Neutral Thinking: Conquering Negativity Through Objectivity
This book is about “Neutral Thinking”, a term that the author coined and defined as a “non-judgmental, and non-reactive way of assessing problems before taking action”.
The author was a mental conditioning coach. If a workout routine or a physical training is for the body, he frames Neutral Thinking as the equivalent training for the mind. He further explains that it came about as a response to the general advice of “just think positive”, or of positive thinking. He writes “sometimes positive thinking is impossible, […] and in some cases, can be hurtful. […] Positive thinking isn’t the most effective antidote to negativity. Neutral Thinking is.“
In its earlier inception and upon working with his clients, the author originally called it “non-negative thinking”. He figured that this wasn’t an easy call-to-action to remember, and he put a branding package around it. Some of his clients are big names in the sporting world, and there are plenty of American sports figures and references in this book.
Some of the activities seem to fall more on suppressing emotions. And after having read, Peak Mind, the advice to ignore your emotions seems unfounded. As the author of Peak Mind wrote, suppressing emotions also takes up cognitive space. The better advice would have been to notice the emotion, acknowledge it and let it pass by.
Now there is a pall that casts over this book. The author details his battle with cancer. On further research, he lost that battle late last year. This was heavy. The point of achievement and winning through self-improvement seemed pale in comparison to mortality.
Nevertheless, the book contains the usual self-improvement advice. Find out what your values are, Create behaviors and habits towards your goals. Limit distractions. Create rituals. Surround yourself with good team members. Get a good coach.
Self-help through a sports and competition lens. Self-help for achievement.
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