Right Effort: Approach Versus Avoidance

**Is there a difference in practice between *approaching* positive states and *abandoning* negative states?** I have tried for a long time to abandon the negative, which in my case is not too severe (e.g. not drugs, nor physical violence, etc.), but seemingly the focus on abandoning seems less efficient than actually *approaching* constructive states, such as doing meditation or exercising. If one's problems are not too severe, should one prioritize *doing* virtuous behaviours (e.g. meditation) above trying to limit the negative? I had read in psychological texts that an attitude based on approach can be superior to one based on avoidance. **Is such a distinction made in Buddhism in any way?**