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July 13, 2025

Proactivity > Positive Thinking

How doing beats just thinking.

The idea of "positive thinking" is everywhere. We're encouraged to cultivate optimistic thoughts, believing they'll shape our reality.

What if focusing solely on positive thoughts is actually holding us back?

Positive thinking can sometimes become a passive, feel-good exercise -- a way of wishing for change without doing anything to create it. It can keep us in our heads, disconnected from the practical engagement that truly moves us forward.

What if, instead of just thinking positively, we focused on acting with initiative, even in small ways?

Positive actions are:

  • Direct: They involve immediate engagement with the world, not just mental rehearsals.

  • Practical: They are tangible steps we can take, regardless of how we feel.

  • Progressive: Each small positive action can build upon the last, creating unstoppable momentum.

  • Habit-forming: Consistent positive actions develop into sustainable habits that shape our lives.

  • Resilience-building: Taking action, especially in the face of challenges, builds our capacity to cope and adapt.

It's the difference between hoping for a clear path (positive thinking) and taking the first step to clear it yourself (positive action).

Think about an area in your life where you tend to lean mostly on hope-based, positive thinking. What positive action -- even if a tiny one -- could you take in that area this week?

Mindfully,
/rajesh

Read more:

  • Action Is The Inspiration

    What if action was the inspiration you've been waiting for?

  • Work Ethic > Values

    What if we let our values emerge from our actions?

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