--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I choose optimism. I hope to be a…" description: "\"I choose optimism. I hope to be a catalyst not only by providing financial resources but also by fostering a sense of possibility: encouraging top expe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d41/paul-allen-2295_discipline_i-choose-optimism-i-hope-to-be-a-catalys_1726948.png" --- # I choose optimism. I hope to be a catalyst not only by… ![“I choose optimism. I hope to be a catalyst not only by providing financial resources but also by fostering a sense of possibility: encouraging top experts to collaborate across disciplines, challenge conventional thinking, and figure out ways to overcome some of the world's hardest problems.” quote by Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d41/paul-allen-2295_discipline_i-choose-optimism-i-hope-to-be-a-catalys_1726948.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d41/paul-allen-2295_discipline_i-choose-optimism-i-hope-to-be-a-catalys_1726948.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d41/paul-allen-2295_discipline_i-choose-optimism-i-hope-to-be-a-catalys_1726948.png) > “I choose optimism. I hope to be a catalyst not only by providing financial resources but also by fostering a sense of possibility: encouraging top experts to collaborate across disciplines, challenge conventional thinking, and figure out ways to overcome some of the world's hardest problems.” [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He promotes optimism and collaboration, providing resources and fostering a belief that interdisciplinary work can solve tough global issues. **In simple terms:** Optimism + collaboration drives solutions. Key Takeaway Support interdisciplinary projects with optimism. Themes optimism collaboration innovation Mood hopeful visionary Type motivational strategic When to use this quote - startup funding - global health initiatives - climate action Key Concepts systems thinking philanthropy interdisciplinary research Questions to Reflect On - What resources best enable cross‑disciplinary work? - How can optimism be measured in projects? A Different Perspective Optimism alone may not overcome technical barriers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choose Optimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choose-optimism-1392151/) [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Hope Catalyst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope-catalyst-1392153/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [Optimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimism/) [Optimism Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimism-hope-560196/) [Possibility Encouraging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possibility-encouraging-1392152/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“If adrenaline was a catalyst for strength then hope was the catalyst for endurance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-banks/if-adrenaline-was-a-catalyst-for-strength-then-hope-was-the-catalyst/) [Marianne Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-banks/) > [For style and for creating a mood of optimism and hope - Kennedy on that count is as effective as any president the country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-dallek/for-style-and-for-creating-a-mood-of-optimism-and-hope-kennedy-on/) [Robert Dallek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-dallek/) > [Hope differs from optimism. Hope does not arise from being told to "think positively," or from hearing an overly rosy forecast. Hope, unlike optimism,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-groopman/hope-differs-from-optimism-hope-does-not-arise-from-being-told-to/) [Jerome Groopman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-groopman/) > [It's best to not confuse optimism with hope. Optimism is a psychological attitude toward life. Hope goes further. It is an anchor that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/it-s-best-to-not-confuse-optimism-with-hope-optimism-is-a/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Optimism can sometimes give you hope to fight direst of the circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/5h45hvut/optimism-can-sometimes-give-you-hope-to-fight-direst-of-the/) [5h45hvut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/5h45hvut/) > [“Hope is one of our central emotions, but we are often at a loss when asked to define it. Many of us confuse hope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-groopman/hope-is-one-of-our-central-emotions-but-we-are-often-at-a-loss-when/) [Jerome Groopman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-groopman/) > [The near cousin of optimism is hope: knowing the steps needed to get to a goal and having the energy to pursue those steps.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-near-cousin-of-optimism-is-hope-knowing-the-steps-needed-to-get/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [David Cameron's message of change, optimism and hope is in tune with what Britain wants today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-maude/david-cameron-s-message-of-change-optimism-and-hope-is-in-tune-with/) [Francis Maude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-maude/) > [“Her enthusiasm, her optimism, her hope? They were all so far from where he was.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-park/her-enthusiasm-her-optimism-her-hope-they-were-all-so-far-from-where/) [Jessica Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-park/) > [“Vision involves optimism and hope. The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-oswald-sanders-2/vision-involves-optimism-and-hope-the-pessimist-sees-difficulty-in-2/) [J Oswald Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-oswald-sanders-2/) > [We must have a pure, honest, and warm-hearted motivation, and on top of that, determination, optimism, hope, and the ability not to be discouraged.