This is a good question. It depends on what you mean by “do better in life”.
There are some specific areas where pessimists are less likely to fail because pessimists tend disengage more quickly than optimists. Because of this, pessimists are less likely to suffer losses in gambling, and they are also less likely begin small businesses based on unrealistic expectations.[1][2]
There’s also this thing called “defensive pessimism” which doesn’t prevent people from doing things at all, but help people learn to take calculated risks. [3]
However, in attempts to study and measure happiness and health in general, pessimists do not do better. Pessimists are more likely to be depressed, anxious, and don’t live as long on average[4]. One reason researchers considered is that optimists find it easier to bounce back from stressors.
Optimists also recover from surgery quicker[5], and on the more materialistic side, in some studies optimists also made more money on average, [6] were more likely to be promoted[7][8], and after losing a job found a new one faster by months[9].
This article suggests a good balance between the two can be hope for the best, be prepared for the worst. (Is It Safer to Be a Pessimist?)
P.s. Sorry for dotting the whole thing with links. I just thought this was a good question and wanted to be able to keep track of where things I (think I) know come from more than anything. Might try to narrow/edit them down later.
Footnotes
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