One thing you should learn about any mental enhancement technique is that the speed with which you obtain results from it varies from time to time and from situation to situation. However, the more you use it, the better you get at it.

Then, this noon, while I was attending a lecture on Productivity and Quality, and pretending to be taking notes, I hit upon this idea.

One of the most prevalent monsters out there in the world of self help or what-have-yous is:

Negative thinking.

That's right, ladies and gentlemen. You've been told - or rather we've been told that we should avoid negative thinking like the plague. Between the devil and the deep blue sea, we'd rather watch re-runs of 'Teletubbies' (at least those creatures seem happy) than entertain one single negative thought.

Ready for the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

Avoiding negative thinking is not the way! Pollyannaic positive thinking simply won't do!

Before you throw your tomatoes at Mr Peale, stop!

What, are we to revert to our old ways now? No, and yes.

You see, I've learnt something these past few days. The more we try to ignore negative thinking, the more negative thoughts will come to our mind. This is especially true if we've been incessant, notorious negative thinkers all our lives.

Old habits die hard. Old habits that are intangible, that are deeply rooted in the mind, die even harder.

The only way I know of to fight die-harder-than-usual old habits is to employ the Zen-like tactic of avoiding fighting. I read of this somewhere in some book. I think it was from a Chin-Ning Chu.

Avoid fighting? Sounds crazy, doesn't it? It's some variation of reverse psychology at work.

But I've added more elements to it, to make it even better. My cure isn't really a cure, it's more like a prescription. It's a set of things you have to do to NOT stop your negative thinking, but rather, turn your negative thinking into more constructive thinking.

First, embrace your negative thoughts as a natural part of your being.

Let's face it. All your unique, beautiful, varied emotions, feelings and experiences are there for a purpose. To live. Some people advocate doing away with anger. I say they're stupid. Anger is useful when appropriately needed. It's there, it's got to have a purpose for existing. Some people advocate doing away with your material cravings. I say they're crazy.

The key is to embrace it, to accept it, to acknowledge it, then, stop. Don't give any more power to it by surrendering your concentration on it unnecessarily.

Second, ask yourself some constructive, effective questions to help you find something - anything - to do. Something practical to deal with the situation.

Here's where effective questions come into play. Something along the lines of -

"What can I do about this thing? How can I remedy the situation?"

"What options do I have? What is the best option I have?"

"What is the best way to use what available resources of time, energy, thoughts and materials that I have to construct an ideal or at least more tolerable circumstance?"

Third, think one good thought for another person, not for you, let it go, then, believe that your good thought will be rewarded, and returned to you tenfold.

Perhaps you have a problem with positive thinking because you simply can't do away with the belief that you don't deserve the best in life. You are in the so-called state of self-punishment.

So what can you do? Direct your positive thoughts towards someone else, other than you.

You can do this to someone close, a loved one, but it's even better, and it will be more effective if you direct your positive thought to complete strangers, or people who do not have that much stake upon your emotional/social life.

Or try on someone you really dislike (not to the point of hate).

You shall be surprised.

For instance, I pass by an elderly stranger while walking to school. I simply will in my mind that she will have a fruitful day today, a satisfying day, a happy day, when her friends and family (if she has any) will treat her well, and everything will be fine.

Then I let it go and expect that good thought to be reciprocated to me tenfold.

I always believe that we shall be rewarded for our good even if it is worth the weight of an atom. And usually the reward is multiples greater than the worth of our good. Even if it is but a thought and not something tangible.

You can also try on someone who doesn't seem to like you no matter how you treat him or her. Someone who treats you in a cold manner, or rudely.

Forgive that person (if it is appropriate), wish him / her good thoughts, and let go.