How Successful People Think: Change Your Thinking, Change Your LifeJohn C. Maxwell_f3b10e64-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2aAuthorTo see clearly the path to personal success._f3b112c4-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2aTo engage you in an ogoing process that improves your thinking._f3b113be-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2aHumorHumilityExcitementCreativityFulfillmentHonestyPassionChangeBig PictureCultivate big picture thinking_f3b11490-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a1Big picture thinkers don't let the grind get to them, because they don't lose sight of the all-important overview. The know that the person who forgets the ultimate is a slave to the immediate.LearnLearn continually_f3b11580-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a1.1[C]onnect the unconnected... [E]xamine your day and look for opportunities to learn.ListeningListen intentionally_f3b11652-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a1.2LookLook expansively_f3b118e6-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a1.3LiveLive completely_f3b119d6-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a1.3FocusEngage in focused thinking._f3b11abc-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a2EnergyHarness energy toward a desired goal_f3b11bac-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a2.1IdeasGive ideas time to develop_f3b11c9c-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a2.2ClarityBring clarity to the target_f3b11d96-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a2.3FocusFocus on your goal to take it to the next level_f3b11e90-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a2.4Harry A. Overstreet observed, "The immature mind hops from one thing to another; the mature mind seeks to follow through."PrioritiesIdentify your priorities_f3b11f94-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a2.4.1Skills and TalentsDiscover your gifts_f3b12098-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a2.4.2If you're going to focus your thinking in your areas of strength, you need to know what they are.DreamDevelop your dream_f3b121a6-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a2.4.3As you get older and more experienced, the need to focus becomes more critical.CommitmentStay focused_f3b122be-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a2.4.4DistractionsRemove distractions_f3b123d6-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a2.4.4.1TimeMake time for focused thinking_f3b124f8-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a2.4.4.2SalienceKeep items of focus before you_f3b12624-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a2.4.4.3GoalsSet goals_f3b12750-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a2.4.4.4Your goals should be: * Clear enough to be kept in focus * Close enough to be achieved *Helpful enough to change lives. [B]e sure to write down your goals... David Belasco ... says, "If you can't write your idea on the back of my business card, you don't have a clear idea."ProgressQuestion your progress_f3b12886-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a2.4.4.5CreativityHarness creative thinking_f3b129bc-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a3[P]eople mythologize original thought. Most often, creative thinking is a composite of other thoughts discovered along the way... Because creativity utilizes the ideas of others, there's great value in being able to connect one idea to another -- especially to seemingly unrelated ideas... Creativity is being able to see what everybody else has seen and think what nobody else has thought so that you can do what nobody else has done.IdeasValue ideas_f3b12afc-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a3.1Creativity is about having ideas -- lots of them.OptionsExplore options_f3b12c46-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a3.2AmbiguityEmbrace ambiguity_f3b12d9a-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a3.3OddnessCelebrate the offbeat_f3b12eee-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a3.4ConnectionsConnect the unconnected_f3b1304c-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a3.5Because creativity utilizes the ideas of others, there's great value in being able to connect one idea to another -- especially seemingly unrelated ideas.FailureDon't fear failure_f3b131b4-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a3.6[C]reativity equals failure... Creative people ... don't let the ideas that don't work prevent them from coming up with more ideas that do work.Creative Self-DiscoveryFind the creativity within you_f3b13312-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a3.7Creativity KillersRemove creativity killers_f3b1347a-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a3.7.1QuestionsAsk the right questions_f3b135ec-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a3.7.2Sir Anthony Jay said, "The uncreative mind can spot wrong answers, but it takes a creative mind to spot wrong questions."EnvironmentDevelop a creative environment_f3b137d6-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a3.7.3Negative environments can kill thousands of great ideas every minute.OthersSpend time with other creative people_f3b1395c-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a3.7.4Your BoxGet out of your box_f3b13b00-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a3.7.5The most effective way to help yourself get out of the box is to expose yourself to new paradigms.RealismEmploy realistic thinking_f3b13c90-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a4Reality is the difference between what we wish for and what is.RiskMinimize downside risk_f3b13e48-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a4.1Actions always have consequences; realistic thinking helps you determine what those consequences could be... If you plan for the worst-case scenario, you can minimize down-side risk.TargetHave a target and game plan_f3b14014-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a4.2Hope is not a strategy... James Allen wrote, "Until thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment."ChangeCatalyze change_f3b141e0-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a4.3SecurityProvide security_f3b14442-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a4.4Disappointment is the difference between expectations and reality.Credibility[Gain] credibility_f3b1467c-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a4.5[A]sk realistic questions before casting vision.FoundationProvide a foundation to build on_f3b1487a-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a4.6Trouble[Have] something concrete to fall back on in times of trouble_f3b14a50-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a4.7FruitionBring the dream to fruition_f3b14c44-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a4.8If you don't