Seth's Blog: The problem with positive thinking
sethgodin.typepad.com
Seth's Blog: The problem with positive thinking
1–10 of 21 posts
Re: Seth's Blog: The problem with positive thinking
#2Positive thinking is a good start but positive acting is even better. For instance it works perfect in raising children. See Triple P
http://www.gov.mb.ca/triplep/
Re: Seth's Blog: The problem with positive thinking
#3This piece is surprisingly profound. Here is the key insight:
Negative thinking feels good.
I think this is exactly right.
A compounding factor is habit. Once you've being doing the same thing over and over, it feels good to keep doing it and uncomfortable not to.
Another reason why negative thinking feels good is that it's passive, and it's easier to be passive than active.
Re: Seth's Blog: The problem with positive thinking
#4This piece is surprisingly profound. Here is the key insight: Negative thinking feels good. I think this is exactly right. A compounding factor is habit. Once you've being doing the same thing over and over, it feels good to keep doing it and uncomfortable not to. Another reason why negative thinking feels good is that it's passive, and it's easier to be passive than active.
negative thinking feels good because it proves us right when things go wrong. it's easy to make things go wrong when you believe that'll happen. that dopamine hit when you're right feels damn good.
>Another reason why negative thinking feels good is that it's passive, and it's easier to be passive than active.
negative thinking absolves one of responsibility. you can think "this plan won't work, so i'm gonna sit back and watch it fail" and enjoy being a critic instead of a participant.
Re: Seth's Blog: The problem with positive thinking
#5In regards to running a startup I have found that analyzing the worst case scenario (negative thinking) has helped shape smart decisions a lot more than positive thinking. I find that this is especially true with entrepreneurs where positive thinking has frequently been the downfall of many great companies (ie. build products -> make free -> ??? -> make money)
Re: Seth's Blog: The problem with positive thinking
#6In regards to running a startup I have found that analyzing the worst case scenario (negative thinking) has helped shape smart decisions a lot more than positive thinking. I find that this is especially true with entrepreneurs where positive thinking has frequently been the downfall of many great companies (ie. build products -> make free -> ??? -> make money)
You're not talking about the same thing. It's entirely possible to analyze worst-case scenarios without feeling overwhelmed, miserable, or doomed. Indeed the analysis will be better that way.
Re: Seth's Blog: The problem with positive thinking
#7In regards to running a startup I have found that analyzing the worst case scenario (negative thinking) has helped shape smart decisions a lot more than positive thinking. I find that this is especially true with entrepreneurs where positive thinking has frequently been the downfall of many great companies (ie. build products -> make free -> ??? -> make money)
You're not talking about the same thing. It's entirely possible to analyze worst-case scenarios without feeling overwhelmed, miserable, or doomed. Indeed the analysis will be better that way.
I never said negative thinking is overwhelming. I think it's exactly the opposite. Once you can come to terms with your worst-case scenario (ie. quitting and getting a job again when it fails), it frees a lot of burden and helps you work harder.
Re: Seth's Blog: The problem with positive thinking
#8Earlier quoted context omitted.
You're not talking about the same thing. It's entirely possible to analyze worst-case scenarios without feeling overwhelmed, miserable, or doomed. Indeed the analysis will be better that way.
I never said negative thinking is overwhelming. I think it's exactly the opposite. Once you can come to terms with your worst-case scenario (ie. quitting and getting a job again when it fails), it frees a lot of burden and helps you work harder.
There is no issue here, merely semantic confusion: we're using the phrase "negative thinking" to mean different things.
Re: Seth's Blog: The problem with positive thinking
#9Earlier quoted context omitted.
I never said negative thinking is overwhelming. I think it's exactly the opposite. Once you can come to terms with your worst-case scenario (ie. quitting and getting a job again when it fails), it frees a lot of burden and helps you work harder.
There is no issue here, merely semantic confusion: we're using the phrase "negative thinking" to mean different things.
Think of it this way: planning for negative scenarios is generally implies that you're willing to deal with them. To be willing to deal with them, you probably think that you're capable of dealing with them.
Even though dealing with negative situations isn't kittens-and-puppies happy, it is solidly optimistic. That's the kind of positive thinking that helps you.
Re: Seth's Blog: The problem with positive thinking
#10What is "positive thinking"?