The other day I came across a post on positive thinking and it really made me think. Today I’d like to share my thoughts on the subject.
I’m a big fan of positive thinking, really I am. Those who think positively tend to have a much greater quality of life than those who let negative thoughts continually command their lives. But the fact of the matter is, positive thinking can only get you so far, by no means is it the answer to all your problems.
Being an active member in the personal development community, I see countless of individuals claiming their lives are a mess, many modeling the complaint,”I sit at home all day thinking about all the things I want, but nothing good ever comes out of it.”
Really? Do you really think just sitting at home all day thinking “positive thoughts” will manifest the life that you desire? Unfortunately many do.
That’s the problem with movies like the Secret and similar belief models; they falsely market the idea of “think it and it will occur.” Hundreds of thousands of individuals believe that by just thinking positively their life is going to magically transform. They then fall victim to the delusion of their own reality, causing a tremendous amount of pain and suffering.
Does that render visualization and uplifting affirmations useless? Absolutely not. I’d be crazy if I were to say positive thinking is worthless, because it really can make a huge impact on the life you life. Yet the act of wishful thinking remains deficient, it can’t stand alone without quickly collapsing.
Positive thinking without action is like a beautiful car without wheels. It doesn’t matter how good it looks, without wheels your car isn’t going to go very far (if anywhere at all.) This same principle applies to your life journey. You can think all the wonderful thoughts you want, but without effort and execution the life you long for won’t ever truly appear.
Because a great majority of our society is so habitually negative to begin with, positive thinking often represents a tremendous upgrade to the quality of one’s life. A positive thought is always better than a negative one. But in the end reality always trumps your thoughts regardless of its intention.
I’m not going to lie, I tend to be an overly optimistic person, with an occasional flash of pessimistic pride. I like to believe that I am going to create massive change in this world. I like to believe that one day I’m going to touch millions of peoples life’s. I like to believe that through my writing and passion for growth that I will have an impact on all those who encounter me. Some pretty lofty goals. And for me to make my goals and aspirations a reality, I’m going to have to think big and take constant action. That is the only way.
It takes a truly aware individual to acknowledge when his or her reality isn’t congruent with their thoughts. Yet examining your reality from an objective lens is essential. No doubt doing so takes a great deal of courage but it is required to really grow. Flooding your head with positive intentions is a great step up from a mind filled with negative muck, but even then you still have room to evolve.
Do you substitute action with thoughts of fluff? Or do you supplement positive thinking with consistent hustle?
All the thinking in the world doesn’t change the truth.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on positive thinking and how it affects your life. Please share in the comments below.
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Nice post. I think you are correct in saying that effort and execution, when combined with postive thinking, will lead to success. I do, however, also believe that thinking leads to action. All actions begin as thought, and if you change those negative thoughts to postive thoughts, your actions will become more positive. The mere act of thinking postive thoughts will usually lead to positive actions and positive results.
You make a good point in evaluating whether our reality is congruent with our thoughts. It would be a very good exercise to evaluate this from time to time.
Great post about positive thinking. It’s a tricky topic because I do believe that when you’re just forcing it you do end up with a lot of fluff. I like to think of it more as looking for the good, even in bad situations. Have you read the book Bright Sided? You might find it interesting!
Bud,
Great post. You’ve made a great point here. I find it hard to believe that people actually spend all day thinking positive thoughts because then they would have absolutely no time to actually accomplish any of what they are thinking about. Another interesting point you made is that they wonder where everything they’ve been thinking about is, which in and of itself cancels whatever they created with their positive thoughts. I think you hit the nail on the head that it’s a combo of thought and action.
The other thing that most people don’t do is any of this consistently. You can’t do an affirmation for a few days and see change.
So true, Bud! Without action, talk is just…talk.
Nice friendly link to Diggy. Great to see awesome sportmanship even though you guys are in a contest.
THAT to me is a true winner!
Hello Bud!
Great article and you did well to point out that in order to succeed at anything, there must be action! I believe that the proper type of thinking will lead to action, they are really inseperable.
Very good article and I hope many read it and embrace the truths you’ve shared.
One comedy that is way overdone but still gets you thinking about the action aspect of positive thinking is “Yes Man” (2008).
Hi Bud,
I do agree with you and I had wrote a post on this topic before too. Thinking positive helps to a certain extent but not when we abuse it. If we think positive without taking action, I do not believe any results will happen.