take a realistic look at your dream -- and what it will take to accomplish it -- you will never achieve it.ImprovementImprove your realistic thinking_f3b14e38-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a4.9TruthDevelop an appreciation for the truth_f3b15036-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a4.9.1The truth will set you free -- but first it will make you angry.HomeworkDo your homework_f3b15234-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a4.9.2Some of my best thinking has been done by others!Pros and ConsThink through the pros and cons_f3b15446-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a4.9.3It rarely comes down to simply choosing the course of action with the greatest number of pros, because all pros and cons do not carry equal weight.,Worst-Case ScenarioPicture the worst-case scenario_f3b15644-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a4.9.4Resource AlignmentAlign your thinking with your resources_f3b15860-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a4.9.5One of the keys to maximizing realistic thinking is aligning your resources with your objectives.StrategyUtilize strategic thinking_f3b15a68-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a5Strategic thinking can make a positive impact on any area of life... [M]ost people try to plan their lives one day at a time... Fewer individuals plan their lives one week at a time... At the beginning of every month, I spend half a day working on my calendar for the next forty days.SimplificationSimplify the difficult_f3b15c8e-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a5.1Strategic thinking takes complex issues and long-term objectives, which can be very difficult to address, and breaks them down into manageable sizes.QuestionsAsk the right questions_f3b15f40-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a5.2CustomizationCustomize_f3b163aa-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a5.3Sloppy or generalized thinking is the enemy of achievement ...go beyond vague ideas and engage in specific ways to go after a task or problem.UncertaintyPrepare today for an uncertain tomorrow_f3b165f8-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a5.4[Build] the bridge that links where you are to where you want to be.Margin of ErrorReduce the margin of error_f3b1683c-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a5.5Line up your actions with your objectives.Influence[Capitalize on your] influence with others_f3b16a76-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a5.6If you practice strategic thinking, others will listen to you and they will want to follow you.PlansFormulate and implement plans that will achieve the desired objectives_f3b16cce-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a5.7Issue Break DownBreak down the issue_f3b16f30-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a5.7.1The first step in strategic thinking is to break down an issue into smaller, more manageable parts so that you can focus on them more intensely.JustificationAsk why before how_f3b17188-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a5.7.2Asking why helps you think about all the reasons for decisions. It helps you open your mind to possibilities and opportunities.Strategic RealityIdentify the real issues and objectives_f3b173e0-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a5.7.3Discovering your real situation and objectives is a major part of the battle. Once the real issues are identified, the solutions are often simple.Resource ReviewReview your resources_f3b17642-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a5.7.4Plan DevelopmentDevelop you plan_f3b178b8-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a5.7.5Start with the obvious. When you tackle an issue or plan that way, it brings unity and consensus to the team, because everyone sees those things. Obvious elements build mental momentum and initiate creativity and intensity. The best way to create a road to the complex is to build on the fundamentals.People and PlacesPut the right people in the right place_f3b17b74-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a5.7.6Even the best strategic thinking won't help if you don't take into account the people part of the equation.RepetitionKeep repeating the process_f3b17dea-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a5.7.7PossibilitiesExplore possibility thinking_f3b18074-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a6Big thinkers who make things happen also create possibilities for others... You invest yourself in what you believe can succeed. When you embrace possibility thinking, you believe in what you're doing, and that gives you energy... People with an it-can't-be-done mindset have two choices. They can expect the worst and continually experience it, or they can change their thinking.ImpossibilitiesStop focusing on impossibilities_f3b182fe-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a6.1ExpertsStay away from "experts"_f3b185e2-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a6.2SituationLook for possibilities in every situation_f3b18880-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a6.3DreamsDream one size bigger_f3b18b14-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a6.4Most people dream too small.Status QuoQuestion the status quo_f3b18da8-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a6.5InspirationFind inspiration from great achievers_f3b19118-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a6.6Robert F. Kennedy ... popularized George Bernard Shaw's stirring statement: "Some men see things as they are and say, 'Why?' I dream of things that never were and say, 'Why not?'"ReflectionLearn from reflective thinking_f3b193c0-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a7Most people would rather act than think. Reflective thinking ... encourages your thoughts to simmer until they're done. [It" enables you to distance yourself from the intense emotions of particularly good or bad experiences and see them with fresh eyes.TimeSet aside time for reflection_f3b1967c-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a7.1If you don't carve out the time for it, you are unlikely to do any reflective thinking.DistractionsRemove yourself from distractions_f3b19cd0-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a7.2Reflection requires solitude.Calendar/JournalRegularly review your calendar or journal_f3b19faa-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a7.3I don't use writing to figure out what I'm thinking and feeling. Instead, I figure out what I'm thinking and feeling, and then I write down significant thoughts and action points. (I file the thoughts so that I can quickly put my hands on them again. I immediately execute the action points or delegate them to someone else.) Calendars and journals remind you of how you've spent your time, show you whether your activities match