 |
Are you a Real Positive Thinker!
Author: Vivek Ray  | Posted: 27-04-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 14 | Rating: (52)  (?) 
 “No positive thinking can get you anything,
But it can get everything better than negative thinking can” - Zig Ziglar
Positive thinking is a favorite topic of most self help books and inspirational speakers. So, much has been written and said about it that I had started feeling that I can get anything simply my thinking positively about it. In fact, many life coaches (including myself in past) advocated positive thinking as a quick fix for all. I plead guilty of telling people that their failure can be attributed to their not being positive enough.
Over years I realized that simply thinking positively will not accomplish anything. The kind of positive thinking that a lot of people talk about is in a way denial of reality. It is great to think positive and speak positive. But what it can accomplish if it is not supported by the ability and skill. I am 34, and have never played football in my life. It does not matter how positive I think or speak, I can not become a professional footballer at this age. Simply because, to become a professional footballer, one has to start young and then acquire skill and ability over number of years.
This kind of unrealistic and impractical positive thinking actually can do more harm than good over the long run. This makes a person to shut his eyes from the problems and make them live in a fantasy world. In the end the person gets depressed and then proclaims that positive thinking is actually non-sense and yields no results.
As Zig Ziglar the great inspirational speaker and author says that, positive thinking can not get you any thing, but it can get you everything better than negative thinking can. There is a school student who is not good with numbers. Now, if is prone to negative thinking, he will have no hope and he will make no efforts to improve his ability. As a result he will surely fail in arithmetic. However he takes a positive decision, he will work on it and at least pass, even if not making it to the top grade. Any day, just passing is definitely better than failing.
So, if he makes sufficient effort in arithmetic and devotes maximum time to the subjects that uses his ability, he may barely pass in arithmetic but do extremely well in other subjects, making his overall grade as one of the top in the class. Now, that is Positive thinking and positive attitude.
It is therefore time to explain when and how we can use positive thinking to maximize the blessings that life has to offer. It is time to define what exactly positive thinking is. So, you are a positive thinker if you:
1. Believe in yourself and see yourself in positive light: It is important to have a healthy self image. A healthy self-image means a healthy acceptance of ones own self. All of us have different abilities and attributes that make us different and unique. If you do not have a particular ability that does not mean that you are inferior to others. Accepting your natural abilities and believing that they can help you to achieve success in life is the first step towards positive thinking.
2. Accept that problems exist and find solutions: Situations and circumstances are not always favorable, but they must not affect your thinking or attitude. Accepting the fact that situations will be difficult and there always will be problems is essential to keep a positive attitude towards them. Many pseudo positive thinkers often will not allow themselves or others to talk about problems. How can you solve problems and find alternatives if you do not discuss them. Pondering over them to find solutions is not negative thinking. Making them an excuse for not trying, or shutting your eyes to them as if they do not exist is definitely negative response to negative situations.
3. Take up challenges and grow: I advocate that positive thinking will help you to make best use of your existing abilities to achieve great heights in your life. At the same time it requires positive thinking to accept challenges to acquire new skills and abilities. Don’t get stuck with what you have. Accept challenges, and be ready to fail and learn from it. Failure is not a failure if you have learned something that makes you a better person. On the contrary any failure when taken positively will take you a bit towards success. Learn from your mistakes and grow.
4. Learn to say next: It requires lots of positive thinking to be able to say next. The ‘Next’ denotes forward motion; it denotes hope and therefore is positive. If you want to dig a well what you are supposed to do? The answer is simple dig. But what will you do, if you strike a big rock. You start digging in other place (unless you have the equipments that can dig past the rock). Same way, learn to accept rejection and move forward. Wishing that the rock will disappear by its own is negative thinking as it will not produce desired results.
5. Be ready to make changes: Is there a point in digging a well, when you can simply buy a bottle of mineral water. Know when to quit and change your plans. If repetition of same action is giving you same results, look back at them. It is positive thinking to have belief in yourself; but there is no point in feeling positive for plans that are not giving desired results. May be the course that you had chosen was not the right one for you. There is no point at sticking with a job or a career that is not giving you satisfaction either financially or spiritually. Learn to differentiate between the vehicle and the destination. Keep your eyes on your dreams and goals and be ready to change the vehicles to reach them.
6. Keep hope and faith in trying situations: It so happened that I lost everything in a venture what my wife and I had earned over a period of six years. Things looked pretty bad as we had no money left. I was thoroughly depressed and was feeling hopeless. (At that time I was not bitten by the positive thinking bug). Thankfully, my wife (who perhaps has more wisdom then I have) said, “If we are the rock bottom, there is only one place to go, and that is Up.” Now, that is a bit of positive attitude. We might have been bankrupt financially, but we still had our ability and skill. All it needed was the right attitude to make best use of them and come back. And that is what we did. In next five years we managed to become financially better off then before. It is all right to loose everything that is material, but if you have lost hope, you have lost everything. Most of the skilled people who are unemployed never find a job as they have been sold on to the idea that there are no jobs. So, they never make an effort to find one. Hope makes us to move forward, it helps us to say next, it helps us to make changes.
