Bob Bly Direct Response Copywriter Official Banner

The Power of Negative Thinking

November 26th, 2009 by Bob Bly

In her new book Bright-Sided, Barbara Ehrenreich makes clear she is not a fan of the law of attraction, and says that positive thinking is a “mass delusion.”

She also says the notion that our thoughts can directly affect the physical world is irrational.

To believe in the power of positive thinking, writes Ehrenreich, “requires deliberate self-deception, including a constant effort to repress or block out unpleasant possibilities and negative thoughts … [positive thinking] encourages us to deny reality, submit cheerfully to misfortune, and blame only ourselves for our fate.”

Even Martin Seligman, author of “Learned Optimism” and a proponent of positive thinking, noted in his book that the one advantage pessimists have over optimists is that their thinking is more realistic and therefore they are better equipped to handle life’s disappointments.

How about you? Are you a:

A. positive thinker …
B. realistic pessimist …
C. somewhere in between?

Share

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 12:08 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

72 responses about “The Power of Negative Thinking”

  1. Twitter Trackbacks for The Power of Negative Thinking - bly.com blog - bly.com direct marketing blog [bly.com] on Topsy.com said:

    […] The Power of Negative Thinking – bly.com blog – bly.com direct marketing blog bly.com/blog/general/the-power-of-negative-thinking – view page – cached In her new book Bright-Sided, Barbara Ehrenreich makes clear she is not a fan of the current law of attraction mania, calling positive thinking a “mass delusion.” […]

  2. Satvik said:

    I’m a positive thinker in the following sense: I believe in my ability to achieve what I want in the long run, and I believe that your mentality has a huge effect on your life. This isn’t because thinking automatically affects reality-it’s because human brains automatically look for the type of information that your mind is focused on.

    If you believe there’s a lot of opportunity to improve your world, you’re more likely to notice opportunity when it’s there. And if you’re optimistic about your future, you’re perfectly equipped to handle the temporary defeats that come along your way.

  3. William Reynolds said:

    The only reason Thomas Edison finally invented the light bulb, after a zillion failures, is because he chose to be happy that he’d found a zillion ways not to invent the light bulb. If that’s the power of positive thinking, then I’m grateful for it. Candlelight strains my eyes.

  4. Clay said:

    A pessimist takes a failure and sees it as just that – a failure. An optimist takes a failure and learns from it and moves forward.

    Optimism and “pollyanna” thinking are not the same things. I am a positive thinker – but I do understand that things don’t always come easily and without challenges.

    As Jigoro Kano, founder of judo, said – and I’m paraphrasing a little – the secret is when you get thrown seven times, to get up eight times.

  5. Andy said:

    I believe that I am more an optimist than a positive thinker. I’m not a big believer in the law of attraction. I do believe that if you are open-minded and have an optimistic attitude, you will recognize opportunities as they present themselves. I also believe that having a negative outlook prevents you from seeing these same opportunities. That is why I choose to be optimistic.

  6. Bill Perry said:

    I believe in the Law of Attraction because it works for me. That’s my litmus test.

    I will admit I get pissed at people who say “positive thinking” is useless.

    Negative thinking is far far worse. Negative thinking closes one’s mind to possibility and opportunity.

  7. David Vallieres said:

    There’s really no debate. If you think ‘you can’, you can… if you think ‘you can’t’ then why even try? You already know ‘you can’t’. This is what I call the “T” factor of success. You can be a realist or a pessimist or anything else but if you want to accomplish something in this life that’s worthwhile you need to THINK about a problem and turn it over and over in your mind until a solution appears. It has nothing to do with the law of attraction, positive thinking or anything else. The brain is a powerful tool, that’s all. If you know your brain is a tool then it can help you if you know how to use it. If you know it’s purpose, limitations and strengths you can use it to create your own life as you want it to be.

  8. Steve Rainwater said:

    One of my biggest strengths has always been to make the most of a good opportunity when I recognize it as such. I can list several periods in my life that have made huge positive impact because I recognized them and acted, or fell into them and reacted well.

