Positive thinking has got overused. (Or is it misused?) It carries a weight of expectations. And hence has acquired a reputation problem.
The very mention of the very word conjures images of motivational quotes, vision boards, endless affirmations, sunshine-filled social media posts.
For most, it feels detached, something unreal. It’s like wishful thinking dressed up as wisdom from some unknown gurus.
Somedays, positive thinking feels useless if you’re just sitting on your couch, avoiding the work that needs to be done. It becomes like a substitute for your action.
It makes you feel productive as you imagine a better future or outcome. But in reality, nothing is actually changing.
Perhaps the actual problem is that you’ve misunderstood the meaning of positive thinking, and its purpose.
A Tool Is Only as Good as Its Context
Look at positive thinking as a tool. If you try cutting a piece of wood with a hammer, you’re definitely not getting what you wanted.
It’s not because the hammer is useless, but because the hammer isn’t the right tool for the task.
Maybe you’re using positive thinking to avoid discomfort or procrastinate, or just waiting for motivation to magically appear. Then it becomes an escape, not a support.
It gives you an opportunity to fantasise about the progress you could’ve made if you had put in the required effort.
That’s the reason why some self-help advice feel hollow. They make you feel optimist even before you’ve done the work.
Optimism is most valuable when the action has begun, and not in anticipation.
Where Positive Thinking Actually Matters
When do you feel the need for positive thinking?
When you’re in the middle of the struggle, when you’ve already started, when the work is harder than expected, or the results are slower than you hoped.
Maybe everything in you wants to quit and a glimmer of positivity is what keeps you from quitting.
It’s like a lifebuoy in those dark times.
I know the feeling. When I began, it looked idyllic. The freedom to work the way I liked, doing what I enjoyed and getting to set the parameters.
But with the days turning to months and then years, and the results nowhere close to the expected targets, I wondered if I’d got it all wrong.
In those times, the occasional new project, or a comment from someone I looked up to, or a new subscriber made my day look brighter. And gave me the incentive to keep working.
There was no specific thought or line that turned the tide. It was instead the acceptance that the work was hard and challenging but not impossible that inspired me.
The positivity didn’t remove the struggle. It gave it validation.
Action First, Optimism Second
Most confuse motivation and positive thinking. They believe that motivation leads to positive thinking, which in turn creates action.
I feel it’s the other way round. Action creates positive thinking. You’ve got to take that first step to feel optimistic about the future.
It lets you persist when doubt appears. It gives meaning to effort, and a perspective to the setbacks.
Without any action, positive thinking is just imagination, something in your mind. It’s your actions which build the resilience to move in spite of the challenges.
Positive thinking has its uses only if it’s used properly, in the right time and situation. In the middle of your struggles, when quitting seems easier than continuing, not at the beginning.
It’s a powerful tool if you know when and how to use it. Use it well.
