q: Why does repeating affirmations like The Optimist Creed work?
A: Repetition influences the subconscious mind, which controls much of our behavior. Over time, consistent input shapes internal beliefs.

Q: Can The Optimist Creed help with stress or anxiety?
A: Yes. The creed promotes focus on positivity, growth, and self-control, which are known to reduce stress levels.

Final Thought: Start With One Line

Don’t overwhelm yourself.
Start with one promise from the creed.
Repeat it daily.
Build from there.

And if you’ve experienced the power of The Optimist Creed, I want to hear your story.
Drop it in the comments below.

I highly encourage you to join Optimist International. It’s a fantastic organization to be part of, and I love their mission to spread optimism.

Let’s uplift each other.