    I am optimistic by nature but analyze things to death in the evaluation process. My wife takes this as negative, but I tell her it is just sorting things out.

    This year, following a second read of the renowned Think and Grow Rich, I took proactive steps (for the first time ever, I might add) to implement the Law of Attraction in my life – beginning in the Fall of 2008 (with written goals, daily meditation, shared a copy with my wife, made myself accountable to others, etc.) to prepare for 2009). To Bill’s litmus test above, it did NOT work for me…not even close. If I listed the number of personal, family and business difficulties I experienced this year it would blow the readers hair back, so I’ll spare you.

    As my optimistic self however, I continue to view the future as full of opportunity, which I’ll access better due to many lessons learned, so I can also call it a good year. slr

  9. Bamboo Forest - PunIntended said:

    I find that feeling disappointed is the result of not giving it our all. That’s the real cause of disappointment. Failure really isn’t.

    And the fact of the matter is, when engaging any task and believing it will result in a positive outcome we are sending a direct message to our nervous system to get the job done, successfully.

    On the other hand, when doubt reins supreme and you don’t have that edge that’s generated by positive thinking, your outcome will undoubtedly be compromised.

    So if thinking positively increases performance, than I’m all for it! The best athletes in the world believe they are going to do well every time. If they were to have some doubt in that area, their performance would show it. Of course this doesn’t guarantee success, but it certainly stacks the cards in your favor!

    I’m not a believer in the law of attraction for the most part. It’s pretty redicilous.

    Though I do believe our beliefs play a HUGE role in how we perform.

    The best personal development book I’ve ever read by a very large margin is “Awaken the Giant Within” by Anthony Robbins. He speaks at length of the importance of believing in ourself and how that can change everything. And yes, believing in oneself is really what positive thinking is.

    Though I’m sure everyone has heard this before, it merits repeating.

    Roger Bannister was the first man to ever run the 4 minute mile. Shortly after his achievement many others followed suit.

    Why?

    Did everyone across the globe all of a sudden by some mysterious coincidence begin to grow more muscle tissue? No.

    One simple factor changed: People began to believe it could be done. And then rapidly it began to be done over and over again by many different runners.

    The power of belief is huge. When we believe in ourselves we are engaging in positive thinking.’

    Really… My approach to this kind of thing is simple: What works? What gives the best results?

    That’s all I care about… the politics of it do nothing for my life. Pursuing strategies that have proven to show results since the beginning of time is what I’m looking for.

  10. Mele said:

    I agree with Bamboo Forest—do what works. What works for me is feeling confident in reaching my goals. I feel confident in reaching my goals by trying things out, choosing that which I am best at, and going for it.

  11. Kyle said:

    I like the term ‘Possibility Thinking’.

    You do find what you are looking for. Tony Robbins does a simple exercise. Close your eyes. Now open them and for 5 seconds find only things that are Red. Then,do Brown.

    Likewise, If you are looking for negative you will find more of it. Tony Schwartz says humans default to negative so it does take effort to look for creative possibilites.You don’t have to deny reality to look for possibilities.

  12. David Singhiser said:

    Being realistic or negative always helped me be depressed.

    Being realistic or negative always helped me quit early.

    Being realistic or negative always helped me be alone.

    Faith and hope on the other hand . . .

  13. Jack Courtney said:

    It depends on the situation. But most of the time, I’m a positive thinker. I always bear in mind that there are so many ways to solve a problem. As long as we know our ability and capacity, everything will be fine.

  14. Jeff W said:

    The fact that thought is produced by a gelatinous blob floating in fluid contained in a hard bony case is irrational. Yet…

  15. Jessie Jacob said:

    Being too positive thinker can make you more lax or confident that you think that everything will change even with a minimal effort coming from you to make it possible. However, if you are a negative thinker, you tend to attract more bad vibes into life. Same way with positive thinker, you get nothing from it. So for me, realistic pessimistic is much better then be a positive thinker from time to time.

  16. Jack Mower said:

    I’m more on in between. I tend to be realistic at times, but still think positive in order to solve any possible issues.

