Is the glass ALWAYS half full?
Is negative thinking ALWAYS bad?

This page describes how so-called negative thinking can be essential and should be valued and used. Positive thinking, equally, can be negative and unhelpful.

Negative thinking is bad - the glass is ALWAYS half full, isn't it?

In almost every situation, we are constantly being urged to see the glass as half full and to THINK POSITIVELY.

It is a very seductive plea, and it sounds so reasonable, and, therefore, it must be right, must it not?.

I mean, who could argue against it?

And if someone had the temerity to describe the glass as half empty, they may find themselves soon set upon by the "positivity warriors" who will censor them into submission.

Does this really happen?

Yes, too often, in my experience and opinion.

Does it matter?

Yes because it does damage on two levels:

1. it has the effect of closing down exploration of causes and data and interpretations and perceptions, all of which may provide vital insights and understanding and connections and ideas about root causes and possible solutions and decisions and change

2. it has the effect of hurting relationships and weakening communications and learning and trust and respect as people are made to feel foolish or small or put down (by the superior positive thinkers).

Yes, but when people are being negative doesn't that do damage too?

It sure does, especially when someone is, or is perceived to be, displaying negative thinking and behaviours as a regular habit or pattern.

As ever, there are two sides to this story. There are pluses and minuses to "positive thinking" just are there are to "negative thinking".

The secret of success is in getting the balance right and this usually involves five keys:

1. develop the ability to diagnose the appropriate match between the situation and the thinking.

When "negative thinking" is needed (e.g. to avoid superficiality and get down to root causes), then encourage it and do it and make the process explicit so as not to get stuck there

2. value different thinking and use both positive and negative thinking appropriately.

Think of it this way, if we completely agree with each other about absolutely everything, what can we achieve?

Usually, very little, other than to perpetuate what we have done before.

Both negative and positive thinking have value. Learn to appreciate and use both appropriately

3. do not make it personal.

The "be positive" cry, even if not intended this way, is often received as a personal criticism and as an inferior state to positive thinking (when did you last hear the cry, "be negative", stated as a positive?).

As George Bernard Shaw is reported to have said, "all progress depends on the 'unreasonable' man".

4. start with yourself.

For example: raise your self awareness and recognise when you may be thinking and behaving negatively, or acting as "a positivity warrior", and get some feedback from trusted others from time to time.

Use the learnings gained to develop your capacity to deliver the three points above.

5. Finally, if someone perceives that the glass is half full and they then simply impose that on everyone else with the cry, "be positive", they do themselves, the situation and others no favours.

Someone else (YOU?), may need to suggest that if the glass is half full, it is also half empty (by definition) and maybe a better outcome can be achieved by looking at things from BOTH perceptions.

Click here for some positive thinking quotes and phrases.

Positive thinking and negative thinking BOTH have a legitimate place.
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