Why Fortune Favours the Optimistic: A Lesson from the Mountain Man

Dashrath Manjhi, famously known as the “Mountain Man,” showed the world what unbreakable optimism can achieve. Manjhi’s story begins in a small, impoverished village in Bihar, India, where his wife fell gravely ill. The nearest hospital was on the other side of a mountain, and without a road to get there, the journey was long, grueling, and ultimately cost his wife her life. Manjhi was devastated—but instead of accepting defeat, he made a decision that seemed almost delusional to the people around him: he would carve a road through the mountain.

For 22 years, Manjhi worked alone, armed only with a hammer, chisel, and his indomitable spirit. Day after day, he chipped away at the rocky terrain, enduring ridicule from villagers who saw his task as absurd, even insane. “Why waste your life for something that can never be done?” they asked. Yet, Manjhi kept at it. Slowly but surely, he dug into the mountain, determined to turn what others saw as an impossibility into reality.

His work finally paid off. After over two decades of relentless effort, Manjhi carved a 360-foot-long, 30-foot-wide path through the mountain, reducing the journey from his village to the nearest town from 55 kilometers to just 15. What was once a barrier became a bridge—transforming lives in his village by giving them access to essential resources, medical care, and opportunities they never had before. His story reminds us that optimism, even when it borders on foolishness, can create profound change.

Neuroscientist Tali Sharot explains this phenomenon as the “optimism bias.” It’s a built-in tendency in our brains to expect positive outcomes, even when things could go either way. This bias, she argues, isn’t just wishful thinking—it’s essential for our survival, shielding us from stress and anxiety and encouraging us to take meaningful risks.

Think about Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, who in 1976 founded Apple in a garage with no office—just an extraordinary vision and a lot of optimism. Jobs’ belief in their idea led him to persist despite countless setbacks. That optimism didn’t just help them overcome challenges; it laid the groundwork for Apple to grow into one of the world’s most influential companies.

Sharot’s research shows that our brains naturally envision a positive future. When we start a new relationship or project, we tend to imagine a ‘happily ever after.’ This optimism drives us forward, helping us take risks that a more cautious approach might avoid. Psychologist Richard Wiseman even found that “lucky” people often create their own luck by staying open to new possibilities—because optimism keeps them looking for opportunities.

In the end, optimism isn’t about ignoring reality; it’s about imagining a better one and working toward it. It pushes us to take action, build resilience, and pursue goals we might have otherwise dismissed. So, whether you’re starting a new venture or navigating a tough situation, remember that optimism can be your most powerful tool. It’s hardwired into your brain for a reason—use it to shape a future worth believing in.

Use your optimism bias, and take that leap!

#Optimism #Resilience #Leadership #Mindset #Inspiration #MountainMan #DashrathManjhi #SteveJobs #GrowthMindset #LinkedInCommunity #Motivation