Positive thinking… or maybe lazy thinking?

Have you noticed that much of what’s promoted as ‘positive thinking’ is really lazy thinking or even, let’s face it, daft thinking?

It’s something that’s bothered me ever since I got caught up in my own fuzzy buzzy phase a few decades ago.

Yes, I fell for that Group Think: ‘the experts know best’ belief for a while – from the late 60s to about the mid-70s, in fact. And like many others, I spent a lot of time, energy and money attending workshops presented by a variety of New Age and positive thinking gurus, most of who were from outside the UK and who had come here to tell us what to think.

Belonging – shared values

In those early days, it was fun and exciting. And warm and fuzzy. You got to know the other fans of the different groups, made new friends, and felt well valued, and like you belonged to groups of people who shared your own values. Or appeared to.

Yet it gradually (very gradually) dawned on me that we fans and followers were suspending our critical thinking ability to fit in with and be part of the crowd.

There were things you did and things that you didn’t do.

There were things that you said and that you didn’t say.

There were many unspoken ways to “be cool”, which, if you didn’t adhere to them, could result in your being shunned.

Don’t challenge or question

One of the things that you didn’t do was ask the presenters awkward questions. 

The Group Think was that they knew best. They were the all-knowing experts, so you listened, accepted, absorbed, and believed.

You did not question them.

People who asked questions were disruptive.  They punctured the fuzzy bubble. They brought the cold wind of critical thinking into the warm and cosy group atmosphere. 

People like me, in fact. I gradually returned to thinking for myself and asking awkward questions of the leaders.

This didn’t make me popular.

The group leaders did not like being challenged.  Because one persistent questioner was enough to puncture the happy, clappy bubble. And their style of leadership needed this bubble to ensure people would sign up for the next workshop or course!

So, as the questioner, I became less popular with the different group leaders or presenters or experts. And this disapproval was recognised by the rest of the group.  And I realised that I could go with the flow and have lots of ‘friends’ – or think for myself and have fewer Friends!

And that’s why our Pegasus NLP courses have always celebrated critical thinking.

It’s why, since the mid-90s, participants in our courses have been invited to be active participants, to ask lots of questions, and to think critically. and to be challenging.

It’s why our Pegasus NLP by-line states We respect your intelligence, your individuality, and your integrity.

(Originally published February 2020, revised April 2023)