Positive thinking offers no immunity from problems, frustration, and disappointment. That you are a positive thinker does not mean problems and discouragement will not come.
However, what positive thinking does for you is that it helps you to see opportunities in the midst of problems, frustration, and disappointments. People miss opportunities in life, not because of anything order than the fact that they fail to see opportunities inherent in the “ugly” situation they find themselves.
In his book, A Year of Growing Rich, Napoleon Hill, the author of the famous motivational book, Think and Grow Rich, narrated a story that really impacted my life positively. In the story, a man put up advert for the sale of his large plot of land. Only two persons bid for it. One of the bidders opted to pay low price for the land because the land was covered by bamboo, which he thought made the land practically worthless. The other bidder made an offer twice as high and bought the land. He cut the bamboo into fishing poles and sold them for enough money to pay the price of the land!
One of the benefits of positive thinking is that it places you in a position to see opportunities in any seemingly unpleasant situations. Where others see worthlessness, you see significance; where others see impossibilities, you see possibilities; where they see failure, you see victory; and where they see ugly situation, you see great opportunities.
Positive thinking also helps you to focus on the good, while ignoring the bad. Sometime ago, during my Chamber Attachment, I used to experience problem of getting back home late at night because of scarcity of vehicle plying Banex to Mpape- all in Abuja. Now, as close as Banex is to Mpape, you would not find a vehicle from there to Mpape, and most times, I would wait on the road from 6pm to 10pm or thereabout to find vehicle going to Mpape.
On one occasion, as I was discussing this “bitter” experience with another passenger waiting for Mpape vehicle, I struck an idea which I shared with the man. “Look”, I said: “One lucrative business I am going to invest in here is transport business. If I start with a mini bus, I would make a lot of money within a short time.”
Without giving thought to what I said, the man reacted on impulse: “You cannot make money from transport business. It is the driver that will be siphoning your income.” He then cited the case of a transporter in his neighbourhood who complained that his driver had not given him a kobo for the last two weeks and that it was after the two weeks had passed that he informed him that the vehicle had not been in order since that two weeks, and so did not use the vehicle since then.
It is really sad that many people have so trained their mind to focus on the bad aspect of anything, idea, or situation, that they forget to see the good side of it. The effect of looking at the ugly side of any situation or idea is that by focusing on the negative aspects, you ignore the great opportunities embedded in the situation or idea.
If you must look at the bad side of anything, do so with the aim of finding concrete solution to it. But don’t let that makes you to ignore the good aspect.
Positive thinking helps you to succeed where others fail. Success will always be a mirage to those who fail to see opportunities in adversity.
Look for the Good
The surest way to prosperity is to look for the good in any situation you find yourself.
Are you unemployed or is your income so low that it cannot sustain you? Then, remember the advice of Richard Branson, the British Billionaire: “The best thing to happen to any young person is to be in the business of his own.”
I don’t know the situation you are in today, but I can assure you that right in the midst of that situation, there are great opportunities that will lift you up beyond your wildest imagination.
Every cloud has a silver lining. Yes, there is a silver lining behind that cloud of despair you are experiencing now. You need to look for it. Ask yourself: “what good can I find in this situation? How can I deal with this situation? What money making idea can I generate to overcome my present predicament? What opportunities are embedded in this situation I am in?
As you ask yourself these questions, endeavour to write down ideas that come to your mind. Write any ideas that occur to you. When you have gathered enough ideas, take time to examine them critically. Select one or more of these ideas to start with, taking cognizance of the one that holds greater prospect. Work hard at bringing these ideas into reality.
Think Positively
As you work hard at bringing these ideas into reality, things may not turn out the way you think. There may be obstacles, difficulties, or disappointments. But all these need not stop you on your way to prosperity. Remember, a positive thinker does not give up, because he can always positively think his way out of any situation. Keep fighting. Keep working hard until you succeed.
A positive thinker is one who uses obstacles, difficulties, and disappointments as steppingstones to greatness.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you must succeed at first attempt. At times, life may demand much more from you. In that case, you may have to try and keep trying until you succeed.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nigerian nationalist and political leader said: “The glory is not in never falling, but in rising each time you fall.”
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