Positive thinking carries a stigma. It is often perceived as something superficial: "just smile and it will all pass," "don't get worked up," "think of the good things." It seems to be about rose-colored glasses, about pretending that pain does not exist.
But this is a stereotype. And it is far from reality.
What It Really Is
Positive thinking is not denial. It is the ability to see broader. To see the pain—and to see that besides it, there is something else. At the same time.
It does not mean "don't look at the problem." It means: look, but not only at one point. To see defeat—and to see that it does not erase the whole person. To see uncertainty—and to see that there are supports nearby.
When the perspective widens, pain no longer becomes everything. It remains. But it stops occupying the entire horizon.
What Follows
Positive thinking is the foundation. And resilience, the ability to endure, calmness at the start—that is what grows from it.
Resilience. The athlete does not break from failure. Because failure is a part of the picture, not the whole picture.
The ability to endure. They can find themselves in a tough situation without falling apart. Because they see: this is not forever. And there is something worthwhile to continue for.
Calmness. They approach the start without trembling. Not because they are not afraid. But because they know: whatever happens, they remain themselves.
I am more than my pain.
When a person sees the big picture, something important happens. They understand: they might feel pain. But there is something more important than this pain. They want more. Because they are more than their pain.
They are not equal to their pain. Pain is a part of them. But not all of them.
And Then the Choice Appears.
One can pull oneself together and move on. Make the next attempt if it is the same start. Support oneself. Choose how to respond.
And what if one only sees their pain? Then the person falls into a victim position. Into a wounded position. And from this position, they begin to act. Perhaps unconsciously. Perhaps destructively for themselves and others.
The difference is not whether a person is in pain or not. The difference is whether they see something beyond the pain.
This is backed by research.
The connection between resilience and sports performance is not an abstraction. It is a proven fact.
A systematic review by Mastroianni and colleagues (2025), published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, analyzed 13 studies involving 4400 athletes. The results showed that high resilience is directly linked to improved sports performance and better psychological states during recovery. The authors directly recommend incorporating resilience training into programs for the preparation and rehabilitation of athletes.
This means: positive thinking is a specific skill that helps the athlete remain resilient and achieve results.
How It Works with a Logotherapist
I work as a logotherapist. And in this work, there are no tips or ready-made recipes. There is a path we walk together.
Together we learn to notice where our gaze is directed. And if pain occupies everything—that is not a verdict. It is a point from which to start expanding the picture.
We learn to shift focus. To ask ourselves the question: "What else is here right now?" The body. Breathing. People nearby. Something that is taking shape even when it is hard. We learn to simply observe—what else good is happening around besides my pain. What else do I see? Notice? What supports me?
We learn to see what exists. Not just the wound. But also how a person holds up. How someone is nearby. How life continues.
And gradually, step by step, an inner resilience is formed. That inner feeling that does not depend on results. That remains with a person—both on the field and beyond.
This resilience is not limited to sports. It permeates all areas. In relationships. In work. In life after a career.
What It Ultimately Gives
Positive thinking is not about becoming convenient. It is about remaining whole.
It provides resilience. The ability to endure. Clarity. And contact with oneself—even when it is hard.
Sports come to an end. But this skill—remains.