Comments on: Pollyanna On Ecstasy: Why Positive Thinking Just Doesn’t Work

By: Mary E. Ulrich

Mary E. Ulrich — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:24:14 +0000

Even Robert Schuller, a guru of Positive Thinking says it is all about the action.

I love Oprah because she is a doer. But, someday I’ll share how I was kicked out of my Oprah book club because I thought The Secret and The Power of Now were ridiculous.
Mary E. Ulrich´s last blog ..Son with Asperger’s interviews Mom

By: Sangeeta Iyer

Sangeeta Iyer — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 05:23:15 +0000

Bang on, brilliant, right on the button.

“Positive thinking” can totally be self-deluding if you just leave it at wishful thinking. What we actually need to do is thoughtful wishing – followed up by lots of action fuelled by that belief!

By: Why You Can’t Make That Habit Stick (Part One)

Why You Can’t Make That Habit Stick (Part One) — Mon, 17 May 2010 04:57:31 +0000

[...] off, I’m not going to give you the typical positive thinking tripe about how if you just start thinking happy thoughts and follow my 3-step formula everything will [...]

By: TDG

TDG — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:14:30 +0000

I like your post and agree with most of what you said but not all of it, maybe just because of how you said it. I agree with you that the world’s definition of positive thinking is not great. In reality, everyone can have their definition based upon their own perception.

My definition of positive thinking is “faith without works is dead.” Faith is an action word and we all can have faith in positive or negative things. Fear is faith in what can go wrong instead of what can go right. Positive thinking (by my definition) is a part of a positive process. First you have to hear or see positive things, think about those positive things, then act on those positive things to get positive results.

It is safe to say “positive thinking alone doesn’t guarantee positive results” for many occurrences outside of our control can happen. But for what you can control in your mind, positive thinking is necessary for dealing with problems.

Here is how I see positive thinking worked for you:
1. You saw an answer to the problem of the general worldview about positive thinking (see or hear)
2. You eventually thought you could write an article about it (positive thinking)
3. You wrote what you thought about (action)
4. Now your thoughts are posted in an online article for the world to see
(Now the problem has been dealt with but not solved until the world agrees with you.)

By saying “Positive Thinking Just Doesn’t Work” you’re indirectly saying “Negative Thinking Does Work.” It definitely does if you want be in a bad mood; but it’s obvious that in reality, negative thinking doesn’t work to make things better.

Think positive and Live It 2 The Fullest!
TDG

By: How To Train Yourself To Be In The Mood You Want

How To Train Yourself To Be In The Mood You Want — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:27:01 +0000

[...] you don’t generally have the mental energy to pull out. Willpower doesn’t help, and “positive thinking” sure as hell doesn’t help. But falling back on a framework of steps does help, because we humans function well when we have [...]

By: Lexi Rodrigo

Lexi Rodrigo — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:28:38 +0000

OMG, I totally get what you mean. One of my sisters totally buys into this New Age, Law of Attraction, positive thinking, affirmations BS and I just want to strangle her sometimes!

I like your definition of positive thinking, because you’ve included what so many self-help programs leave out: action. Positive thinking gives us the confidence to go after our goals, in spite of our fears and in spite of having a full awareness of our limitations. That’s why positive thinking works.

It’s not about turning a blind eye on problems, deficiencies and problems. It’s being aware of all that and yet still believing we can accomplish something valuable.

Lexi
Lexi Rodrigo´s last blog ..Day 31: Compete in the Freelancing Marketplace

By: joy

joy — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:58:21 +0000

Yes, I agree that we should not take that ’secret’ story word for word because I found a lot of it being quite vain if you ask me. If you have a disease or a loved one dies does it mean you didn’t think positively enough? People should learn that you have power to do amazing things but you don’t have power to do EVERYTHING. Some things are beyond your control- deal with it. I’m a christian (not a judgemental one) and I’ve always believed in this- Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

By: elvis

elvis — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 08:43:48 +0000

I think we should skip all this pop-psychology(self-help) stuff and just take a college course or buy a book on logic. Then continue reading philosophy literature(books and magazines). You don’t have to get a Phd on it just make it your hobby. Get into the habit of it. I suggest you focus on logic, epistemology and the philosophy of science.

By: Tomorrow’s Star Bloggers Talk About Blogging at Weekly Articles About Blogging - NxE

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:04:44 +0000

[...] Pollyanna On Ecstacy: Why Positive Thinking Just Doesn’t Work [...]

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:38:48 +0000

Good observations. Positive thoughts are the necessary starting point for success. They are what give you the hope and courage to get up off the couch and try to achieve something. They are the spark plugs that get your engine going, but if you don't have an engine you're in trouble. Eric's last blog post..Olympic Tidbits 2008