Positive Thinking Is Useless By Itself - Page 3

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  1. Jul 25, '12 by
    Quote from Tragically Hip

    Some behavioral researchers think that can-do positive attitude can lead to inaction by giving the person a psychological sense of accomplishment, as if he's accomplished something concrete, even before he acts. The pleasure is awarded prematurely.
    I think your talking about "procrastination" rather then positive attitude.

    My thought about this topic is that one can have positive thoughts, but without action it's useless. Sure enough, I would not work if I "prayed" for someone to come out and "bless" me with house payments for the month. Even better, I could pray to win the lottery.

    This psychological method has its benefits and negatives, we can't just state that positive thinking is bad or good. It's a balance that comes complete with action and wisdom for example.
    cherryames1949 likes this.
  2. Jul 25, '12 by
    Quote from decembergrad2011

    I'm perfectly okay with being an optimistic person. It's brought some great things to me, and allowed me to deal alright with the hardships. I probably could have still accomplished what I have being pessimistic, but I'm not sure I could have dealt with the hardships. The bad times are when positive thinking has been the most helpful for me.
    I think in that regard we are what we are. I wax and wane between optimistic and pessimistic but that's more to do with BP than anything else. It does mean though I have to be able to function in both states and for the most part I do. So I can see both sides of the coin.
  3. Jul 25, '12 by
    I am a firm believer in positive thinking. My husband calls me a hopeless optimist. This coming from a "negative Nancy". I just choose to find the positive in a situation, sometimes it is much harder to find than in other situations but there usually is a silver lining. I don't think that those positive thoughts are what will get me closer to my goal but I do believe that they get me in the mindset to make things happen.

    For instance, I have been applying for job all over since before graduation. Seriously hunting consistently and have received countless rejection emails or nothing at all. My classmate has been doing the same thing but she let it get her down and stopped applying a month or so ago. I let it get me down for a day or two but then picked myself back up and applied for more. I have a nursing job now and she doesn't. So my positive thinking kept me going.

    But I do agree with you, positive thinking alone does not accomplish anything. I have no idea what "The Secret" is but I have never heard a motivational speaker say that positive affirmations alone were enough. It is just a way to get people in the right mindset to accomplish their goals.
    on eagles wings and cherryames1949 like this.
  4. Jul 25, '12 by
    I agree that positive thinking or "everything will be okay" does not always translate into positive outcomes. I think there is an element of denial in just thinking and saying "this will be okay", "you can do it", failure is not an option" etc., Like the OP said above sometimes failure is an option and it happens. Sometimes we won't be good at everything and might not be able to do other things, no matter how hard we try. I think seeing our failures in a more positive way is what positive thinking will help with. If I can feel good about my failures and mistakes and translate that into lessons learned and personal growth, then I will have transformed my failures into something positive.
    mangopeach and decembergrad2011 like this.
  5. Jul 25, '12 by
    Quote from ImKosher
    I think your talking about "procrastination" rather then positive attitude.
    I'm talking how self-help techniques in general sometimes itself leads to a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, even though nothing useful has been done. It's not a matter of putting things off (procrastination), but rather, lacking the drive to follow through with constructive action. It has the effect of a drug.

    Quote from dee78
    But I do agree with you, positive thinking alone does not accomplish anything. I have no idea what "The Secret" is but I have never heard a motivational speaker say that positive affirmations alone were enough. It is just a way to get people in the right mindset to accomplish their goals.
    If you read The Secret, or see the flashy movie, they will tell you that having the right thoughts will attract the right people, the right opportunities, and the right stuff. I shook the DVD box thinking that the action plan/execution part may have been on the second disc, but there was no second disc.
  6. Jul 25, '12 by
    Reality is a cold science of numbers. What is needed would be guarded/realistic optimism or defensive pessimism. There are just so many factors in human existence that are beyond our control, and no amount of prayers, positive thinking can bend reality. Action is needed within the spheres of control that we have influence over. As the late Stephen Covey explained, there are things within our control, events partially under our sway and the rest are totally beyond our grasp to change. We can only adapt to survive in every situation that we meet.
    mangopeach, amzyRN, and Tragically Hip like this.
  7. Jul 26, '12 by
    I like that. Positive but REALISTIC. I'll be starting the BSN program and I am going to remain positive but take action.
  8. Jul 26, '12 by
    The examples in the OP sound more like delusional thinking rather than the negative effects of positive thinking.
  9. Jul 26, '12 by
    Exactly. It isn't to just think positive. Thinking without doing will not yield any positive results. Everyone must practice what they preach.
  10. Jul 26, '12 by
    posted this in general student forum:

    study while others are sleeping; work while others are loafing; prepare while others are playing; and dream while others are wishing.
    ~ william arthur ward
    cherryames1949 and ImKosher like this.