  17. Elisha Dusky said:

    Currently it sounds like Expression Engine is the preferred blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?

  18. Claude Reitano said:

    stop that shit

  19. Sachin Pande said:

    sulekha India Tours Package – Planning Tour? Book Sulekha India Tour Package online from Sulekha holidays at best price. Visit now to get exclusive offers on Tour Packages ..

  20. English sex stories said:

    This is very informative article

  21. zaynting said:

    (text) is all you need

  22. One Dasty said:

    Bringing home a new puppy is a wonderful experience involving the whole family, which is why we begin training early to eoverwhelming at first, but by offering our customers a great amount of support, we assist in the preparations to make it less stressful. To provide a completely different environment for our puppies, we thoroughly researched and make sure this puppies will only go to respectable families
    https://pugslandbreeder.company.com

  23. robert said:

    https://savannahbengal.company.com/

  24. Ndure Shoes said:

    Ndure offers their customers the highest quality hoods and pullover hoodies for boys. Get the best available boys Hoodies and girls hoodies in Pakistan. All types of denim jackets for boys so they can stay in comfort without compromising on style. So, come to Ndure for amazing pullover hoodies for boys.

    Ndure offers their customers the highest quality children’s Tracksuits of all types, including both boys tracksuits and girls tracksuits. Get the best available Tracksuits for grils in Pakistan. Ndure brings the best Tracksuits for Kids online. So, buy high-quality tracksuits for girls.

  25. Hanoon said:

    Planning your enterprise SEO strategy for 2022? Don’t miss these five important trends you should have on your radar.
    Check out a writer’s 3 tips for crafting compelling web copy for both human readers and search engines. Writing for SEO doesn’t have to hamper creativity.

  26. margot19 said:

    The writer understand better the mind of people what they want to learn through their writing therefore this article is outstanding. Thanks!!! dinosaur game

  27. John Dustin said:

    Nice info for more info check:

    xero courses online australia

  28. John East said:

    Nice post for more info check:

    Best Emergency Services Course Melbourne

  29. billyroberts said:

    Feelings
    There are several reasons to write about your feelings when writing an essay for college. One reason is that college admissions committees want to see growth, so focus on medical research paper writing service growth. Include a moment in your life when you came to a realization that molded your personality. Colleges do not want to read about a traumatic experience, so instead, make the essay relevant to your present. You can write about your family, your culture, or your educational goals.

  30. colorman said:

    coloring pages – a quiet, calm, emotional time

  31. Jadar said:

    Nice info for more info check:
    fine arts course online

  32. Ragi said:

    Great info for more check patient transfer officer

  33. Desktop Man said:

    Desktop MenDesktop Man is a Professional Technology Platform. Here we will provide you only interesting content, which you will like very much.

  34. Chinyere said:

    Chinyere is offering trousers for girls. Check out chinyere bottom collection online.

  35. Alexpeter said:

    Our career coaches have decades of experience and have taken thousands of interviews across different industries – so you’ll be in AMAZINGGG hands for your Interview Tips

  36. hazeljames said:

    website development Ireland and Dublin offers a complete digital solution in taking your business online. Our Award Winning Agency not only devises strategies for your brand, but we own it like our own.

  37. carls12 said:

    Business Analyst produces reports that will be presented to Microsoft end-customers, sellers, and partners. You will take data collected from their infrastructure environment to create business analytics and a Cloud Migration Business Case for presentation to Customer.

  38. ash12 said:

    Satisfy Rooms by FlightsnTravel give you the luxury rooms for stay

  39. metroshoes said:

    Metro shoes is offering their customers the highest quality men’s shoes and women’s shoes. Get the latest women’s shoes sale on brands online from the Metro shoes store today. So, buy only the best women’s wallets, and ladies handbags online from Metro shoes. We bring you only the latest and most stylish shoes for boys and girls.

  40. Highway Fashions said:

    Check the latest Emaan Adeel collection online at Highway Fashions. Highway Fashions offers the latest collection of Emaan Adeel at affordable prices. So, Get your favorite dresses online in all over Pakistan today.

