Is Positive Thinking Enough?
Jan 4th, 2008 | By Dan O'Neil | Category: Goal Setting, Personal Development, Questions, self-improvementThis is a question that always makes me think. There are so many books, courses and other media that we have available which mention positive thinking as a key to having a wonderful, enriched and fulfilled life. Some of them appear to suggest that through the power of thought alone, we can literally create anything we want for ourselves. Now, I’ve believed three different ideas here – the first that positive thinking alone can provide you with everything; another that positive thinking is a complete load of codswallop; and the last that positive thinking is vital, however it is only the first step to creating that which we want.
I’m currently of the opinion that positive thinking is vital, but we need to add the other two parts to complete the process. These two parts are words and actions. I remember something from my childhood about “thought, word and deed” which is a useful phrase here. The idea that thoughts create words, which in turn create deeds (or actions) and the actions create that which we want.
The first position here (certainly the one which I first occupied) is the belief that positive thinking is a load of rubbish, new-age thinking that doesn’t get anyone anywhere in life, because you have to work hard to get anywhere etc, etc. There is certainly value in this belief, I perhaps would question if this is the most blind place to be as this type of person is unlikely to consider the possibility that they may be wrong. Of course I’m not saying that they are!
The second position, where simply by thinking, we can create whatever we want is a wonderful place to be (provided it is working out for us) otherwise there is the possibility that we will go back to the first position or will decide that the third position is more appropriate. This position is perhaps on the surface the most appealing, because it involves very little responsibility and action on our parts. I personally have spent a good deal of my life in this place, however the lack of results may also be attributed to a lack of belief in my goals.
The third position, where I am currently choosing to reside, recognises the value of positive thinking and believes that it is a tool for us to create words and actions that will bring our desires into our reality. To me this is enormously attractive as my joy in life is often found in the journey towards my goals, although they taste pretty sweet when they arrive! The sense of achievement that my thoughts, words and actions have created is a wonderful reward in itself.
I am not a proponent of any type of thinking, I believe that the value of life is to think what you like. I simply ask you to consider your thoughts on this question, even if you think like me, consider the value of the other positions and question your own belief and thinking to either strengthen or create a new way of thinking that is better suited to you. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts, ideas or opinions on this question.
Interesting piece this, I’m not sure I’ve ever been the skeptic, though I’ve certainly had a lot of time spent just trying to think things into being. Sometimes it works too.
Thanks for your comment – actually that’s a great point – simply thinking about stuff does sometimes work on it’s own.
I think that positive thinking is important to achieve goals and in general to have a “nicer” life if you like, but that is just the beginning. There is self-discovery, there is goal setting, organization, desire to do or be, love for life. Thing is, when we speak about positive thinking we can incorporate all those related areas.
Say, positive thinking is just a view on life, which is not excluding of other views.
That’s a really nice way to look at it, as a view on life. I suppose the real point of this post is to encourage people to consider different points of view about positive thinking and I agree with you that it is only the beginning of a “nicer” life. Many people, in my experience (myself included), believe or have believed that positive thinking is the be-all and end-all of the story. The self-discovery, goals, organisation, desire, love for life etc that you talk about are some of the keys that for me make the all important difference between wishing and realising. Thanks for your comments.
I’ll take a positive thinker over a negative thinker any day. Nice article.
Rob
Dan O’Neil says… Thanks for your comments.
A positive attitude may not be everything, but I’ve found it certainly helps when the chips are against you…
Dan O’Neil says… Well said. There’s little point in getting all worked up about it!
I think a risk of the success of a book like “The Secret” is that the masses who are always looking for the quick fix will assume that it is as simple as being positive and trying to wish things into your life. Of course a positive attitude helps IF AND ONLY IF you do the work that needs to be done.
Dan O’Neil says… Good point Scott. Often the people who understand this stuff, already know it!
Positive thinking at most can affect your own behavior, and there is a slim possibility that it might rub off on others. It could also irritate them.
The belief that positive thinking in itself will do anything is simply magical thinking.
Dan O’Neil says… It affects your thoughts about yourself, your behaviour and ultimately your actions – which is where change can begin. Obviously, as you point out, it’s not magic and you do have to do the behaviour and actions bit to make it work.
Of course positive thinking is not enough… not all by itself. If that were the case I would just think myself into being rich, famous, and good-looking in the next 20 seconds, then it would be ‘game over’!
Obviously our thoughts are powerful, but the notion that we literally think things into being without taking any action whatsoever (no matter how small) is just pure fantasy….
Dan O’Neil says… Indeed! It’d be a weird world where we were all rich, famous and good-looking…
I think there are three things actually: positive thinking, positive emotions and visualizations.
On the top of these things is ability to wait. If you have power to wait – you will get the best results. Do not hurry, don’t be nervous about anything. Just smile, visualize and have happy feeling in your chest. Things will come anyway.
I wish you infinite luck and abundance!
Stan´s last blog post..Kung Fu Panda – Deepest Chinese wisdom and infinite fun for the whole family
Dan O’Neil says… Patience is great – it’s actually very easy when you learn to be in love with each and every moment! I’m still working on that…
Great post. One thing i know is you will never make it if you do not take action. That is most important thing. You can dream all you want think positive everyday but you still have to take action no matter what. 2 types of people talkers and doers. Doers take action and list what they have to do and do a few things everyday that is why they are successfull.
Dan O’Neil says… I find that often doers think less than talkers.
I think if we rely only on positive thinking it’s not enough but it’s already a good motivation to ourselves. Being positive at all times will change our attitudes and perspective and the only remaining question left will be, how are you going to act? If we do what we positively think and regardless of the outcome of our thinking it will be a success. Action speaks louder than words, before you act think positively. Execute.
Dan O’Neil says… Thanks Marvin.