5 Questions That Trigger Positive Thinking
Imagine lying in the mud repeating, “I’m on top of the world.” Positive thinking won’t get you out of the mud. You have to get up. But mindset is crucial to success.
Positive thinking is useful when it feeds action.
5 questions that trigger positive thinking:
#1. What’s the worst that could happen?
You may discover that the worst isn’t that bad. You might upset someone. Maybe you’ll be embarrassed. You probably won’t die from embarrassment.
#2. What’s the bravest thing you could do today?
Only fools believe lies. You know you’re lying to yourself when you say, “I’m brave,” when you’re shaking in your boots.
Challenge yourself with the ‘bravest question’ instead of lying to yourself.
Don’t judge your response. Just go do it. Action feeds optimism.
Warning: Busyness is an escape when you avoid what you fear. The bravest thing you can do today is face fear, not avoid it.
#3. What am I good at?
Take the VIA Character Strengths Survey. (Click here and look for the yellow button in the upper right. The location of the free version is valid on 4/24/2023.)
#4. What have I accomplished in the past?
You forget your accomplishments when darkness clouds your thinking. You learned to wipe your own bottom and read.
How might past accomplishments apply to present challenges?
#5. What can I learn from this challenge?
Life is a learning experience.
Begin an ‘I’m learning journal’. You might begin with hard truths like, “I’m learning that I’m discouraged.” There’s no sense denying reality.
Bonus: What am I grateful for right now?
Are you eating buttery popcorn? Be thankful for tastebuds. Life is filled with small benefits. You say, “Thank you,” when someone holds the door for you. Put that on your list.
Which of the above questions seem useful to you? Why?
What questions that trigger positive thinking can you add to the list?
Still curious:
How to turn Negative Rumination into Useful Reflection
How to Resolve the Negative Realities of Positive Thinking
The Quick Path from Negative to Positive Emotion for Leaders and Teams
Positive thinking:
1. What are the best things that could happen?
2. Who will benefit from my actions?
3. How will I grow as a person?
Thanks Paul.
I have heard a saying : Positive thinking may not get you success, BUT Negative thinking Guarantees failure…
Thanks CV. There is value in thinking about things that could go wrong, high risk situations for example. But overall, pessimism demotivates. Pessimists thrive in hierarchy where people need to fear doing anything wrong.
I might also suggest the “Encyclopedia of Positive Questions”. Does a nice job of reviewing how using appreciative inquiry can change/ has changed organizations. Who doesn’t want to read about positivity (and its not the size of a standard encyclopedia :))? I am not affiliated with this publication, but have found it useful in thinking about how to frame an issue to consider possibiities.
Thanks Deanna. I was not aware of this little resource. I found it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3V4IoEw
Sometimes looking at the worst thing that can happen is a guaranteed recipe for inertia. There’s nothing like knowing you could kill somebody to shrink your options.