Practical thinking over Positive thinking
Why Practical Thinking and Planning Outperform Positive Thinking and Platitudes
In recent decades, the “power of positive thinking” has become a cultural mantra. Books, motivational speakers, and social media feeds overflow with affirmations like “just believe in yourself” or “think good thoughts and good things will happen.” While there’s value in optimism, the problem arises when positive thinking is treated as a substitute for action. Without strategy and follow-through, positivity risks becoming little more than wishful thinking.
The Trap of Platitudes
Platitudes feel good in the moment. They’re easy to repeat, easy to post, and easy to consume. But they don’t tell you what to do next. If your golf game, career, or relationships aren’t improving, repeating “everything happens for a reason” won’t magically fix the problem.
The truth is that blind optimism can create two traps:
Complacency – You believe things will “just work out” without making the effort.
Frustration – You keep hoping, but when nothing changes, your self-belief crumbles.
Why Practical Thinking Wins
Practical thinking doesn’t reject optimism—it grounds it. Instead of focusing on how you want things to be, it zeroes in on what steps are required to get there.
For example:
A golfer who struggles with putting could either “think positive” about sinking the next putt, or they could track their misses, practice on a putting mat, and create a pre-shot routine. Which do you think leads to lower scores?
An entrepreneur could repeat affirmations like “I’m destined for success” or they could map out a 30/60/90-day plan with milestones, budgets, and measurable goals. Guess who’s more likely to build a sustainable business?
Practical thinking is not pessimistic—it’s realistic. It acknowledges challenges and prepares for them, turning obstacles into manageable problems rather than sources of despair.
The Planning Advantage
Planning transforms hope into execution. When you plan, you:
Break large goals into smaller, achievable steps.
Anticipate risks and prepare solutions.
Measure progress so you know if you’re actually improving.
Build resilience, because you’ve considered contingencies.
This doesn’t mean eliminating positivity. Optimism fuels motivation, but planning directs that energy. Think of positivity as the spark, and planning as the engine that moves you forward. Without the engine, sparks fade.
Takeaway
Positive thinking has its place—it can lift your mood, boost your confidence, and get you started. But it’s not enough. If you want real results, trade empty platitudes for practical thinking. Replace “just stay positive” with “what’s the next step?” When optimism meets planning, that’s when progress happens.