Positive Thinking vs. Productive Thinking

Monday Distinction #9

We hope you enjoyed last week’s series of inspirational and motivational videos. Get ready this week for a series of Top 7 Lists related to your career development and management. However, for now, let’s delve into today’s Monday Distinction.

Positive Thinking

Positive thinking is touted as the golden standard for developing a mindset that is impactful and life-changing. To be positive is to focus on the good in a situation or circumstance – while downplaying (or even negating – if you will) the negative. Here is a controversial thought for you – positive thinking is not always a good, productive and forward moving state of mind.

Now … we are not suggesting that you replace the positive with negative thinking. We are, instead,suggesting that you replace purely positive thinking with thinking that is productive.

Productive Thinking

What does this mean? Well … productive thinking requires that you (i) take an accurate assessment of what is happening in a particular instance, (ii) create an action plan to deal with the situation and (iii) keep your thoughts and energy focused on the solution that is generated from your action plan.

Negative …Positive … Productive - Thinking

Here is an example to make this distinction more real for you. Let us say that you have been given six (6) months notice that your job is being eliminated.

Negative thinking focuses on an outcome in which you will be jobless in six months.

Positive thinking focuses on an outcome in which everything will turn out just fine for you. The problem is … positive thinking does not require any action – or that you focus on the fact that your job is going to be eliminated.

Productive thinking requires that you (i) accept that your job will be eliminated, (ii) keep in mind that everything will work out in a way that benefit you and, most importantly, (iii) stay focused on an action plan that will take you from your current position (which is being eliminated) to a new professional opportunity that embraces your strengths and talents. See the difference? If not, contact us at UpwardAction Coaching and we’ll walk you through this important distinction.

Today’s UpwardAction Assignment:

Examine areas in your life in which your positive thoughts need to be replaced with productive –action oriented thoughts. Drop us a line at coaching@upwardaction.com to let us know how today’s distinction has provided clarity for you. We love to hear from our readers.

Until next time … Take Great Care!

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