If you were questioned during a critical interview about a glass of water filled half way to the top, would you say you saw the glass as half-full or as half-empty?  Most of us, wanting to portray a positive attitude, would answer, “Half-full, of course!”  But, are you really a ‘half-full’ person?  If you are a perfectionist, you might be a ‘closet half-empty’ person. 

The problem for the perfectionist is that the ideal glass (or situation) is never half-full.  The ideal glass is filled to the brim, or better yet, overflowing.  But, if the level of water in the glass represents reality, then everyone gets a glass with 50% water.  Unfortunately, the perfectionist sees the gap between ‘what is’ and ‘what could be’ as emptiness, therefore, the glass is half-empty!

Does what we expect of ourselves or of specific outcomes really make a difference?  What’s wrong with the ‘half-empty’ perspective?  After all, it would be irresponsible not to evaluate and mitigate risks.  Or consider Plan B (and C and D) when establishing a complex plan loaded with dependencies beyond reasonable control.  Turns out, planning for the worst could be considered both prudent AND pessimistic.  The expectation of an outcome makes a big difference in our enthusiasm and follow-through. 

For example, have you ever tackled a challenging puzzle or brainteaser?  At first, you work quickly with anticipation.  If you ‘believe’ it can be solved, you persevere.  But, if told it can’t be solved, you most likely give up.  (Or if you are like me, you stubbornly prove why it can’t be solved, then give up.)  In difficult situations, what we expect or think is possible dictates how much effort we exert and predicts our attitude.  If I believe an employee can learn new skills, I invest more time.  If I believe the team can make the sale without my help, I give it more autonomy building confidence.  If I believe the outcome will be positive, I notice the small successes along the way AND I am more motivated to make it work!

Isn’t it silly to hope for the best when things aren’t going well?  No, we must not sacrifice our integrity by pretending all is well.  There are always two ways to view the same situation.  Planning for the worst is OK, focusing on and expecting the worst isn’t.  After all, “we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

In the ‘water glass’ example, the glass is simultaneously half-full and half-empty.  Much like our Christ-centered lives, somewhat focused on ‘today’ and somewhat focused on ‘eternity’.  Perhaps the apparent ‘half-empty’ portion is simply what we cannot see!

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)