7. Do your best but submit to the will of God: This I believe is the mother of all positive thinking, the supreme faith. Bhagwat Gita the hindu scripture says “Perform your karma (action), do not worry about result.” Similarly Bible says “nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. (Luke 22:42). Both mean the same thing. Do what is to be done, put your best foot forward, but in the end leave the result in hands of the God. Have faith that God has a plan for us, and if our efforts are not producing desired results, it simply means that God has better plans for us. So as a positive thinker, you thank God for not only what you have, but also for what you have been denied as there are bigger blessings in store for you.
God Bless You!!!
Rate this Article:
Current: 5 / 5 stars - 1 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motivational-articles/are-you-a-real-positive-thinker-138615.html
About the Author:Vivek Ray is a Trainer, Motivator and Inspirational speaker. He is the CEO & Mentor of Success-Attitude Educational Services Inc. that is involved in people building activities at all levels. He owns the portal www.success-attitude.com providing free resources for self improvement and mentorship for success.
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
An Attitude of Gratitude
By: Sharron Myers | 08/01/2006 | Motivational
William James said, “The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind. “
So many times people become discontent with their lives and surroundings and is it any wonder?
What it Takes to be Successful
By: Lavena Ang | 15/11/2007 | Advice
Why do I fail? What’s missing? Read on to uncover what you need to be successful.
Journey to Love Light
By: Gary Eby | 03/05/2008 | Motivational
Learn Five Steps to increase self-esteem, confidence, and a stronger spiritual connection called Love-Light.
Lamp Gives Light, Tree Gives Shade
By: Vivek Ray | 05/05/2007 | Motivational
The greatness of an individual lies not in what he accumulates but what he gives. Jesus is great because he suffered on the cross so that we are saved. Gandhi was great as he fought for freedom and equality. Mother Teresa was great as she spent her life serving poor, sick and destitute.
Are you Being Taken for Guaranteed?
By: Vivek Ray | 30/09/2007 | Self Help
We are all taken for guaranteed once in a while. And sometimes we don’t even mind it, if it is done by someone whom we love and is really close to us. But if it is a regular thing that keeps on repeating itself, it surly hurts and irritates. This world is full of people who are complaining about been taken for guaranteed by their bosses, colleagues, spouse, friends, brother and sisters and even by their own children. They hate it, but never really are able to change it.
Ambition is the Key to Your Personal Power
By: Gerri D Smith | 25/01/2008 | Goal Setting
A positive attitude leads to personal power and is open to all of us. When directed toward positive goals, ambition is an attitude worthy of achieving. It helps you to act on any purpose you wish to accomplish. Here are seven worthy ambitions.
Positive Thinking Can Bring About Postive Outcomes
By: Chris Lowrey | 10/06/2008 | Parenting
Life may not always be fair but if you maintain a positive attitude, you will give your family a lifelong lesson of empowerment through your state of mind. Be a survivor, not a victim!
9 Tips On How To Build Positive Thinking
By: Ann Liu | 24/07/2007 | Self Help
Being the boss of your very own online business has its advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, you do not have anyone telling you what to do. On the other hand, you do not have anyone to give you that extra push or motivational support when you are feeling down and any emotional support.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
For God nothing is impossible?
By: Tablitas del Seor | 02-11-2007
For God nothing is impossible By Serafin Alarcón ! Dream! A world without wars, without politicians, without sickness, without drugs, without alcohol, without adultery, without lies, without treason, without envy and corruption? Can you dream, can you imagine. A world free from hunger, exploitation of the sex, without earth contamination, without child abuse, without elderly people left behind, without injustice and without merchants of the temple. ¿A sublime utopy? Pray? For God nothing is impossible. Serafín-Tablitas del Señorhttp://www.tablitas.9f.comhttp://www.yuwie.com/tablitas1http://www.youtube.com/ta1blitas
Where was Jesus Born?
By: Eck | 02-11-2007
Where was Jesus born?
Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder's Family Awarded $11Mill
By: Freezer | 01-11-2007
Do you think God really hate homosexuals?Would He kill soldiers (presumably heterosexual ones) to punish America for allowing homosexuality?Because this is what these people claim, and they shout it during funerals of the Iraq War casualties. At least this time they were asked to pay...Are they serious?
The existence of god
By: assafha | 30-10-2007
If there's no god, who pulls out the next tissue out of the tissue box ?
Visit the dead???
By: yeddangel | 30-10-2007
All Souls Day or All Saints Day, whatever you call it, it's the day when Christians (Catholic per se) visit their dead ones. However, with no offense, I was wondering why we should viist the dead when they even do not know what day it is? Is it because we do not want them to visit us? Although we use this day also to have a "reunion" with our loved ones, but hey, only the living ones...
Is there truth and honesty in the world these days?
By: siam | 25-10-2007
how can i get to meet truegood friends worldwide without being taken advantage of? Am an arican lady who knows what she wants but cannot get truth and honesty anywhere. Am a serious christian too.
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Motivational Articles
Mastering Your Mind Power: are Affirmations Really True?
