Finding Positives in Negative Thinking
“Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.”
– Mark Twain
We’ve lived long enough to know that the world is governed by external factors we can’t control, and to be blunt, it neither cares about us or knows when it’s throwing us a curve ball. We need to fend for ourselves, because while the world is spinning around on its axis, we’re plain spinning out of control unless we learn to adapt to the uncertainties it tosses our way. That’s our leverage. That’s our ace-in-the-hole, at least for the moment (until the next surprise comes along).
That’s why it’s important to understand how we can use a little negative thinking to our advantage. Seems like an unlikely topic coming from me, doesn’t it?
I’m not one to dwell on negative thoughts or events. I believe wholeheartedly that positive thoughts breed the energy, motivation and mindset to achieve success. On the other hand, there’s one scenario in which negative thinking can result in actions that can make the difference between success and failure. Call it a little preventive medicine. Let me explain.
Some years ago, I was involved with an company that had bid on a project that would conceivably put them on the map, and literally change the face of how one particular industry conducts business. The implications were enormous. Lots of bucks, lots of press. New positions were created. Teams were broken out to design and create new functionalities. It was going well and everyone believed they left other contenders in the dust. They were a shoe-in.
Then one day, the manager called a staff meeting. He told them the project was a ‘no-go.’ Cancelled. Off the table. Imagine the reaction. No one counted on that – in fact everyone was riding on a high.
What were they going to do now with all the work, already in the can? They began to brainstorm. They came up with alternative ways they could modify their programs to serve a different audience and actually expand their processes to grow a larger market.
As it turned out, this manager was one shrewd cookie. No, the project had NOT been cancelled, but he realizing that it wasn’t yet carved in stone; and just because they believed it would be awarded to them, didn’t guarantee a thing. He realized too, that even though they had all their ducks in a row now, it didn’t mean they wouldn’t hit a snag later on.
They had put all their positive thoughts and energies into the possibility, but hadn’t considered their alternatives in the event of a loss. His little staged ‘wake-up call’ got their creative juices flowing.
The old Boy Scout in me, remembers the ‘Be Prepared’ motto all too well. Plan B by itself isn’t enough. Have a Plan C too, and be prepared for all the variables along the way. If you don’t, and you get hit by the next curve ball, you’ll be just as miserable as you were the first time you got shot down. Learn to manage expectations wisely.
Negatives are good as long as they can be turned into Positives. It’s simple math: When you multiply 2 numbers with the same sign, they become a positive. So, multiply 2 negative numbers and the solution is positive. Right? Think about the English language. Double negatives are positives. If I say, ‘Don’t eat your oatmeal,’ then I mean exactly that. But, if I said ‘Don’t not eat your oatmeal,’ you can be sure I want you to eat it.
Should your primary plan disappear tomorrow, the value of your back ups, come into play. Together, they create a positive charge, to energizing you and your team to adapt, grow and succeed. And BTW, the company I mentioned? Not only did they get the contract, but later went on to successfully implement their back up plans and expand their market.