your priorities, and help you see whether you are making progress. They also offer you an opportunity to recall activities that you may not have had the time to reflect upon previously.QuestionsAsk the right questions_f3b1a324-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a7.4The value you receive from reflecting will depend upon the kinds of questions you ask yourself.LearningCement your learning through action_f3b1a5fe-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a7.5Nothing helps you grow like putting your thoughts into action. To do that, you must be intentional... I always mark the takeaways in a book and then reread them when I'm done with the book... When most people go to a conference or seminar, they enjoy the experience, listen to speakers, and sometimes even taken notes. But nothing happens after they go home.PopularityQuestion popular thinking_f3b1a8c4-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a8Economist John Maynard Keynes ... asserted, "The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from the old ones." Popular thinking is .. too average ... too inflexible... too lazy... too small... too satisfied... too traditional... too naive... too undisciplined... too limiting... too trendy... too shallow... too proud... too self-absorbed... and too uncommitted... Kevin Myers sums up ... "The problem with popular thinking is that it doesn't require you to think at all..." It's easier to do what other people do and hope that they thought it out.ThinkThink before you follow_f3b1ac16-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a8.1If you want to succeed, you need to think about what's best, not what's popular. Challenging popular thinking requires a willingness to be unpopular and go outside of the norm... Unpopular thinking contains the seeds of vision and opportunity. [It] is required for all progress.DifferencesAppreciate thinking different from your own_f3b1af36-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a8.2Learn to appreciate how others think... [S]pend time with people of different backgrounds, educational levels, professional experiences, personal interests, etc.Self-QuestioningContinually question your own thinking_f3b1b238-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a8.3[E]very tradition was originally a good idea -- and perhaps even revolutionary. But every tradition may not be a good idea for the future.New Things/New WaysTry new things in new ways_f3b1b530-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a8.4DiscomfortGet used to being uncomfortable_f3b1b83c-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a8.5SharingBenefit from shared thinking_f3b1bb3e-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a9Good thinkers ... value the thoughts and ideas of others [and] receive the compounding results of shared thinking and accomplish more than they ever could on their own... Innovation comes from collaboration... If you combine your thoughts with the thoughts of others, you will come up with thoughts you've never had... [E]very great idea begins with three or four good ideas.Ideas of OthersValue the ideas of others_f3b1be4a-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a9.1CooperationMove from competition to cooperation_f3b1c160-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a9.2A person who values cooperation desires to complete the ideas of others, not compete with them.AgendaHave an agenda when you meet_f3b1c480-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a9.3I enjoy spending time with certain people... When I spend time with nearly anyone else in my life, however, I have an agenda. I know what I want to accomplish... [N]o matter with whom I meet, I have a reason for getting together and I have an expectation for what I'll give to it and get from it. That's true whether it's for business or pleasure.PeopleGet the right people around the table_f3b1c7a0-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a9.4CompensationCompensate good thinkers and collaborators well_f3b1caf2-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a9.5UnselfishnessPractice unselfish thinking_f3b1ce26-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a10OthersPut others first_f3b1d18c-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a10.1NeedsExpose yourself to situations where people have needs_f3b1d54c-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a10.2GivingGive quietly or anonymously_f3b1d894-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a10.3Once you have learned to give of yourself, then the next step is to give when you cannot receive anything in return.Investment in PeopleInvest in people intentionally_f3b1dbe6-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a10.4Think about how you can invest in the other person so that it becomes a win-win situation... [M]ost people want to make sure that they win first. Unselfish thinkers, on the other hand, go into a relationship and make sure the other person wins first.MotivationContinually check your motives_f3b1df42-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a10.5Bottom-LineRely upon bottom-line thinking_f3b1e2bc-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a11[I]f you run a non-profit or volunteer organization, how would you know whether you were performing at your highest potential? ... [W]hen you are clear about your mission, corporate goals and operating objectives flow from it... Bottom-line thinking makes it possible ... to measure outcomes more quickly and easily.IdentificationIdentify the real bottom line_f3b1e62c-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a11.1What's important is that you be as specific as possible. If your goal is for something as vague as "success," you will have a painfully difficult time trying to harness bottom-line thinking to achieve it. The first step is to set aside your "wants".The PointMake the bottom line the point._f3b1e9a6-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a11.2Sometimes ... an idealistically stated mission and the real bottom line don't jibe.Strategic PlanCreate a strategic plan to achieve the bottom line_f3b1ed34-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a11.3[T]here can be only one [bottom line], not two or three. Once the bottom line has been determined, a strategy must be created to achieve it... [T]hat often means identifying the core elements or functions that must operate properly to achieve the bottom line.AlignmentAlign team members with the bottom line_f3b1f068-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a11.4[A]ll team members should know the big goal, as well as their individual role in achieving it.MonitoringStick with one system and monitor the results continuously_f3b1f400-3161-11e0-8e6f-133b7a64ea2a11.52011-02-05https://www.johnmaxwell.com/store/products/How-Successful-People-Think.htmlOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net