By: Harold L Lowe | 20/08/2008
Affirmations are as true as the seeds you plant in your garden. Even though you cannot physically see the fruits of your labor immediately, you know that a harvest already pre-exists in the seeds.
You Can Make Social Security Obsolete
By: Robert | 20/08/2008
Learn how to create your own financial nest egg and retire early with easy to use principles that are changing peoples lives.
Create The Life You Want
By: Hans Thorn | 20/08/2008
Have you ever thought of how you can create the life you want? Discover how to create the finances, health and relationships you want.
Power of Positive Thinking
By: Dr John Anne | 20/08/2008
Positive Thinking is a common motivational method used to boost one's attitude and promote self growth. Keeping positive thinking is an attitude of mind that admits into the thoughts, words and images of mind
Obstacles in Building Self Confidence
By: Paul Hata | 20/08/2008
Some people simply have the talent to waste a lot of time without realizing it. They lack the self-discipline to stop their actions that waste time. Imagine a situation wherein you have a list of tasks to be completed successfully as a part of your confidence building program.
From Small Business To Big Business: Subway
By: Cash Miller | 20/08/2008
Entrepreneurs need inspiration. Because building a business is about having a vision and the will to succeed. The businesses in this series of articles have all started small and have since become icons of the business world. In this article we feature Doctor's Associates Inc. A.K.A. Subway.
Get Your Act Together or Admit That You Just Don't Get it
By: David G. Brooke | 19/08/2008
How to be More Productive
Staying Safe With Keychain Weapons
By: Xavier Tico | 19/08/2008
Small, potent self defens products that can be attached to a keychain offer an increased measure of safety, but the most important factor in self defense is preparedness and decisiveness when confronted by an attacker.
More from Vivek Ray
Are you Being Taken for Guaranteed?
By: Vivek Ray | 30/09/2007 | Self Help
We are all taken for guaranteed once in a while. And sometimes we don’t even mind it, if it is done by someone whom we love and is really close to us. But if it is a regular thing that keeps on repeating itself, it surly hurts and irritates. This world is full of people who are complaining about been taken for guaranteed by their bosses, colleagues, spouse, friends, brother and sisters and even by their own children. They hate it, but never really are able to change it.
How Deal With People Who Hurt you
By: Vivek Ray | 16/09/2007 | Self Help
There are certain people who seem to be out there with a mission to make your life miserable. They will do everything possible to make you feel bad, they will criticize you, humiliate you, abuse you and what not. You are a nice person and you are unable to figure out why these particular people are behaving in this odd fashion.
How I Became a Positive Person
By: Vivek Ray | 01/07/2007 | Motivational
Everybody has a story to share. So, have I. If reading my story inspires just one person in this world, I think my purpose will be solved. I was not always a positive person. I suffered from a griping sense of discontent. I was unable to derive satisfaction from my relationships. Though I had a number of acquaintances, I had very few friends. I was unable to use my talents and skills optimally. A non-believer, I never used to pray and had no faith. Of course I was spiritually bankrupt. To top it
Educate your Way to Success
By: Vivek Ray | 01/07/2007 | Self Help
Success is not a chance but a choice. More precisely it is an educated choice. I am yet to find a person who was just roaming on the streets and suddenly found himself a success, or a person got up one fine morning to find that he is successful. Success is always by design and a well formulated and executed plan.
Keys to Happiness
By: Vivek Ray | 01/07/2007 | Self Help
Most people honestly believe that they will be happy when they are able to get a job they want, but when they get it, they won’t be. They feel that they will be happy once they have a nice house- but they won’t be. Then they will be happy when they have put in everything neatly so that they can call the house their home – but they won’t be. Then a fancy car, an exotic vacation, etc. etc. but happiness seems to be eluding them. Is it really possible to have permanent happiness?
The Concept of Balanced Success
By: Vivek Ray | 01/07/2007 | Self Help
What is success? For different people success will mean different things. In this material world success is often equated with money one has and the kind of lifestyle one affords. Normally a person who lives in a big house or drives a fancy car or holds a good position in his office appears to be successful in the eyes of the world Success for most is achieving goals that gives them joy or pleasure. But unfortunately these achievements give short lived joy and this feeling of success is often a
Be Content, not Satisfied
By: Vivek Ray | 25/05/2007 | Motivational
Success is not permanent. The achievement, you are feeling happy about will not mean a thing to you tomorrow. You must have taken some journeys when you were young. You must have felt good when a milestone passed as you looked out of the window, and a moment later you were looking forward to next. But were you still excited about the journey you had just taken when you reached the destination?
Life is a Lemon
By: Vivek Ray | 20/05/2007 | Motivational
Squeeze a lemon, and it will produce a juice, too harsh to be palatable. But it forms the basis for lemonade, the world’s oldest refreshing drink. Like a lemon, life is full of sour things. It is full of challenges, hardships, pain and suffering. But in all this is hidden the seeds of greatest achievements, happiness and success. Life at times can even be cruel, but that is what makes it worth living.
|
|
Self Improvement 
