Positive Thinking: Can Positive Thinking Stop Someone From Taking Action?

If one has the need to achieve something, there are a number of different approaches that they can take. And what they do can all depend whether they like to think and then act, or whether they like to act and then think later.

When one prefers to think before they act, it might take them a while to get the ball moving; whereas if they prefer to take action, this might not be the case. Having said, it might not be this black and white.

The Goal

What could also play a part in what takes place is what it is that one wants to achieve, as it might not be necessary for them to do a lot of thinking. So regardless of whether they usually take the time to think things through; they could end up taking action straight away.

Along with this, if one had the tendency to act without thinking, they could also have moments when they hold back. Therefore, there is not always going to be a difference when it comes to how people behave.
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The First Step

With that aside, if one was to think about what they wanted to achieve, they may look into what steps they need to take. For example, one could have the desire to become a teacher, and this is likely to mean that they will probably need to get the right training.

The first step might be for them to go online and to find out where this can take place, and after this, they may need to sign up to a course. Thus, in a matter of time, they will be able to get the training that they need to teach others.

Mindset

Throughout this process, one may have been full of belief and experienced positive thoughts, and there would have been no reason for them to focus on having the right outlook. This could be a sign that they have a lot belief in themselves, and they may also have been surrounded by people who supported them.

At the same time, one may have had moments where they thought about if they had what it takes, and as a result of this, they may have spent time on their mindset. During this time, they may have read books on positive thinking or used affirmations, for instance.

The Balanced Approach

On one hand, they were taking action, and on the other hand, they made sure that they had the right outlook, as well as the right thoughts. Through taking this approach, it could be said that they were in balance, and this is what allowed them to move forward.

The opposite approach would have been for them to make sure they had the right outlook and to think positive, and then to do nothing else. This is something that would give them a boost, but that would be about as far as it would go.

Wasting Time

However, if one was to get caught up in having the right outlook and the right thoughts, they might not realise what is taking place. Due to this, one would be wasting time without realising it, or they might think that this is the only thing they need to do in order to achieve something.

Through having the right outlook and the right thoughts, they may believe that their life will fall into place, and while this may have been something they learnt through reading a book or watching a video, for instance, they may have picked it up from a friend. Perhaps it was a bit of both, and one developed this outlook through the kinds of things they learn when they were with their friends.

An Important Part

Now, it is clear to see that it is important for one to have a positive outlook and to have positive thoughts from time to time, as this will give them the encouragement that they need. If one didn’t have a positive outlook, they might not even take the first step.

This could cause one to believe that they have no control over their life, and it could then be normal for them to life a life that is not very fulfilling. In this case, it would be a good idea for them to develop themselves.

Inner Experience

And while one could believe that their life will fall into place through simply having the right outlook and the right thoughts; this might not be the only reason why they won’t take action. It can also come down to how they feel through having a positive outlook and always having positive thoughts.

Through changing what is taking place within them, they might no longer be aware of anything that is ‘negative’, and this can then cause them to no longer experience pain. As a result of this, they are no longer going to be in touch with the part of themselves that will drive them forward.

Discomfort

What this comes down to is that when one wants to achieve something, it is usually because they are experiencing some kind of discomfort. Their life is not how they want it to be, and this pain is there to give them the motivation they need.

So if one stays in touch with this pain, it can drive them forward; however, if one loses touch with it through only allowing themselves to have positive thoughts and to feel good, they could soon lose the desire to achieve something. What is taking place in their head will then have caused them to be complacent, and there will be no need for them to do anything.

Short-Term Fix

But as time begins to pass, they could soon find that their positivity begins to wear off, and this will then cause them to get in touch with their true feelings. Still, this doesn’t mean that one will be able to face how they feel, as they could end using the same approach all over again, and this process could go on and on.

A False Sense of Achievement

Yet it is not just the fact that one will be disconnecting from how they feel that will stop them from taking action; it is also because positive thinking can cause one to believe that they have already achieved something. Through using their mind to imagine what it would be like, they can get a sense of what it would be like.

And through being able to do this, they can feel as though they don’t need to do anything else. There is then going to be no reason for them to take action, as they have already achieved what they want to achieve.

Awareness

What this shows is how easy it can be for one to sabotage their own life through having the need to be positive all the time. One can pay attention to what is taking place within them without getting caught up in it.

And through being able to embrace what is ‘negative’, it will allow them to have a more balanced outlook and they will be able to use the pain that is within them to drive them forward. If one finds it hard to handle discomfort, it could be a sign that they need to develop mental and emotional strength.

This is something that can take place with the assistance of a therapist and/or a support group.

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Oliver JR Cooper
http://www.oliverjrcooper.co.uk/