Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Positive thinking

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Positive thinking

Some people have a habit of looking at the negative side and to focus on what could go wrong. This habit is developed over the years, and could be attributed to the education system. They do not acquire the skill of looking at the positive side.

Here is an example to illustrate my point. My friend, who is a skin specialist, wanted to create a website for patients to submit their case for consultation through the internet. I helped him to carry out a survey.

Several respondents to the survey pointed out why this approach would not work, as the specialist needs to see the patient to be able to give the right treatment.

They overlook to see the cases where this approach might work, e.g. where the symptoms are adequately described in the laboratory tests or medical reports. In these cases, a personal visit and examination may not be necessary.

Even if the specialists needs to see the patient before coming to a medical decision, the earlier submission of the medical reports and tests would be helpful in reducing the time that needs to be spent by the patient or the doctor at the visit. So, the website would still be useful.

If we learn to see the positive side, to see what can work (rather than what cannot work), we will have a different outcome. We need to learn to have a positive approach and see the positive side.

I wish to share a story that is almost 30 years old. A minister was chairing a meeting to develop a recreational facility for workers. The planners came and give several reasons why the site was not suitable. The minister asked them to go back and look for the reasons why the site was suitable. They planners came back with these positive reasons. The project went ahead. This story, which was told to me by a friend, showed that there is a positive and negative side to any issue. The correct approach is to see both sides and come to a balanced decision.

Tan Kin Lian

5 comments:

Anonymous said...: Yup, Mr Tan. It is quite true.; June 03, 2010 12:33 AM
Tan Kin Lian said...: Our education system has been focusing too much on the negative aspects. It is fashionable to be "the devil's advocate" and look for reasons why things will not work. The idea was that the negative points will be identified for preventive action to be taken.

Another common reason to avoid change is to bring out the "slippery slope". Any change will lead to a slippery slope for disaster.

In the real situation, the negative points were so overwhelming that nothing was done to change the situation. This is described as the "kiasu" symdrome, which is a characteristic of the Singapore psyche.

If Singapore is to be bold and innovative, we need to cultivate the positive thinking and get away from the negative thinking.; June 03, 2010 8:14 AM
C H Yak said...: There are 2 main issues with "Positive Thinking".

(i) Positiveness to admit "errors and mistakes" made

(ii) Positiveness to face and try for the "unknown and uncertain".

In trait (i) above, this is lacking in Singapore culture ... all the way up to our poltical leaders...the best example is the MM's admission of his mistake on the formulation of policies for MTL teaching. If his daughter is not a neuro-expert and had not made him realised ... the mistake would never be admitted and recorded in history.

This trait means that people must be able to take opinions and recognise their own faults and willing to go into a correction mode. Hence, Devil Advocates are required ... but they alone cannot create a full picture.

In trait (ii) above, we have taken small steps but not bold enough ... because these are individual steps or personal traits and not overwhelming enough as a positive culture for Singaporeans...the best examples are our handful entrepreneurs such as Creative's boss.

If fear is about the unknown, it is quite natural.

But if fear is within our system, to the extent of not daring to question our Authorities and taking things for granted; even if they are in the wrong, then there is indeed a problem with this culture of fear, especially when trait(i)exist all the way up to our political leaders.

This "slippery slope" fear as described by Mr Tan will certainly curtail our creativity and dare to change.

This trait is probably more significant. We still need the Devil Advocates and their opinions; but the "positive" culture must overwhelm these negative advocates...in the worst scenario and outcome of a failure ... we must have trait (i)...admit mistakes.

The above I think are "basics" above a positive culture which our education and political system must support and cater in order to create a more "positive" Singaporean culture.

Our educational system is not actually "focusing too much on the negative aspects" as suggested by Mr Tan, but it has the inherent defects...due to other objectives.

(i) It stops short of being exams-centric and educate just to look for and reward for DS solutions.

(ii) It seeks to create an "obedient" culture ... no questioning of the rights and wrongs ... especially on our political system and its implementation ... to paint a good picture.

(iii) It promotes elitism without educating the morals of admitting mistakes...while the political system supports the same culture.

(iv) "Double standards" - we promote positiveness in say sports but we create "all-round-defence" O-B markers in other areas because we want an obedient population ... as a result we could not or would never create a truly "bold and overwhelming" positive culture.

In managment language, we will always be "stuck in between"...and get no where ... in the pursuit of a more "Positive" culture. There will naturally be "positive" indivduals (such as Mr Tan) but not an overwhelming postive culture in uniformity.; June 03, 2010 10:14 AM
Parka said...: Negative thinking is actually a self fulfilling prophecy. If you think you can't, then you probably won't take steps to do it, and hence you can't.

Here are two good quotes to get into the positive thinking mode.

1. It's not what you don't know that will hurt you, it's what you know for sure that ain't so.

2. What's the worst that can happen? No, the absolute worst.; June 03, 2010 11:22 PM
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