When I hear the positive thinking gurus – many of whom I hold in high esteem - speak on their topic, they often ignore a fundamental component of positive, empowered thinking. That component is freedom. Sometimes, in the rush to tie positive thinking to tangible benefits, they can sound like the NASA administrator looking for congressional funding for some program. They promise health, wealth, and happiness in return for your efforts.

The result of positive, empowered thinking might, indeed, be that you are healthier, happier, or wealthier, but the real benefit is that you are a free, empowered person.

Has it ever occurred to you that positive thinking is a freedom issue? What could be more freeing than the ability to command your own thought processes and use them to build the life you want? The power to think for oneself has been among the fundamental battles of humankind from the beginning. Since time immemorial rulers, religious bodies, or “the group” have sought to limit the power of the individual to think his or her own thoughts.

Our mainstream culture, in a nation that supposedly values freedom, demonstrates a consistent pattern of assault on that ability. The pressure is to conform and think like everyone else. The empowered, positive-thinking person always has the ability to override the external chatter and focus on creating the thoughts, words, and actions that best suits his or her needs. In short, these people have the power to create life rather than react to it.

Negative thinking, which is really synonymous with not having command of your own thoughts, is extremely disempowering – even debilitating. Why? Think about when a negative thought comes to mind. The emotions and feelings associated with the thought start to rise. Who is in control at that moment; you or the negative thought?

The fact is that people who think for themselves (i.e. positive, empowered people) are independent, capable individuals who can achieve just about anything. People who allow societal norms or other people to do their thinking for them (i.e. negative thinkers) quickly become dependent and unable to move forward in their lives.

This principle can be applied to any area of your life. If you want to be a better football player, is thinking positively or negatively about your skills more likely to get you there? How about being a better spouse or a better sales person?

When looked at in this vein it becomes clear that the ability to develop, manage, and maintain your own thinking tends towards greater personal freedom. That freedom is the basis on which greater achievement is possible.