The Scratch Golfer's Mindset Podcast
Paul Salter
#91: Toxic Positivity: Why “Just Stay Positive” Holds You Back
Episode Notes
What if the very “stay positive” mindset you’ve been praised for is actually keeping you stuck?
In this solo episode of The Scratch Golfer’s Mindset Podcast, I call out toxic positivity for what it is: emotional avoidance dressed up as optimism.
We dig into why the golf world has gone too soft, how repressing anger and discomfort quietly drains your energy and focus, and why elite performers train themselves to operate when conditions are far from perfect.
You’ll learn how to replace false cheer with authentic optimism—the relentless belief in yourself to handle hard things—using a simple three-step framework: Acknowledge, Accept, Act. We’ll talk negativity bias, energy management, and why sitting with uncomfortable emotions turns them into teachers and fuel.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- The difference between toxic positivity and authentic optimism
- Why “be happy all the time” backfires on the course and at work
- How negativity bias hardwires you to scan for threats—and what to do about it
- The Acknowledge → Accept → Act playbook to perform under pressure
- How to use anger and discomfort as focused fuel, not dead weight
If you’re ready to stop plastering a smile over struggle and finally play (and live) to your potential, this one’s for you.
Get your pencils ready and start listening.
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