Rational optimism refers to the belief that the situation is favorable to oneself, and that over time, things will ultimately turn out for the best, even if the process is winding. In fact, you understand that hardship is inevitable. You can optimistically believe that the growth trajectory is upward and to the right in the long run, but you also understand that unexpected events will occur from time to time on the path forward, and they always will. These two states can coexist.