I read (or listen to) alot of non-fiction books. Most of them deal with business development, psychology, self improvement, happiness, etc.
In many of the books I’ve read, it’s often repeated that positive thinking can have dramatic effects on health and performance.
In my younger days, I valued truth, the TMI-kind that reveled in the raw and taboo. I inappropriately judged being overly positive as being untruthful as it doesn’t necessarily allow for the negative perspectives to be expressed with equal weight.
I’m ready to put aside the values of my youth.
I’ve spent a considerable amount of my mental energy throughout the years refining my ability to see the negatives in all things. I surmise that’s what’s allowed me to make improvements in my own life, as my tendency for rigorous scrutiny has simultaneous helped me to achieve success, yet sadly, destroy the joys of any achievement as there’s always another peak, always another way that’s just a little better. Fortunately, it’s what makes me a decent art director too. I don’t allow the truths of other minds with less data to affect my calculated decisions on what’s good for the company.
I think it’s time to swing the pendulum back the other way because I feel I’ve reached the maximum level of efficiency in my ability to discern the negatives of any circumstance or thing. I’ve been refining that skillset so long, it’s automatic, it’s reached the level of wu wei.
Ironically, my ability to discern the negatives applied to the efficacy of my discernment of the negatives compel me to change.
Does that make sense?
There’s a concept I’ve learned recently that has helped me to see why positive thinking may be of benefit:
Tetris Effect. “The Tetris effect occurs when people devote sufficient time and attention to an activity that it begins to overshadow their thoughts, mental images, and dreams.”
Just as I caused my own Tetris Effect of seeing the negatives in all things, with practice I can easily cause a Tetris Effect of seeing positives in all things.
I was reading 177 Mental Toughness Secrets of the World Class recently that seemed to correlate with the Tetris Effect. I know the title is somewhat haughty sounding and hokey, but don’t discredit it. It’s a great, easy to read book. It has very short chapters, and concise action items on how to become… erm World Class. Soon you will be a World Champion ready to take on M. Bison!
One of the short chapters states that “Thoughts and feelings of gratitude seem to elevate the performer’s consciousness to a higher plane than is accessible through any other means… they are aware of the triggers that create a mental climate conducive to this state of mind. Gratitude is the mindset of choice when they need to awaken the giant and tap their genius.”
I would surmise that the reason gratitude seems to allow access to a state of flow is that it absolves all fear. When you cause an Tetris Effect of positive feelings and thoughts to occur, there is no longer loss being accentuated as a potential result, therefore creating the least path of resistance towards action that moves towards success.
There’s a lizard brain inside of all of us. Negative consequences awakens our Lizard brains. We must allow ourselves to use our higher brain functions to manipulate, even subdue, the Lizard.
177 Mental Toughness Secrets of the World Class recommended listing 10 things for which one is grateful, and then reviewing them over a period of a week, and seeing the emotional impacts, so here’s my list.
If you are so inclined, why not consider doing running the experiment with me? Eh Eh? Print yours out. Read it every morning, and throughout the day.
I am grateful for:
1. The kitties are super.
2. I’m happy to have an intelligent, hottie girlfriend.
3. I’m glad I have non-divorced, sane parents that raised me well.
4. I’m happy that I have a great job with bosses that trust me with a great deal of responsibilities.
5. I’m glad there are “fans” who appreciate my work, and those who let me know that somehow, I have inspired them.
6. I’m glad I live 2 minutes from a great Pho restaurant. Also grocery, bank, public library.
7. I’m glad I am financially stable and can pay for personal health insurance.
8. I really like this little heater next to my desk, and my NookColor.
9. I’m glad I’m healthy, and have all my limbs.
10. I appreciate that I live in the United States. It seems to allow for maximum freedom.
Thanks for reading.
Be Good. Do Good. Spread Good.
;j
For various reasons, I too use a gratitude list regularly and its effectiveness is pretty amazing. Early in January I joined (rather reluctantly, since I tend to be skeptical of such things) about 12 people in a daily gratitude email group. A gratitude list alone is a powerful tool, but gratitude shared seems to be even more effective. On days that I feel frustrated or discouraged for whatever reason, it is particularly empowering because it never fails to have some positive effect. Thanks for writing about it.
Nice Read!..I am always up for real optimism and having an overall gratitude for all things given to you, may it be negative or great..will make you as a person who has nothing to lose
fine results are, clean self-esteem, determination, a sense of purpose and a lot to look forward too when you wake up morning! 
Again thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and inspirations Jim. Truly a knight of honor. 
Great blog post dude. A question on the list itself, do we add to it on a weekly basis or keep it the same?
They didn’t really specify. They just said, list 10 and concentrate on them for one week.
I’d figure it would probably be beneficial to continue to concentrate on 10 a week regardless if they are different or not.
Positive vibes are definitely the way to go! It’s amazing how finding the negative in things can be very effective in getting you somewhere, but how much more rewarding things seem when you look for the positive. As an artist, I am somewhat of a failure (when it comes to making money), but I still love every minute of illustration and design because I’m always learning something new with every sketch and finished piece. Sure, I can be harsh on my work, but if I didn’t see the positive in the learning experience I would have given up long ago.
Keep up the awesome articles, Jimiyo!
Glad to see this Jimi, I’ve really appreciated your attitude whenever I have been in contact with you and I enjoy where you are directing Teefury. Positive thinking and being grateful are important to success in every aspect of life and i’m glad to see someone putting the effort to encourage others to try it.
Keep up the superb work and spread the positivity.
i appreciate your attitude and willingness to evolve. PMI!