How to Actually Think Positive (Without Faking It)

You’ve heard it your whole life: “Just think positive.”

That phrase has probably been thrown your way during tough times, moments of stress, and while facing big decisions. But here’s the problem…

Most of the time, that advice feels fake.

It feels disconnected from the real pain, real problems, and real financial pressure you might be facing.

But what if real positivity isn’t about ignoring what’s hard but learning how to evaluate it differently?

In my latest episode of the Money Ripples Podcast, I had the honor of welcoming back someone I’ve respected and learned from for over a decade: Dr. Paul Jenkins.

He’s not just a psychologist. He’s someone who understands the real world. He’s lived through financial hardship, raised a family, built a career, and developed what he calls “pathological positivity” a mindset rooted in both science and principle.

And in our conversation, he dropped a truth bomb: positivity isn’t something you fake—it’s something you train.

The Real Job of Your Brain

Here’s what most people don’t understand: Your brain has one primary job—to keep you safe and to prove you right.

That’s it.

So when you hit a challenge maybe an investment loss, a downturn in your business, or a family issue your brain immediately starts evaluating: Is this good? Is this bad? Is this safe or dangerous?

And it often defaults to the negative.

That’s not weakness. That’s wiring.

But here’s the secret that Dr. Paul taught me (and now, I share it with you): You can become aware of those thought patterns and choose a different one.

Comparison Is the Thief of Your Sanity

If you want to know why you’re feeling anxious or discouraged, look at your comparisons.

As Dr. Paul explained, our emotional state is directly tied to how we compare our current reality to a different imagined standard.

When you compare your life to something better than what you have, you feel worse.

When you compare it to something worse, you feel better.

This is why gratitude works. It’s not just a feel-good exercise it’s an intentional reset of your emotional energy.

When I went through my own financial struggles early on, what helped me stay grounded wasn’t pretending everything was great. It was realizing it could be worse—and then choosing to move forward with hope.

Anxiety vs. Hope: Your Imagination Is the Key

Dr. Paul also made this brilliant point: Anxiety and hope are both rooted in imagination.

Anxiety comes from imagining the worst-case scenario.

Hope comes from imagining the best.

And guess what? Both are choices.

We can’t know what’s going to happen next week, next quarter, or next year but we can choose what we project forward.

This isn’t “wishful thinking.” This is a mental discipline. One that impacts everything from how you lead your family to how you manage your investments.

Why This Matters for Financial Freedom

I always say financial freedom isn’t just about dollars it’s about choices.

But here’s the truth: you won’t make the right financial choices if your mindset is off.

I’ve seen clients panic over temporary dips in investments, stress about passive income not arriving on their schedule, or freeze up completely during transitions.

That’s not a math problem. That’s a mindset problem.

And solving it starts by becoming aware of your thoughts just like Dr. Paul teaches—and choosing a new standard of comparison.

Your Brain Is Equipment Learn How to Use It

Dr. Paul says it best: “My job is to illuminate the obvious.”

And when he breaks down how your brain judges, compares, and imagines, you start to realize something empowering:

👉 You’re not broken you’re just untrained.

Once you learn how to operate the equipment of your mind, everything changes.

You stop reacting to life. You start creating it.

And that’s what I want for you not just financial independence, but the emotional resilience to enjoy it, grow it, and use it to bless others.

Want a Quick Start?

Dr. Paul is offering a free digital copy of his mini-book, “Portable Positivity.”

Grab it here: drpauljenkins.com/moneyripples

It’s the perfect crash course to begin retraining your mindset—and experiencing the ripple effect that comes from true, lasting positivity.

Let’s stop pretending to “think positive” and start living positively, on purpose.