Cheers,
Vincent
@Eric: Hey Eric.. Thanks for stopping by. I do agree that thinking does indeed lead to action.. but only if you allow it. Many think positive thoughts but don’t allow themselves to get up and move. Positive thinking can but doesn’t always lead to action.
@Dani: I haven’t heard of the book! I’ll be sure to check it out!
@Rao: Absolutely.. Change takes time. Those who think otherwise are only deluding themselves.
@Brian: I’m always down to help
@Chelsea! I loved YES MAN. It really did make me think!
@Vincent! Thanks for stopping by man.. You do know I linked to your post right?
Hey Bud! (nice name lol)
I enjoyed your post at “Dreamin’ the Life”, and I did indeed enjoy this one.
I completely agree with you on this simple idea.
If we want to dream, then dream big…but just don’t become a DREAMER. Positive thinking and visualization causes a good amount of excitement and motivation, however, they are completely useless if they aren’t put on action. It’s like having lots of money in the bank, and never spending it!
However, I do believe that many people who are positive and yet inactive actually enjoy being like that. They enjoy “fantasizing” about their successes and their dreams, however, they are too afraid to go after it because they fear they might end up losing more than they have no if they do go after what they truly want. So, in a sense, it is kind of a “safety spot” for them to stay in, and it’s nice and cozy and comfortable. ( I read that in “The Alchemist” – great book with excellent life lessons)
Those are the people who are opposites of Obama, they are afraid of change, they really do not like change lol.
Anyways, nice post with a nice analogy and a really truthful message.
I like your site btw, makes me feel light haha.
Steven
Great one, Bud. You’re right that we need to follow up with constant actions in order to create the positive results we want in life. And I agree with Eric that all actions begin as thought.
MINDSET -> THOUGHTS -> ACTIONS -> RESULTS
A positive mindset will generate positive thoughts, which will lead to positive actions, and hence, create positive results. Of course, positive results may not be achieved at the first attempt. But a person with a positive mindset will keep tweaking his strategies and keep trying until he gets the positive results he wants. This is what a person with a negative mindset will fail to do. A negative mindset person will give up after the first failed attempt.
Cheers~
Mark
I used to follow the Law of Attraction, until I put it to use. I sat there thinking of what I wanted and it felt good doing so. The result was nothing happened.
Now I understand that although positive thoughts will guide you towards what you want, one must take action or getting to the goal or our efforts will be futile.
I focus more on positive FEELING vs. positive THINKING. Create passion. Create interest. Create curiousness. Then you will have positive feelings that lead to positive thinking.
And lastly, the best way in life is to accept what is and always know, it will pass whether it is good or bad. Like you said, you can’t out-think reality.
Nice post!
Dayne
Bud, with the amount of talent and passion you are in possession of at your age…I really believe if anyone can achieve your lofty goals then you can.
I love the image of the car and am planning to make a Pictomin out of it – http://pictomins.wordpress.com/
Also I knew that upgrade link was going to link back to Diggy’s site even before I clicked on it, lol.
@Steven.. Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you find my site valuable.
@Mark: Absolutely. Positive thoughts breed action POTENTIAL… but then you have to act on it.
@Tristan: I’m glad you came to the understanding that action must be taken.
@Dayne: Great point, very well said.
@Jonny: Thanks man. I really appreciate it
Heya Bud!
Really nice post! I have seen the same thing with people. They think that by positive thinking only, their world will somehow magically change. It is definitely a step in the right direction, but it needs to be followed by taking action.
Thanks for the link
Have an awesome day!
P.s. Get crackin on those guest posts, I want you to overtake me again so I can work even harder
Heya Bud
Great post. this is something I have thought about alot – there can be a tendancy to think positive thinking alone can change the world, bit it really is action + postive context isn’t it?
Thanks Bud
Jen
Hey Bud,
It looks like I am quite similar to you in thinking
I too like to be quite optimistic, and I too believe that one day I’m gonna make some change that lasts.
In my opinion, just thinking about a thing isn’t going to always turn it into reality. Thinking about your goals and dreaming is a very good motivator, and also a great aid when laying out your timetable, but that’s it all.
Peace,
Zoli
“Positive thinking without action is like a beautiful car without wheels.” This is a concept lost on too many people. While your thoughts are important, your actions must follow through, as no benefit is gained without participation!
Hey Bud! I really like this post. Recently I’ve been reading your post again and it really makes me think about life. You play a huge part in my life buddy. Peace