  41. Wordle Bot said:

    You can currently use WordleBot anywhere, on any web browser or tool, as long as you’re logged into your Times account. Wordle is free for all. However, WordleBot is meant for times gaming, information, or reaching all customers.

  42. Borjan said:

    Borjan presents the best collection of necklace for girls online in Pakistan. Explore the variety of girls’ necklaces online at Borjan. Grab your favorite necklaces online at affordable prices today.

  43. kamsiah said:

    INFO TERBARU TEXAS77
    Minimal deposit ke Bank 10 rb
    Minimal withdraw 25.rb
    Minimal deposit ke pulsa 10 rb tanpa potongan
    (syarat withdraw TO x5 khusus pulsa)
    Ayo bosku buruan deposit..
    dan juga kami ingin menginfokan kepada bosku semua nya
    Bahwasanya dalam permainan server slot PG Soft dan pragmatic play sedang banyak jackpot besar nya bos
    di coba kembali bermain bersama kami bosku ^^
    hanya dengan minimal deposit sebesar 10rb bosku bisa mendapatkan hadiah hingga puluan juta rupiah ^^

  44. toni eka saputra said:

    ??i nh? c? h?i trúng l?n, nào, ??ng b? l? c? h?i ngàn vàng này, hãy th? ch?i slot ?ang ch?i nhi?u nhân l?n ngay hôm nay, link ??ng ký :https://www.asia99.work/vn/

  45. Spacebar Counter said:

    Spacebar counter is a great tool to speed up your spacebar button. It is an online tool and completely free for everyone.

  46. Spacebar Clicker said:

    A spacebar counter is a tool or software that counts the number of times the spacebar on a keyboard is pressed.

  47. Mushtaq said:

    Shop the latest collection of Maria B Online at Mushtaq. Discover premium quality designs, convenient online shopping, and unbeatable prices. Update your wardrobe with ease and style.

  48. jhon bill set said:

    Andrew stays informed about emerging legal issues in the technology sector, such as artificial intelligence ethics, autonomous vehicles, and data security, to anticipate potential legal challenges for his clients. Startup attorney

  49. Shahtaj said:

    Explore Shahtaj Qaiser’s collection of beautiful Pakistani bridal dresses for Barat ceremony. Discover a range of traditional and modern designs, carefully crafted with attention to the little things. Enhance your bridal appearance with our lovely handcrafted ensembles. Shop now!

  50. Deutech said:

    Protect your skin from harmful UV rays with Deutech’s best sunscreen in Pakistan. With a lightweight and non-greasy surface, Deutech’s sunscreen quickly absorbs into the skin, providing long-lasting sun protection without leaving a residue. Deutech offers the best sunscreens to its customers. Shop now!

  51. beer said:

    What a fantabulous publish this has been. By no means seen this kind of useful submit. I am thankful to you and expect more wide variety of posts like those.
    https://totowho.com/

  52. BabyBoxShop said:

    Make the new baby girl feel extra special with our personalised baby girl gifts. Our selection includes adorable items that can be customised with the baby’s name or initials, adding a unique and sentimental touch to the present. Celebrate her arrival with a personalised gift that she’ll cherish for years to come.

  53. iHost VPS said:

    Elevate your online presence with the iHost VPS domain. This domain reflects expertise in VPS hosting, instilling trust in your clients. Establish a professional and memorable web identity that sets you apart in the hosting industry.

  54. Lele247 said:

    LELE247 ialah situs game judi online 24jam terpercaya yang Sediakan banyak tipe game judi semacam, taruhan bola, c4sino, p0ker online, tembak ikan, sabung ayam. Kamu tidak wajib merasa repot lagi mencari situs judi lain yang belum pasti dapat membagikan kemenangan. Sebab cuma dengan 1 akun kamu telah dapat memainkan seluruh tipe game judi24 online terpercaya secara lengkap.

