Episode 102: The Dangers Of Positive Thinking

Last time we started pulling back the curtain on the toxicity that exists in the self-help industry. Today on the Happier Approach we examine one of the most toxic ideas pushed by the industry: positive thinking. One of the most misleading concepts that the self-help industry teaches is the benefit positive thinking – change your thoughts and stop feeling so negative! If it were that easy – if all we had to do was put on our rose-colored glasses – why are so many people still depressed, anxious and overwhelmed? It is my theory that the self-improvement industry is selling the wrong thing. We don’t need to simply “think positively.” Instead, we need to quiet the cacophony of positive thinking messages that come our way on a daily basis--and listen in to our own inner peace. Listen to the full episode to find out: How the message of positive thinking is holding us back and even harming us Where our belief in the positive psychology movement originated How research contradicts the claims of the positive psychology industry has been selling you And practical tools and resources that you can use in place of just “looking on the bright side' Some of the research and resources mentioned in this episode: Martin Seligman, the originator of Positive Psychology Journal of Personality and Social Psychology study by Prof Brett Ford and Prof Iris B. Maus The Happier Approach System:  A.S.K. Gabrielle Oettingen Her book Rethinking Positive Thinking  And her W.O.O.P. system  Peter M Gollwitzer Oliver Burkeman’s book The Antidote: Happiness for People Wo Can’t Stand Positive Thinking  My books on living with High Functioning Anxiety And how you can Visit: https://NancyJaneSmith.comLearn More About Self Loyalty School: https://selfloyaltyschool.com