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-must-have-a-pure-honest-and-warm-hearted-motivation-and-on-top-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Few things in the world are more powerful than a positive push. A smile. A world of optimism and hope. A "you can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/few-things-in-the-world-are-more-powerful-than-a-positive-push-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When I first heard John Smith my attention was captured by his sweet, earthy voice and fine craftsmanship, but what drew me in was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-kimmel/when-i-first-heard-john-smith-my-attention-was-captured-by-his-sweet/) [Tom Kimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-kimmel/) > [Hope transforms pessimism into optimism. Hope is invincible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daisaku-ikeda/hope-transforms-pessimism-into-optimism-hope-is-invincible/) [Daisaku Ikeda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daisaku-ikeda/) > [I do the very best I can to look upon life with optimism and hope and looking forward to a better day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosa-parks/i-do-the-very-best-i-can-to-look-upon-life-with-optimism-and-hope-and/) [Rosa Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosa-parks/) ## More by Paul Allen > [I just try to find things that either need to be done, should be done, or where I can make a difference in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/i-just-try-to-find-things-that-either-need-to-be-done-should-be-done/) [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) > [I'm not a video-game player at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/i-m-not-a-video-game-player-at-all/) [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) > [AI2 was born from a desire to create a system that could truly reason about knowledge, rather than just offer up what had been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/ai2-was-born-from-a-desire-to-create-a-system-that-could-truly-reason/) [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) > [Some people can vent their anger, take a breath, and let it go, but I wasn't one of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/some-people-can-vent-their-anger-take-a-breath-and-let-it-go-but-i/) [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) > [Any time you get to compete for the championship in a professional spot, it's just a magic thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/any-time-you-get-to-compete-for-the-championship-in-a-professional/) [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) > [Art fairs bring attention to up and coming artists and some amazing new works. They are a way to connect everyone with what's happening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/art-fairs-bring-attention-to-up-and-coming-artists-and-some-amazing/) [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) > [Human beings are fragile things, and for the period of time it takes to get them to Mars and back, you have dangerous radiation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/human-beings-are-fragile-things-and-for-the-period-of-time-it-takes/) [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) > [With documentary-film projects, you hope you highlight an area of concern people haven't thought about before. A lot of times, I'm asking myself -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/with-documentary-film-projects-you-hope-you-highlight-an-area-of/) [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) > [In my own work, I've tried to anticipate what's coming over the horizon, to hasten its arrival, and to apply it to people's lives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/in-my-own-work-i-ve-tried-to-anticipate-what-s-coming-over-the/) [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) > [The NBA is intense, but the NFL is a whole 'nother level of intensity and dramatic, game-changing plays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/the-nba-is-intense-but-the-nfl-is-a-whole-nother-level-of-intensity/) [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) > [Sometimes it's very difficult to find fresh fruit on the road.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/sometimes-it-s-very-difficult-to-find-fresh-fruit-on-the-road/) [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) > [Computers are really, basically, computing elements and a lot of memory. They are pretty easy to understand, as compared to the brain, which was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/computers-are-really-basically-computing-elements-and-a-lot-of-memory/) [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) > [As quickly as it started, our business model evaporated. But while Traf-O-Data was technically a business failure, the understanding of microprocessors we absorbed was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/as-quickly-as-it-started-our-business-model-evaporated-but-while-traf/) [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) > [In an ideal world, everybody would find it easy to talk to the press... but not everybody is so excited.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/in-an-ideal-world-everybody-would-find-it-easy-to-talk-to-the-press/) [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) > [Those fortunate to achieve great wealth should put it to work for the good of humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/those-fortunate-to-achieve-great-wealth-should-put-it-to-work-for-the/) [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) [Explore all 173 Paul Allen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) ## More Discipline quotes > [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [Grit and self-control are related, but they're not the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grit-and-self-control-are-related-but-they-re-not-the-same-thing/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“Peace requires a discipline more iron than war. - Easter, 1939 ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-j-turner/peace-requires-a-discipline-more-iron-than-war-easter-1939/) [W.J. Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-j-turner/) > [You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing: Private Victories proceed Public Victories. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-t-have-the-fruits-without-the-roots-it-s-the-principle-of/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Like a child exploring the attic of an old house on a rainy day, discovering a trunk full of treasure and then calling all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/like-a-child-exploring-the-attic-of-an-old-house-on-a-rainy-day/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [Exercise teaches you the pleasure of discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-fonda/exercise-teaches-you-the-pleasure-of-discipline/) [Jane Fonda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-fonda/) > [I'm always writing. I'm an obsessive. It's not because I'm a disciplined person. It's because I'm crazy about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanif-kureishi/i-m-always-writing-i-m-an-obsessive-it-s-not-because-i-m-a/) [Hanif Kureishi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hanif-kureishi/) > [“I felt like praying or something, when I was in bed, but I couldn't do it. I can't always pray when I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger/i-felt-like-praying-or-something-when-i-was-in-bed-but-i-couldn-t-do/) [J.D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger/) > [The undisciplined child enters into discipline by working in the company of others; not being told he is naughty.” “Discipline is, therefore, primarily a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/the-undisciplined-child-enters-into-discipline-by-working-in-the/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [“Proverbs from the East: The wind howls, but the mountain remains still. Even though I make no special attempt to observe the discipline of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/proverbs-from-the-east-the-wind-howls-but-the-mountain-remains-still/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [To behave creatively in art means behavior with skill; and skill comes from discipline, not derangement. The artist who knows the rules -and proportion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burne-hogarth/to-behave-creatively-in-art-means-behavior-with-skill-and-skill-comes/) [Burne Hogarth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burne-hogarth/) > [Self-discipline is an act of cultivation. It require you to connect today's actions to tomorrow's results. There's a season for sowing a season for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-ryan-blair/self-discipline-is-an-act-of-cultivation-it-require-you-to-connect/) [Gary Ryan Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-ryan-blair/) > [The individual, by means of the discipline imposed on him by sport, not only plays and finds relaxation from the various compulsions to which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-ellul/the-individual-by-means-of-the-discipline-imposed-on-him-by-sport-not/) [Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-ellul/) > [Cheerfulness in most cheerful people is the rich and satisfying result of strenuous discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-percy-whipple/cheerfulness-in-most-cheerful-people-is-the-rich-and-satisfying/) [Edwin Percy Whipple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-percy-whipple/) > [Stay in your seat come times of trouble. Its only people who jump off the roller coaster who get hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-harvey/stay-in-your-seat-come-times-of-trouble-its-only-people-who-jump-off/) [Paul Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-harvey/) [Browse all 5,597 Discipline quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I choose optimism. I hope to be a catalyst not only by providing financial resources but also by fostering a sense of possibility: encouraging top experts to collaborate across disciplines, challenge conventional thinking, and figure out ways to overcome some of the world's hardest problems.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paul Allen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/i-choose-optimism-i-hope-to-be-a-catalyst-not-only-by-providing/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Discipline" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/i-choose-optimism-i-hope-to-be-a-catalyst-not-only-by-providing/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d41/paul-allen-2295_discipline_i-choose-optimism-i-hope-to-be-a-catalys_1726948.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d41/paul-allen-2295_discipline_i-choose-optimism-i-hope-to-be-a-catalys_1726948.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d41/paul-allen-2295_discipline_i-choose-optimism-i-hope-to-be-a-catalys_1726948.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I choose optimism. I hope to be a catalyst not only by providing financial resources but also by fostering a…” — Paul Allen", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Paul Allen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I choose optimism. I hope to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/i-choose-optimism-i-hope-to-be-a-catalyst-not-only-by-providing/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/i-choose-optimism-i-hope-to-be-a-catalyst-not-only-by-providing/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```