Optimists can seem to be living in a dream world - not in touch with reality. A serene smile can be the wrong place to start when you're up to your neck in muck and bullets.



So here is another approach, looking at the complete opposite to see what that tells us. To do this I searched for a real pessimist - not someone half-heartedly playing at it - but an out and out pessimist, at the top of their game.

When I found him - let's call him Frith - I wasn't sure at first whether I had the genuine article. I tried a few preliminary questions and it was only when I asked "What does it take to be a skilled pessimist?" that I got a breakthrough.

He replied "I'm never going to be a really good one", and I knew I had the real deal. Here is the rest of the interview.

Me: It's well known that pessimists always expect the worst, so how exactly do you do this?

Frith: Use your imagination - think of all the bad things that could happen.

Me: How often do you do this?

Frith: You've got to be dedicated and spend a lot of time on this. Practice makes - well, perfect is not possible - let's say practice builds the habit.

Me: Tell me more about this practice.

Frith: Start the moment you wake. Before you even get out of bed, let your mind run through all the things that could go wrong that day. Then regularly during the day go back to it. You can't do it too much.

Me: And what about at the end of the day?

Frith: OK, think back over all the bad things that have happened in as much detail as you can, especially before you try to sleep. When it actually keeps you awake, you know you're doing it right.

Me: What about when you look further into the future?

Frith: Sure, you expand your list of bad things so it includes the next year, preferably longer. If you imagine some really horrible things in there, it adds to the effect.

Me: So what else do you do to build pessimism?

Frith: It helps if you have lots of regrets. You can start by regretting you ever got to this point in your life - regret that you didn't avoid the current situation. Then replay memories of bad times as often as you can. Remember to beat yourself up for all your faults (make sure you have plenty).

Me: So does that mean you deny your own potential?

Frith: Absolutely.

Me: Is there anything else to being a pessimist?

Frith: There's one other key thing. You need to look for bad news. The more you collect, the more you can use. Then if anyone tries optimism nearby, you can quickly demolish it with lots of evidence. The great thing is that bad news is easily available - the media are a good place to start. I listen to every news bulletin I can.

Me: That's really illuminating. Can you give me a sentence that sums it all up?

Frith: The secret is to always look into the drains rather than at the sky.

After the interview, I looked back at my notes and wondered. What would be the result of reversing his advice - if we turned it on its head? I reckon we might get more than a serene smile. What do you think?