You have to train your brain to be positive just like you work
Hear the words of Shawn Achor, who peers into the hidden chambers of the mind and declares: “You have to train your brain to be positive just like you work out your body.” This saying is not a fleeting phrase, but a revelation that the mind is no less a muscle than the arm or the leg. Just as the warrior cannot wield his sword without practice, nor the runner endure without training, so too can the spirit not rise to joy without discipline. Positivity is not an accident of fortune; it is a skill, sharpened daily, a strength forged in repetition, perseverance, and will.
The ancients understood this truth though they spoke it in other words. The Stoics taught that the mind must be disciplined like a soldier at dawn, standing ready against the ambush of sorrow and fear. They knew that if one let the mind wander unchecked, it would grow soft, vulnerable to despair. Thus they counseled daily exercises: reflection, gratitude, preparation for hardship. And this is what Achor echoes—he calls us to treat positivity not as a gift bestowed by chance, but as a craft to be honed like steel in the fire.
Consider the story of Nelson Mandela. For twenty-seven long years, he sat in the darkness of prison, his body chained, his freedom denied. Many would have surrendered to bitterness or despair. Yet Mandela trained his mind each day as if it were an athlete’s body: he focused on hope, on the vision of freedom, on reconciliation rather than vengeance. When at last he walked free, his spirit was not broken but stronger than ever. His positive discipline transformed not only himself but an entire nation, proving that the mind, trained in hope, can overcome even the harshest chains.
The origin of Achor’s teaching also lies in the discoveries of modern science. Psychologists and neuroscientists speak of neuroplasticity—the truth that the brain rewires itself through habit and thought. Negative thoughts carve deep paths that drag the mind downward. But repeated acts of gratitude, resilience, and joy create new trails, stronger with each step. Thus, positivity becomes not mere illusion but a tangible architecture of the brain, built through steady training as one builds strength through weights and toil.
The danger lies in thinking that joy will come naturally, without effort. Just as the farmer cannot expect harvest without sowing seed, or the athlete cannot expect strength without sweat, the seeker cannot expect lasting happiness without training the mind. To neglect this is to remain weak before the storms of life. But the one who disciplines the mind toward gratitude, who lifts the weights of forgiveness, who runs the miles of hope, will find themselves unshaken when trials descend.
So, let the lesson be this: positivity is not a fleeting mood but a chosen practice. It must be cultivated through daily action. Each time you face hardship, seize the opportunity to redirect your mind toward what is noble. Each time you feel despair, replace it with one thought of hope, however small. Over time, the habit becomes strength, and the strength becomes character. This is the true training of the inner self.
Practical steps are clear. Begin your mornings with gratitude—list three blessings before the day begins. End your evenings with reflection—note where you grew, not just where you failed. Speak words of encouragement to others, for in uplifting them, you strengthen your own discipline. Guard your mind as you would your body: do not feed it only with fear and complaint, but nourish it with wisdom, beauty, and truth. Practice daily, for training the mind, like training the body, is won not in a single act but in constant devotion.
Thus remember Shawn Achor’s wisdom: the brain, like the body, is a vessel to be trained. To train your brain to be positive is to rise above circumstance, to wield joy as both shield and sword. And when you master this art, your presence will shine like a warrior of light—unyielding in hardship, unbroken in trial, and a living testament that the strongest muscle of all is the human spirit.
TNDuc Thang Nguyen
This quote raises questions about accessibility and equality. If positivity can be trained like a muscle, do all individuals have the same opportunities to develop it, or do circumstances like socioeconomic status, trauma, or mental health challenges make it harder for some? I’m curious about practical frameworks or programs that teach these skills effectively, and whether they can be integrated into education, workplaces, or community initiatives to improve collective well-being.
YNLam Yen Nhi
I’m intrigued by the implication that positivity is not automatic but cultivated. Does this mean that by practicing mental exercises, we can enhance resilience, emotional intelligence, and overall life satisfaction? I also question whether there are risks to forcing positivity—could it become a form of suppression or toxic optimism? How do we strike a balance between genuinely training our brain and acknowledging valid negative emotions?
NNNguyen Ngoc Nga
This statement makes me think about the role of discipline and consistency in developing a positive mindset. Just as physical workouts require routine and effort, could small daily practices like gratitude exercises, reframing challenges, or mindfulness strengthen positivity over time? I also wonder how societal and environmental factors affect our ability to train our brain, and whether external stressors can limit the effectiveness of these ‘mental workouts.’
L912. Phan Nguyen Phuc Lam 9/11
Reading this, I feel intrigued but also skeptical. If the brain can be trained like a muscle, does that mean negative thinking is a habit that can be reversed? Are there scientific studies that support this idea, and how does it intersect with mental health conditions like depression or anxiety? I’m curious whether training positivity is equally effective for everyone, or if individual circumstances heavily influence outcomes.
VPNguyen vu phong
I find this analogy compelling because it frames positivity as a skill that can be developed rather than an innate trait. But it also makes me wonder about the practical methods for training the brain—are there exercises similar to mental workouts, like journaling or meditation, that can build positivity? How long does it typically take to see results, and are some people more naturally predisposed to optimism than others?