How successful people think

Good thinking can do many things for you, generate revenue, solve problems and create opportunities. It can take you to the whole new level - personally and professionally.

The question is how to become a better thinker? And the answer is as follows:

1. Expose yourself to good input

Read books, listen to tapes etc. and whenever you come across a good idea then put it in writing.

2. Expose yourself to good thinkers

Sharp people sharpen one another just as iron sharpens iron. If you want to be a sharp thinker then be around sharp people.

3. Choose to think good thoughts

To become a good thinker you must be intentional about the thinking process. Make sure you put your ideas in writing.

4. Act on your good thoughts

Here is a six word formula for success: Think things through then follow through.

5. Use your emotions to think good thoughts

If you wait until you feel like doing something you will likely never accomplish it. Once you engage in the process of good thinking, you can feed the process and create mental momentum.

6. Repeat the process

Keep repeating the process of good thinking.

Big picture thinking

Big picture thinkers see the picture according to other people like their audience, how their audience think.

It allows you to lead, keeps you on target, allows you to see what others see and promotes team work.

Knowledge is power only if a man knows what facts are not to bother about.

Keep learning, growing and looking at the big picture! If you desire to be a good thinker, that’s what you need to do.

Thinking Question

Am I thinking beyond myself and my world so that I can think with a holistic perspective?

Focused thinking

Focused thinking removes distractions and mental clutter so that you can concentrate on an issue and think with clarity.

To stay focused you need to set goals: Goals should be clear enough to understand, close enough to be accomplished and helpful enough to change lives. Find the one thing you do well and don’t do anything else.

10-80-10 principle of delegation: Show the vision, give encouragement etc. then when 80% of task is complete, do the rest yourself like putting the cherry on the top.

Thinking Question

Am I dedicated enough to removing distractions and mental clutter so that I could concentrate with clarity on the real issue?

Creative thinking

Creative thinking draws people to you and your ideas, helps you learn more and challenges the status quo.

Think -> collect -> create -> correct -> connect

Once you begin to think, you are free to collect, you can ask yourself “What material relates to this thought?”. Once you have the material you ask “What ideas can make this thought better?” That can start to take an idea to the next level. After that, you can correct or refine it by asking “What changes can make these ideas better?” Finally, you connect the ideas by positioning them in the right context to make the thought complete and powerful.

Thinking Question

Am I working to break out of my “box” of limitations so that I explore ideas and options to experience creative breakthroughs?

Realistic thinking

Reality is the difference between what we wish and what is.

Until thought is linked with a purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment – James Allen

5 things to improve realistic thinking:

1. Develop an appreciation for truth

Learning to look at and enjoy truth.

2. Do your homework

First get the facts. When you approach a problem, strip yourself of preconceived opinions and prejudice, assemble and learn the facts of the situation.

3. Think through the pros and cons

Taking the time to really examine the pros and cons of an issue to give you a strong dose of reality.

4. Picture the worst case scenario

The essence of realistic thinking is discovering, picturing, and examining the worst-case scenario. Your goal isn’t to be negative or to expect the worst, just to be ready for it in case it happens. That way, you give yourself the best chance for a positive result - no matter what.

5. Align your resources with your goal

Looking at pros and cons and examining worst-case scenarios will make you aware of any gaps between what you desire and what really is. Once you know what those gaps are, you can use your resources to fill them.

Thinking Question

Am I building a solid mental foundation on facts so that I can think with certainty?

Strategic thinking

Plans - Make plans to fit circumstances not vice versa.

To become a better strategic thinker able to formulate and implement plans that will achieve the desired objective, follow the following guidelines:

1. Break down the issue

Break down an issue into smaller, more manageable parts so that you can focus on them more effectively.

2. Ask why before how

Asking why helps you to think about all the reasons for decisions. It helps you to open your mind to possibilities and opportunities.

3. Identify the real issues and objectives

Once the real issues are identified the solutions are simple.

4. Review the resources

How much time do you have? How much money? And so on.

5. Develop your plan

Start with the obvious, build on the fundamentals.

6. Put the right people at the right place

7. Keep repeating the process

The will to win is worthless if you do not have the will to prepare.

Thinking Question

Am I implementing strategic plans that give me direction for today and increase my potential for tomorrow?

Possibility thinking

Possibility thinking means solutions to a problem are possible.

Winners focus on I can, I will, I am whereas losers focus on what should have been done.

If you want possibility thinking to work for you, then begin by following these suggestions:

1. Stop looking for impossibilities

The first step in becoming a possibility thinker is to stop yourself from searching for and dwelling on what’s wrong with any given situation.

2. Stay away from the experts

If you want to achieve something believe that it is possible no matter what experts say.

3. Look for possibilities in every situation

Leadership quality: Look for the good that other people are doing and apply it.

