You are failing at every step of life... You are trying hard... But, nothing is working for you, nothing going your way... Still, would you keep your morale, optimism high? Would you not still give up? What would drive you to keep faith in yourself? 

At every juncture of life, you are standing at cross-roads. There are diverse roads – straight, isolated, sloppy, curvy, smooth, rocky, crowded, steep, dangerous, lonely, dusty, hazy….. 

At the Core of yourself – "Emotions", "Values", "Rationale thinking" would drive you to a different direction. Each Force would try convincing you to opt different path. But, obviously you can choose ONLY one. (Or sometimes, you may not even get an opportunity to choose the path.) There cannot be win-win situations. There is always a trade-off while choosing one path & rejecting other. There is an Opportunity Cost associated with the path you choose. You certainly must give up something to gain something else.

Consider an example:

You visit and have Pizza and deserts at Pizza Hut. But, you find that the bill does not include amount Rs 150/- for the deserts. Now, you have 2 ways, diverse paths, to handle the situation:

1. Pay whatever is charged, and walk out: Cheat

Here, your emotions and values may drive your actions to save some money, though you pay the (opportunity) cost of "being dishonest". Here, cheating though an ill-trait is acceptable to you.

2. Ask the cashier to modify the bill and pay the correct amount: Prove yourself to be Honest

Here, due to your rationale thinking and values, you would feel – "I have enjoyed the deserts. So, I need to pay for the same." You will prove yourself honest; at the (opportunity) cost of paying Rs 150/- for deserts. 

Thus, at any cross-road, the selection of the path to be chosen (Behavior) is thus based on which of the forces out of "Values", "Emotions (Feelings)", "Rational Thinking" dominate you at that particular time. Therefore, behavior of the person cannot be guaranteed, for all cases.

Further, a person creates a self-image to be projected to the world. He wants himself to known as a man of certain values. He would strive hard to keep projecting his image.

Consider an example:

Amit has created his image in people's mind that he would never have alcohol. Now, even if he is willing to have some alcohol, he may be restrained from doing so to prevent his image. His emotions/ feelings would want him to try alcohol; but his Rationale Thinking would deny him doing any such act, which would damage his image. 

As suggested by psychological theories, Mental Conflict is generated, when there is a mismatch between Thinking, Feeling, and Behaviour. So, my say in this case would be – Don't be much worried about the things which you cannot control. Just be yourself. Next moment can be yours. Believe in yourself. Keep giving the Best. You clearly know sometimes that path chosen by you is consistent with your values and rationale thinking, though you do not feel like not choosing the path. It is a difficult path, where you need to put yourself out of your comfort zone. On this path, failure is just a step away. Chances of getting trapped are very high. And, yes you start failing every now and then. Your Feelings would again prompt you choosing the easier path for assured success. But, the path would demand you, breaking the rules set by your values. So, you stick to your path and keep trying, despite of continuous failures.

Is it called Perpetual Optimism?