Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
The Art of Positive Thinking summary
Elizabeth R. Brown
Eliminate Negative Thinking I Emotional Intelligence I Stop Overthinking
18 mins
Table of Contents
The Art of Positive Thinking
Summary of 5 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 5
Start by becoming aware of your thoughts
First, let’s clarify what we mean by “positive thinking,” because there are some common misconceptions.
No one expects you to be optimistic all the time, or constantly happy. That’s just not realistic.
Also, positive thinking isn’t all about you. It’s important to think positively about others too – not just yourself.
For instance, let’s say a friend gets a promotion, and you’re a bit jealous. You don’t have to try to turn that into a positive thought about yourself. Instead, see it as a chance to practice positive thinking by being genuinely happy for your friend.
And if you find that hard, don’t worry. We’re not born positive thinkers – quite the opposite, in fact. We’ll come on to that later.
Still, thinking positively is something you can learn and get better at over time – and it definitely takes time, by the way. Changing your mindset doesn't happen overnight. It's a process that requires regular effort and practice, as you become more mindful of your own thoughts.
An important part of this journey is paying attention to what goes on in your mind – even the thoughts that seem to just pop up on their own.
Here’s something to try. When you're doing an everyday activity that doesn't require total concentration, like walking the dog or cooking a meal, take a moment to notice your thoughts. Are they positive, negative, or just random? If you notice some negative thoughts, that’s okay. At this point, the aim is simply awareness.
Once you’re aware of your thoughts, you can start to understand your mindset better. And this understanding is the foundation for learning to think more positively. It's worth making the effort because changing your thoughts has real rewards.
Positive thinking can enrich your life in so many ways, from your personal happiness to your work and relationships. By changing the way you think, you can slowly move towards a more optimistic way of seeing the world, leading to a more fulfilling life.
In the next sections, we’ll show you how.
Want to see all full key ideas from The Art of Positive Thinking?
Key ideas in The Art of Positive Thinking
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Art of Positive Thinking about?
The Art of Positive Thinking (2023) is a guide to positivity as a practice. Through regular, simple exercises, we can all learn to change our mindsets, and improve the quality of our lives.
The Art of Positive Thinking Review
The Art of Positive Thinking (20XX) by Elizabeth R. Brown is a book that teaches us how to shift our mindset and cultivate positivity in our lives. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It provides practical strategies for adopting a positive outlook, helping us navigate life's challenges with resilience and optimism.
- Amidst relatable anecdotes and inspiring stories, the book teaches us how to reframe negative thoughts and nurture a positive mindset.
- This book goes beyond positive thinking, offering actionable steps to create lasting changes in our attitudes and behaviors, making personal growth engaging and achievable.
Who should read The Art of Positive Thinking?
- Pessimists
- People who struggle with anxiety or negative thought patterns
- Anyone who wants to experience a greater sense of well-being
Categories with The Art of Positive Thinking
Book summaries like The Art of Positive Thinking
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Art of Positive Thinking FAQs
What is the main message of The Art of Positive Thinking?
The main message of The Art of Positive Thinking is that positive thinking can lead to a happier and more fulfilling life.
How long does it take to read The Art of Positive Thinking?
The reading time for The Art of Positive Thinking can vary. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Art of Positive Thinking a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Art of Positive Thinking is worth reading as it offers practical advice for cultivating positivity and improving one's mindset.
Who is the author of The Art of Positive Thinking?
The author of The Art of Positive Thinking is Elizabeth R. Brown.
What to read after The Art of Positive Thinking?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Art of Positive Thinking, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Level Up by Rob Dial
- Building a Non-Anxious Life by John Delony
- 100 Ways to Change Your Life by Liz Moody
- Don't Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen
- The Negativity Fast by Anthony Iannarino
- Why Motivating People Doesn't Work ... and What Does by Susan Fowler
- A Year of Positive Thinking by Cyndie Spiegel
- Mindset by Carol Dweck
- Don't Overthink It by Anne Bogel
- Do the New You by Steven Furtick