  55. RF Module said:

    433.92Mhz RXB22 Superheterodyne Receiver Module RXB22

  56. Crash games said:

    KhelRaja crash games online cater to a wide range of tastes. Whether you prefer smashing cars, causing explosions, or embarking on a chaotic rampage, we have a game that suits your preferences. Our collection includes classic crash scenarios, daring stunts, and creative challenges that will keep you entertained for hours on end.

  57. We Buy Dead Stocks.. said:

    Explore the bustling Sharjah scrap market, where opportunity meets sustainability. We Buy Dead Stocks is your gateway to this vibrant marketplace, offering top value for your surplus materials. As the largest dead stocks buyer in the UAE, we provide a seamless experience, ensuring your assets find new purpose.

  58. We Buy Dead Stocks.. said:

    At We Buy Dead Stocks we understand the value of unused, unwanted, or outdated stock. As dedicated used stock buyer, we specialize in providing a hassle-free solution for individuals and businesses looking to liquidate their surplus inventory. With our expertise and industry knowledge, we offer a seamless process that helps you maximize the value of your dead stock and turn it into profit.

  59. We Sell Dead Lots.. said:

    For those searching ‘circuit breaker near me’, We Sell Dead Lots is your solution. We connect you with quality electrical components and circuit breakers, sourced from reputable suppliers in the UAE. Experience a convenient and competitive marketplace, where you can find the circuit breakers you need at your fingertips.

  60. CAvpshost said:

    Discover unbeatable value with CaVPS Host’s cheap Windows VPS Europesolutions. Our hosting services are tailored for those seeking top-tier performance at budget-friendly prices. With data centres strategically located in Europe, you can expect low latency and lightning-fast speeds. Enjoy the power of a dedicated Windows environment without the hefty price tag. Our VPS plans offer flexibility, security, and reliable uptime, all at a fraction of the cost. Elevate your online presence with our affordable Windows VPS hosting and experience the CaVPS Host advantage today!

  61. jhon bill set said:

    Spanish-speaking clients can contact Fausto’s Bail Bonds at 855-328-7867 for help with surety bonds. Fausto Atilano

  62. Baby Box said:

    A baby gift box is a thoughtfully curated package of items designed to celebrate and welcome a newborn baby into the world. These gift boxes typically contain a variety of baby essentials and adorable items that can be given as a present to new parents or caregivers.

  63. farhan said:

    Users should be aware that New Rabbit’s unofficial status may impact the reliability and authenticity of the content provided. ???

  64. shantotd said:

    Men’s professional rugby union club teams from Australia, Fiji, Super Rugby fixtures New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands compete in Super Rugby. Teams from South Africa, Japan, and Argentina have previously participated.

  65. prity chavda said:

    I really love this one.
    call girl in Delhi.

  66. travel agency said:

    this one is really good one.
    https://www.yourvacationdmc.com/dmc-in-bali/

  67. Detective Agency said:

    the best private Detective agency in Delhi
    involves a careful consideration of various factors. From reputation and expertise to legal compliance and client-centric practices, these agencies embody excellence in the field of private investigations

  68. shantotd said:

    Originally known as the Super 12, Super Rugby began in 1996 as a group of 12 teams from South Africa, New Zealand, and Super Rugby Pacific Australia, expanding upon earlier tournaments such as the 1986 South Pacific Championship. When the sport went professional in 1995, SANZAR created the Super 12.

  69. Luke Mitchell said:

    Our team of over 40 professionals also offers comprehensive IT consultancy, leveraging cutting-edge technology in custom software development, data analytics, cybersecurity, and cloud services. Visit our Website: Software Company

  70. Greffe de Cheveux Turquie said:

    Thanks for your helpful information. I have been struggling to find many questions about this issue Thankyou

  71. Elayne P Haynes said:

    Gracias por arrojar luz sobre este tema, realmente ha ampliado mis conocimientos. CPS Test es el destino ideal para los entusiastas de hacer clic.

  72. BSNS Consulting said:

    Unlocking Digital business solution in pakistan with BSNS Consulting. Globally operating, we prioritise client success, embodying professionalism, and high service standards. Expect our best team of senior consultants for every task.

Leave a Reply