4. Dream one size bigger

If you dream 10 size bigger today, 25 years from now u will regret that why haven’t I dreamt of 50 times bigger.

5. Question the status quo

Growth means change. Change requires challenging the status quo. When you become a possibility thinker, you will face many people who will want you to give up your dreams and embrace the status quo. Achievers refuse to accept the status quo.

6. Find inspiration from great achievers

“Some men see things as they are and say, ‘Why?’ I dream of things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’ – George Bernard Shaw.

Thinking Question

Am I unleashing the enthusiasm of possibility thinking to find solutions for even seemingly impossible situations?

Reflective thinking

1. Reflect on past events. Reflective thinking is just like children understand the sacrifices that their parents made only when they themselves become parents.

2. Reflective thinking allows you to see the tragedies with truth and facts.

3. Reflective thinking strengthens your intuition.

Apply the following suggestions to increase your ability to think reflectively:

1. Set aside time for reflection

Greek philosopher Socrates observed, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

2. Remove yourself from distractions

Reflection requires solitude.

3. Regularly review your Calendar and Journal

Calendars and journals show you whether your activities match your priorities and help you see whether you are making progress.

4. Ask right questions to yourself

While reflecting think in terms of your values, relationships, and experiences.

5. Put your thoughts into action

Thinking Question

Am I regularly revisiting the past to gain a true perspective and think with understanding?

Question popular thinking

Benefits of unpopular thinking

1. Think before your follow others

2. Appreciate thinking different from your own

Spend time with people from different backgrounds, education levels etc.

3. Continually question your own thinking

If you are too attached to your own thinking and what is being done now then you won’t change.

4. Try new things in new ways

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

5. Get used to of getting uncomfortable

Popular thinking is comfortable so you have to get used to being uncomfortable. Unpopular thinking asks questions and seeks options.

Thinking Question

Am I consciously rejecting the limitations of common thinking in order to accomplish uncommon results?

Shared thinking

Good thinkers know that when they value the thoughts and ideas of others, they receive the compounding results of shared thinking and accomplish more than they ever could on their own.

Shared Thinking is faster, more innovative, mature and stronger than Solo Thinking

Sharing thinking is similar to people sharing among themselves.

Leadership philosophy: Right people, at the right time and for the right purpose.

Thinking Question

Am I consistently including the heads of others to think “over my head” and achieve compounding results?

Unselfish thinking

1. Unselfish Thinking Brings Personal Fulfilment

Few things in life bring greater personal rewards than helping others.

2. Unselfish thinking adds value to others

3. Unselfish thinking encourages other virtues

If you can learn to think unselfishly and become a giver, then it becomes easier to develop many other virtues like gratitude, love, respect, patience, discipline, etc.

4. It increases quality of life

5. It increases the quality of life of the giver and the receiver.

6. Unselfish Thinking Creates a Legacy

When you think unselfishly and invest in others, you gain the opportunity to create a legacy that will outlive you. Learn -> earn -> return to others (gratitude)

To begin cultivating the ability to think unselfishly, I recommend that you do the following:

1. Put others first

Make a mental and emotional commitment to look out for the interests of others.

2. Expose yourself to situation where people have needs (serve at church etc.)

You can serve at your church, make donations to a food bank and so on.

3. Give quietly/anonymously

Once you have learned to give of yourself, then the next step is to learn to give when you cannot receive anything in return.

4. Invest in people intentionally

Create win-win situation in every relationship. Unselfish thinkers go into a relationship and make sure that the other person wins first and that makes all the difference.

5. Continually check your motives

Ask what good am I going to do today in morning? and what good I have done today in night?

6. Give while you live

Givers are happier than getters.

Thinking Question

Am I continually considering others and their journey in order to think with maximum collaboration?

Bottom line thinking

If you have a job, your work has a bottom line. If you serve in your church, your activity has a bottom line. So does your effort as a parent or spouse.

Bottom line thinking provides greater clarity, helps you assess every situation, helps you make the best decisions, generate high morale and ensures your better future.

Thinking Question

Am I staying focused on the bottom line so that I can gain the maximum return and reap the full potential of my thinking?

Final words

1. Everything begins with a thought.

“Life consists of what a man is thinking about all day.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

2. What we think determines who we are. Who we are determines what we do.

“The actions of men are the best interpreters of their thoughts.” - John Locke

3. Our thoughts determine our destiny. Our destiny determines our legacy.

“You are today where your thoughts have brought you. You will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” - James Allen

4. People who go to the top think differently than others.

“Nothing limits achievement like small thinking, nothing expands possibilities like unleashed thinking.” - William Arthur Ward

5. We can change the way we think.

“Whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely are of good report. If there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; think on these things.” - Paul The Apostle