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The Power of Positive Thinking
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Learn the key ideas of the book by Norman Vincent Peale

The Power of Positive Thinking

How to use our thoughts to shape our lives

Many people believe that our thoughts do not have the power to influence our reality, but this is only what our subconscious is accustomed to telling us. In reality, if we change our mindset, and practice thinking positively, we can create the conditions to achieve exactly what we desire. Positive thinking, therefore, helps us to attract happiness, energy, and calm towards ourselves. In his book, The Power of Positive Thinking, Norman Vincent Peale explains this theory, describing how we must re-educate our mind to visualise images based on optimism, hope, trust, and love. If we believe with conviction, and if we carry out simple daily tasks to strengthen our positive thoughts, a happier and more fulfilling life is within reach.

The Power of Positive Thinking
Read in 15 min.
Listen in 19 min.
IDEA CHIAVE 1/11

Training to change our mindset is fundamental to becoming a new person

The emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius said: 'A man's life is what his thoughts make of it.” While it is true that our life is conditioned by external factors, for the most part, it is determined by the thoughts that occupy our mind. If we think in a certain way, we create the conditions for our thoughts to turn into reality, but by simply thinking another way, we will create completely different conditions.

The psychiatrist Karl Menninger said: 'Attitude is more important than facts'. Regardless of what happens in our life, it is how we approach things, even the most difficult or seemingly hopeless situations, that really matters. The way we think about a problem has the power to destroy us, even before we actually start to address the issue itself. On the other hand, a mindset rooted in optimism and faith can help us to rethink, and even overcome, that obstacle. 

Our thoughts determine our emotions and, although it may be hard to believe, they also help create the circumstances on which our mind is focused. If we are worried about the outcome of a conversation, for example, our thoughts will lead us to take micro-actions, which will create the very outcome we feared all along. If we want to change our circumstances, therefore, we need to train ourselves to think differently. We must avoid passively accepting anything that does not make us happy, while constructing thought patterns that help us create the circumstances we would like. 

In order to train ourselves to think positively, we must learn to visualise clear and strong images of what we desire, for example, images of love, happiness, contentment, or prosperity. We should always remember to have unwavering faith in every moment of our lives, and this faith must evolve into the ultimate belief that our vision will come true.

The following is an exercise to train positive thinking: for one week, we should make an effort to only think positive thoughts, pushing the negative ones out of our mind, and deliberately thinking optimistically about our life, family, job, or society in general. We should then allow ourselves to return to our 'realistic' thoughts for a couple of days, and we will realise that what we thought was a realistic mindset was actually pessimism, and it was hurting us.

  

The key ideas of "The Power of Positive Thinking"

01.
Training to change our mindset is fundamental to becoming a new person
02.
We can overcome worry with the right language, and by coming to appreciate silence
03.
We can ward off negative emotions by intercepting their symptoms, and thinking positively
04.
Solving problems and facing obstacles is possible, by tapping into the power that already lies within us
05.
Spirituality, activity, and creativity are essential for healing pain, or overcoming bereavement
06.
Positivity, love, and enthusiasm are the keys to constantly having a high energy level
07.
Positive thinking is the key to strengthening our self-belief
08.
With a natural and genuine interest in others, we will gain appreciation and respect
09.
Combined with a deep faith in expectations, positive thinking allows us to be happy
10.
Quotes
11.
Take-home message
 
 
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