The concept of positive thinking is harmful

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if you jump off a cliff, gravity is going to kill you. all the positive thinking inthe world won't stop that.

in today's world of hyper-competition, it's analytical skills, painstaking attention to detail, superior communication skills, empathy, experience, and a trial and error mentality that will make the difference.

for too many people, including close family members of mine, the mantra of positive thinking is a handicap because it leads them to believe that as long as they're thinking positively they're somehow doing something amazing.

instead of wasting time on tony robbins or the secret, what is going to make the difference is real skills, technical know-how, and lots and lots of experience where you grind it out 18 hours a day trying to figure out what works.
#mind warriors #concept #harmful #positive #thinking
  • I guess the concept of capital letters is also harmful.
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  • I don't disagree in the main, but I would add two elements that I think can be crucial....

    1. Test, Test, Test! Another potentially poisonous piece of advice is to "take action." That's all well and good, but if your action is pointless or misguided, you'll get nowhere. My mom used to quote my grandfather on this all the time when I was growing up: "Worrying is like rocking in a rocking chair - gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere." You have to take action on the right things (or at least adjust when you discover that your action isn't getting anything valuable accomplished).

    2. Outsource. You have to leverage other peoples' time if you really want to get things done in a big way. We have a virtual goldmine of cheap labor all around us with Fiverr, Microjobs, MK Turk, etc. The guy making the most money from McDonald's isn't the manager or the workers. It's the owner.
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  • Banned
    I don't altogether disagree with this part, though Tony Robbins, The Secret and other similar sources certainly seem to have a widely respected record, among their enthusiasts, at motivating and facilitating many people to acquire the skills, education and experience they need. It's when people try to use them as a substitute for those essentials that "a wheel comes off", isn't it? So I don't think it's "positive thinking" in itself which is "harmful", but the uses to which some people try to put it. I suspect that Tony Robbins wouldn't actually recognize your characterization of his work at all. (The Secret, I agree, is pretty low on "taking action" and "acquiring skills").
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  • While I'm agreeing with you on one level, this is still the funniest thing I've read this morning so far. If you actually studied Tony Robbins, you would know that he's not about "positive thinking", he's actually about taking, meaningful action.

    His success formula is right in the beginning of his book "Awaken The Giant Within" and part of it states you have to model successful people, take massive action, and pay attention to what's working or not. He also mentions that positive thinking is not enough because you actually have to change the way you think so you can massive action.

    People like yourself are totally missing the point of what positive thinking really is and you're taking it out of context.

    RoD
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    • A friend of mine used to quote a Quaker proverb (he might still be doing it, but we lost touch several years ago)...

      "When you pray, move your feet."

      The Secret seems to have been *******ized over the years to simple navel-gazing and wishful thinking.

      Originally, I believe, it was about focusing on what you wanted to achieve and being aware of opportunities you might not have otherwise seen. You still had/have to act on those opportunities.

      Even if you win the Publisher's Clearing House prize, you still have to open the door and smile for the camera...
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    • I agree with Rod's interpretation here. The main power of positive thinking is that it clear's the way for positive action. If you feel defeated and make down statements, what's the chance your action will be positive and substantial?

      Positive thinking can't do anything in and of itself. But it helps clear the way for getting the job done.

      Plus, what's the alternative? Engaging in neutral or negative thinking as your philosophy?
  • For those who want more down-to-earth, common sense, self-help advice, here's a good book on the subject: The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking: Oliver Burkeman: 9780865479418: Amazon.com: Books
    One of the main things I've learned from this book is that:

    a) You can't always be positive, and it's perfectly normal

    b) You don't have to be in a good mood to take action

    Both these statements are a bit in contradictory with modern self-help advice given by motivational "gurus".

    Don't expect the book to be a breakthrough - it isn't, because such things do not exist in this field. Expect only good and sound common sense advice, much which is taken from real experts (psychologists from reputable universities, for example).
  • I can be positive in the face of data.

    The mantra I live by is 'Any virtue taken to the extreme is a vice'.

    Be positive! I agree! And I am, by nature, very positive- but I will NOT jump off a cliff, because I'm also reasonable.

    I don't act on 'feelings' because I have to have 'data' to back it up.

    I always tell myself not to 'act' unless I have been convinced by 2 means.

    Mind AND heart.

    If it makes sense on paper AND in feelings, then I do it. If any of those disagree, then I do NOT do it.
  • Without positive thinking, no one would spend 18 hours a day to "grind it out out" and figuring out what works. There has to be some faith and positive thinking behind your works or you will abandon your project.
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  • Too many people don't understand what positive thinking is really about. To make a long story short, it isn't about stupidly thinking all you have to do is be positive and all good things will rain down upon you. It's about believing in yourself and having a can-do attitude.
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    • Exactly. I don't know where people get these ideas from.
    • Right on. You need to believe that you can succeed in order to do so, but positive thinking by itself is not enough to insure success. A solid plan and action are also required.
  • it's also about not being down when shit is tough. it's about being strong and positive that things will be better -- if you do the right things.

    in the end, it's probably all about perspective. a poor man can be happy, and a rich man can be sad and depressed.
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  • Not that hamful as compared to negative thinking.

    Way much better than negative.
  • That is an example of foolish faith.

    As mentioned, those books are precursors to evoke positivity to encourage positive decisions and actions.

    Your "working for 18 hours a day trying to figure out what works" statement really wouldn't have many motivated and that's the essence of what these kind of books teach by remapping the mind by way of example, terminology and metaphor.
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  • The thinking of positivity and negativity is categorized by the professions of individuals. A politician should think both positive and negative to face the situations. A common man should think positive to live with hope. A scientist should think negative to assess the accurate results. A philosopher neither think positive nor negative and should be neutral. Like wise the thinking is associated with the behavior and nature of work in which one involved. We can can't determine which is the best and which is not.
  • By the way, if it weren't for the concept of positive thinking, a person wouldn't even attempt to be successful or run a business of their own. They'd be too stuck in believing that they don't have a shot. You have to think positively to even believe you can run a business. Without that mode of thought, you wouldn't even attempt it. Personally, I've never heard anyone flat out say that positive thinking in itself without any action will create results. Maybe some people took it that way.
  • I think that unrealistic positive thinking is harmful. Realistic and balanced positive thinking is not harmful. It is helpful.
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  • The Human mind works like a computer ,"Garbage in garbage out"
    "Positive Thinking" will get you a whole lot further than being negative .
    "Faith" without works is DEAD
    Balance is the Hardest thing to learn as a human.
    "Wisdom" Is more precious than gold
  • Harmful!!! In what way??? I don't think so. Yes, it may have some negative side but they are pretty tiny if we think about the positive side of being positive.
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    The concept of positive thinking is harmful

    if you jump off a cliff, gravity is going to kill you. all the positive thinking inthe world won't stop that. in today's world of hyper-competition, it's analytical skills, painstaking attention to detail, superior communication skills, empathy, experience, and a trial and error mentality that will make the difference.