Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare your (2) baking sheets with parchment paper.
Grab your large mixing bowl and cream together the softened sticks of unsalted butter with the granulated sugar by using a handheld or stand mixer. Cream until the mixture is light and flufy which should take 2-3 minutes.
Beat in each egg, one at a time. Wait until the first egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.
Grab another medium or large mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
It’s time for the dry mixture and the creamed mixture to meet! Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter/sugar mixture from Step #2.
Carefully stir or fold in the oats and optional chocolate chips.
Use a cookie dough scoop or large spoon to add rounded balls of dough (roughly tablespoon sized) to the prepared baking sheets. Space them roughly 2 inches apart.
Bake @ 350°F for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
Remove the baking sheets from the oven (carefully!). Allow the cookies to cool for 5-10 minutes.