The Importance Of Positive Thinking

In his article, The Power of Negative Thinking, Oliver Burkeman discusses the realities behind excessive optimism and the benefits to negative thinking. Specifically, Burkeman argues that positive thinking hinders the preparation and motivation necessary to tackle actual real world problems whereas negative thinking allows for such preparation. His argument’s strengths come from his constant use of logic in regards to his evidence whether it be the “fire walkers” in the first paragraph or the opinions of Barbara Ehrenreich in the paragraph nine. In short, Burkeman does a superb job of championing the benefits of pessimism through his criticism on positive thinking.

There are skeptics who believe positive thinking practices are a mere trend and wants society to stop encouraging it. Myth buster and author of Bright-Sided, Barbara Ehrenreich, goes as far as saying positive thinking has damaged America. In her book she comes down on positive thinkers insisting they need to be more realistic about the struggles that undoubtedly are coming into their lives. Disagreeing with certain peoples’ beliefs about the method of simply thinking goals into existence.

Thinking positively can be a difficult task, no matter the circumstance. When negativity fills you up like helium in a balloon you should always try to find the light in the darkness. Thinking positively doesn’t make the hard times disappear, it helps you survive negativity and the daily conflicts that challenge you. Looking on the bright side of things increases attentiveness, improves your ability to think, and leads to happier thoughts (Psychology Today). No matter what you are going through, you should always stay optimistic. “Man’s Search for Meaning” and “Dear Miss Breed” are great examples of how having a bright outlook can help you survive conflict.

For example, I attend college and I have to write this essay, struggling to get ideas out of my head. I always tell my parents that school is difficult and I want to quit college. They tell me this isn’t the right way to think of college, of course it will be tough, but it takes you to a better future. Without the knowledge of positive thinking, there would be so much negativity and people struggling to find definite answers to their own questions and concerns.

There are many different views on positive thinking whether it is to be positive all the time as suggested by the film The Secret, be a realist and don’t be delusional as stated by Barbara Ehrenreich in her speech “How Positive Thinking Undermines America”, or just be somewhere in between such as a person who is optimistic but not to the point where they expect something they want to come out of the blue, they have to work for it.

Positive thinking is one of the best ways to respond to conflict. In the following three stories Dear Miss Breed, I Am Malala, and Anne Frank show positive thinking. These stories will show how they used positive thinking in their lives. The teenagers showed how they used positive thinking when they had bad times.

With all of this negativity we hear in our personal and professional lives, as well as what we hear on television and the Internet, it's hard to maintain a positive mindset. This can lead to us becoming depressed and less productive in our professional and personal lives. This is why it is vital we maintain a positive mindset.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you notice the discouraging thoughts that make you feel bad. These thoughts are sometimes called irrational or automatic thoughts. Using Cognitive-behavioral therapy you can learn to stop these thoughts and replace them with helpful thoughts. Positive thinking, or healthy thinking, is a way to help you stay well or cope with a health problem by changing how you think. Its based on research that shows that you can change how you think. And how you think affects how you feel. If you think in a positive way, you may be more able to care for yourself and handle lifes challenges. You will feel better. And you may be more able to avoid or cope with stress, and depression.

Do you have an idea now why negative ideas can be so entrenched in your mind, and do you see why doing positive affirmations for a few weeks might not be enough to turn the tide of your own negative opinion?

An example of two positive thinking and optimism works for me is when I used to get panics attack I use to think positive close my eyes and take myself to a happy place it used to help it go away. Or when I work out telling myself you got this helps me get thru the workout.

Thinking in America is not used much anymore always trying to take advantage of thinking and having a clear mind to have an understanding of the day. I try to take advantage of my mind and to keep it clear from terrible thinking. Its always hard early morning to get into gear. I had to do some good thinking all day to ensure my thinking is useful for my education. Doing positive thinking will make a glorious day not to cloud the mind with negative. I try to encourage myself to keep positive thinking daily. My thoughts today was on education and keeping prayers to God. Having a little of yoga time before starting my weekly class work. Did I figure anything out today, yes to work slowly and keep my eye on God? I moved to Knoxville a year ago

According to www.adaa.org about 15 million Americans suffer from depression. The ability to think positively is essential in the average american’s life. Although life has its many ups and downs it is important to stay positive through them all. “As a man thinketh so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Additionally, this quote from the bible also portrays the idea that if positive thinking can help lead you to success and a life full of happiness. Therefore, if you think positive about the so called negative aspects of life then you will be happy, and happiness leads to success.

Many people especially athletes or players have reached to their level of success because of having a positive mind set. In life one has to try several things and in most cases if not all one ends up failing at the first attempt. However, having a positive kind-set will keep one focused since he or she knows that it is only a matter of time before the outcome starts going their ways. Many athletes do not in their first race and some have to spend more time in training with the belief that things soon will take a positive turn and they will start to reap the benefits. One cannot continue working after failing if they do not have a positive mind-set. Having a positive mind-set keeps one working even harder after failing not only once but even after having several attempts. For example, Anthony

That is why we all feel that we are having so much trouble in life. We think negatively because we do not believe that what we want can happen. So we basically continue to attract nothing more than negativity. The truth of it is that the things that we think are really happening right before our eyes.

Positive Psychology is the scientific study of what makes life most worth living (Seligman, M). As it is a scientific method outcomes need to be tested against evidence. It involves the cultivation of positive thinking which equates to improvements in various areas of life, such as health, wealth and happiness.