The Optimist Creed Took Me From Hopeless Immigrant to Speaking On Fortune 500 Companies

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 is 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. Soon, it began to reshape how I thought and acted.

What Is The Optimist Creed?

It iss a set of 10 powerful promises that train your mind for positivity, resilience, and purpose.

Here’s the full text:

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 Mind

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. Simply put, I started speaking life over my life.

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.

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

I was surprised to discover so many busy and successful professionals that made time to uplift others. They all have one mission: Spread optimism around the world.

That was foreign to me. Back in Haiti, survival came first for us. 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 Story of the Green Card That Carries a Message

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 decide to make my own green card. As you can see, unlike the green card, this one is really green.

One side had a summary of my the keynote I deliver on stages. The other side had The 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

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

You don’t have to believe it right away. Just trust the mind knows what to do with it.

In no time, you will experience a shift. You will begin to think positively automatically.

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.

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.