The positive power of negative thinking: The SWOT Analysis
Posted on Feb 1st, 2007
by 
Duff
Duff
Thinking positively is important. Reminding one's self of the things one has to be grateful for, what one loves, asking "what's great about this?" or "how can I use this?" are all wonderful things.
Thinking negatively is also important, and has gotten a bad name. In this post, I will make the distinction between two kinds of negative thinking: contingency planning and destructive (or non-constructive) thinking. Destructive thinking is exactly what it sounds like--thinking in ways or about things that cause harm to one's self and others. An example would be to think of all the ways in which one absolutely cannot reach a desired goal, using harsh and self-abusive language and frames. Non-constructive thinking is just useless, like daydreaming endlessly about what one wishes they had without ever moving to planning and action phases.
There are also two kinds of positive thinking I could talk about (pollyannish and melioristic), but for now I'll focus on the positive power of negative thinking.
Some positive thinkers of the pollyannish variety (unrealistically optimistic), have thrown the baby out with the bathwater in villifying negative thinking. But like the negative white space on a canvas, or the spaces between notes in a song, the negative sets an important frame for the positive and affects the gestalt.
In particular, there is a simple tool called a SWOT Analysis that helps to balance both positive and negative thinking in an intelligent way, utilizing contingency planning or strategic planning. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. SWOT Analyses are generally used to evaluate business ventures, but why not use it to think about your relationship, your fitness goals, your health, and your spiritual practice?
So many people get excited about new goals but don't think them through and end up dissappointed due to poor planning. Doing a SWOT Analysis at the beginning of working on a new goal can help evaluate whether the goal is even feasible, and if so, how to proceed intelligently.
How to SWOT your problems like a fly
To do a SWOT analysis, first decide on a goal or area of life that you'd like to do some thinking about.
Next, take a piece of paper and draw a horizontal and vertical line through the center to create four quadrants (Wilber fans, please note these quadrants are unrelated to AQAL). In the upper left, at the top of the quadrant, write "Strengths." Similarly, in the upper right, write "Weaknesses," in the lower left, write "Opportunities," and in the lower right, write "Threats."
Strengths and Weaknesses in this context are attributes of the individual or organization that are helpful and harmful to achieving the stated goal. Opportunities and Threats refer to external conditions that are helpful and harmful to achieving the stated goal.
Write down as many items in each category as you'd like. Be honest with yourself. Ideally, get your mentors, peer group, and other specialists to look over your SWOT with you. Otherwise it's just a subjective exercise, and is limited by your knowledge and experience.
Next, ask the following questions:
1. How can I use each Strength to its fullest?
2. How can I account for or overcome each Weakness?
3. How can I take advantage of each Opportunity?
4. How can I defend against each Threat?
Once you have completed the analysis, create a project plan or Next Actions, or throw out the goal if it no longer seems feasible!
Other resources on SWOT Analyses:
Thinking negatively is also important, and has gotten a bad name. In this post, I will make the distinction between two kinds of negative thinking: contingency planning and destructive (or non-constructive) thinking. Destructive thinking is exactly what it sounds like--thinking in ways or about things that cause harm to one's self and others. An example would be to think of all the ways in which one absolutely cannot reach a desired goal, using harsh and self-abusive language and frames. Non-constructive thinking is just useless, like daydreaming endlessly about what one wishes they had without ever moving to planning and action phases.
There are also two kinds of positive thinking I could talk about (pollyannish and melioristic), but for now I'll focus on the positive power of negative thinking.
Some positive thinkers of the pollyannish variety (unrealistically optimistic), have thrown the baby out with the bathwater in villifying negative thinking. But like the negative white space on a canvas, or the spaces between notes in a song, the negative sets an important frame for the positive and affects the gestalt.
In particular, there is a simple tool called a SWOT Analysis that helps to balance both positive and negative thinking in an intelligent way, utilizing contingency planning or strategic planning. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. SWOT Analyses are generally used to evaluate business ventures, but why not use it to think about your relationship, your fitness goals, your health, and your spiritual practice?
So many people get excited about new goals but don't think them through and end up dissappointed due to poor planning. Doing a SWOT Analysis at the beginning of working on a new goal can help evaluate whether the goal is even feasible, and if so, how to proceed intelligently.
How to SWOT your problems like a fly
To do a SWOT analysis, first decide on a goal or area of life that you'd like to do some thinking about.
Next, take a piece of paper and draw a horizontal and vertical line through the center to create four quadrants (Wilber fans, please note these quadrants are unrelated to AQAL). In the upper left, at the top of the quadrant, write "Strengths." Similarly, in the upper right, write "Weaknesses," in the lower left, write "Opportunities," and in the lower right, write "Threats."
Strengths and Weaknesses in this context are attributes of the individual or organization that are helpful and harmful to achieving the stated goal. Opportunities and Threats refer to external conditions that are helpful and harmful to achieving the stated goal.
Write down as many items in each category as you'd like. Be honest with yourself. Ideally, get your mentors, peer group, and other specialists to look over your SWOT with you. Otherwise it's just a subjective exercise, and is limited by your knowledge and experience.
Next, ask the following questions:
1. How can I use each Strength to its fullest?
2. How can I account for or overcome each Weakness?
3. How can I take advantage of each Opportunity?
4. How can I defend against each Threat?
Once you have completed the analysis, create a project plan or Next Actions, or throw out the goal if it no longer seems feasible!
Other resources on SWOT Analyses:
Access: Public
business
April 2008 